Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eALKZx919492; Tue, 21 Nov 2000 15:35:59 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 15:35:59 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <AD5E58DFD6B0D411813300508BDFAF103F75E7@WDCROBEXC02> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Young, Glenn" <Glenn_Young@ed.gov> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:3282] RE: workplace accommodations X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Status: O Content-Length: 7003 Lines: 161 Anne - thanks for the question, and the effort to address the needs. I too place high value on literacy instruction, its just that from personal experience, and well as the experience of so many others I know - learning to read takes a long time for persons with LD ... and others as well. For me it is not an issue of a binary choice of literacy instruction or work ... it is an issue of sequencing and priority. For so many, especially those on welfare or in need of work for so many other matters ... timeliness is critical - so ... it may be "work first" "literacy second" - but both are very important and valuable --- and of course the more literacy ... the higher the wage ... so.. To answer your question - I think June Crawford sent you in many of the right directions concerning information and the efforts that NIFL and OVAE are funding - so I won't repeat here . I just want to add a few other locations As a Fed ... It is not right for me to propose individual company's products as a solution.... so ... I will just say that what cost $40,000 for a scan and read computer now cost as little as $20.00 for the software... and this is just the beginning of what can be done. and of course - so many accommodations are free - such as oral instruction rather than written. And some things are very simple, like the use of a tape recorder so instructions can be played over as needed. SO ... not to promote private company's individual products ... let me point you to some additional governmental or non-profit web sites that you can see the wide array of products available at very low costs. please check out www.disability.gov for a wide range of issue on disability. Also ... please look at www.LDONLINE.org, which is primarily a site for children with LD - they have an extensive section on asssitive technology as well. also if you do a www search under "assisitive technology" ... you will find many locations including such places as: http://www.sedl.org/rural/seeds/assistivetech/atld.html Southwest Educational Development Laboratory 211 East 7th Street, Austin, TX 78701-3281 * (800) 476-6861 * FAX: (512) 476-2286 E-mail: webmaster@sedl.org * Internet: www.sedl.org/sedl/welcome.html and The AT Network was developed by The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers under contract with the California Assisitive Technology System (CATS). http://www.atnet.org/ Many of these sites will be more geared towards persons with physical disabilities - the Texas one is LD, and many of the tools offered in others are appropriate for persons with LD. there are even training programs on-line to become an expert in assistive technology - Here is extensive info on issues from a Penn. School system. http://ide.ed.psu.edu/ITSC/dev/dassisti.htm [Table of Contents] [ITSC Main Menu] Assistive Technology Introduction Your school or district must meet the needs of students who require assistive technology. As a technology specialist, you must have the knowledge to provide disabled learners access to learning environments that would otherwise be off limits. Your Objectives By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Define assistive technology. Describe Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (1992). Discuss how assistive technology can be used to help students with disabilities. Describe how to obtain funding for assistive technology, Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (1992), assistive technology implementation strategies, and funding sources. To demonstrate this competency: Use the information from the resources below, along with your own research and experiences to learn all that you need to demonstrate this competency. Submit your answer to this competency by following the submission guidelines provided at the ITSC Main Menu . Related Resources Here are some resources that you may wish to drawn upon as you complete your tasks: http://ide.ed.psu.edu/ITSC/dev/dassisti.htmPennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) 1992. Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.asel.udel.edu/at-online/programs/tech_act/PA.html Description: Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) mission, goals, and accomplishments are discussed at this Website. What Are Assistive Technology Devices? Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.asel.udel.edu/at-online/devices/#type Description: Describes nineteen different assisitive technology devices and how they are used. Assistive Technology On-Line Main Menu Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.asel.udel.edu/at-online/assistive.html Description: A thorough collection of funding sources, articles, definitions, seperated into Information Types and Technology Types. Federally Funded Programs Related to Assistive Technology Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.asel.udel.edu/at-online/programs/ Description: This Website contains links to federally funded programs related to assistive technology. The Node: Adaptive Technology Resources for Practitioners Type of resource: Web site Source: http://node.on.ca/tfl/adaptive/ Description: This Website offers practical help in ensuring websites are inclusive and can be interpreted by assistive devices such as as text-based browsers and screen readers. There are links to tools, articles, organizations, and mailing lists related to assistive technology. Assitive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/assistive_technology.html Description: Michael M. Behrmann defines assistive technology and describes how different assistive devices can be intergated applied in instruction. So - I hope that this has been helpful Glenn Young -----Original Message----- From: Anne Murr [mailto:anne.murr@DRAKE.EDU] Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 2:41 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-LD:3279] workplace accommodations Last summer Glenn Young challenged my thinking about literacy instruction in this manner - it takes too long for LD adults to learn to read. Get them to work first. Find the accommodations, the technology to make them successful and productive on the job. Then literacy can be addressed. A group of adult literacy and ABE providers in Des Moines has begun meeting to identify how we can prepare adults with low literacy skills to improve their job skills. Because of Iowa's very low unemployment rate, there are jobs waiting for these persons once their skills are in place. My question to Glenn and whomever else has experience in this, what are inexpensive, easily applied accommodations, technology, supports which will give persons with low literacy skills the opportunity to be successful on the job? And by the way, I will continue to place high priority on literacy learning! Anne Murr Adult Literacy Center Drake University Des Moines, IA 50311 515-271-3982 anne.murr@drake.edu
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