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 j8GK3vG24422; Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:03:57 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:03:57 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <20d.9691a0b.305c7eaf@aol.com> 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: RKenyon721@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:4849] Dr. Christopher Lee - Day 1, Sept. 19, 2005 X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Mailer: 9.0 Security Edition for Windows sub 5200 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Status: O Content-Length: 6456 Lines: 131 Hello Everyone: Monday, September 19, 2005 will be Day 1 of the NIFL-LD weeklong assistive technology question and answer segment. My goal for this week is to send out assistive technology resources primarily in the form of web links. I have designed the topics to be both broad (e.g. UDL) and very specific (e.g. independent pieces of software). Based on the fact that everyone has busy schedules I expect questions on some of the resources I send out to be delayed until time becomes available for you to review the resources. I will respond to your questions and if applicable send them out to the NIF-LD list. On Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, I will have a special treat. I will be sending out a website link for everyone to download some free products to experiment with in your classroom setting. I realize that feedback may be delayed on these products based on time constraints and class schedules. Here we go. The following resources are being sent out a few days early so members will have an opportunity to prepare and submit questions on the first day - Monday, Sept. 19th. Day One: Monday, September 19, 2005 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) features into your classroom whether it is in your curriculum or the strategies you use. It is not a straightforward task but with knowledge of current resources and helpful software tools it can be done. The goal of this session is to offer you some resources to access for future training and support. Over the last several years there has been a paradigm shift in the field of assistive technology (AT) towards the relatively new term called Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Prior to this shift one of the primary goals for assistive technology providers was to look at the student’s functional limitation and match it with the appropriate AT. Then the student could access the information which would hopefully enhance the learning. Today there is a different philosophical and technical trend toward UDL and AT becoming more about education and less about strictly access. Relatively early disability legislation focused on architectural barriers; making it possible for individuals with physical and sensory limitation to access buildings and other venues. With the passage of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (LAW 508) a new philosophy emerged in the disability field. Instead of just focusing on architectural barriers the shift has moved to electronic and informational barriers. For individuals with learning disabilities this law has, and will, change lives for the better. With the passage of 508 and other laws individuals with disabilities will one day be able to easily access the same information as everyone else. The Universal Design for Learning paradigm is about examining the whole design of the environment the students is working in; whether it be using an operating system, accessing a website, or reading a book in alternative format. In other words, not just focusing on tools (assistive technologies). As service providers and individuals with disabilities we want solutions. Better yet, one tool that offers unlimited and equal access to learning. If that “one tool” dream is ever going to become a reality it will be based on the integration of Universal Design for Learning principles. Universal Design for Learning System, Classroom Tips & Training Resources WebAim: Is Your Website accessible for a screen reader? Check out WAVE 3.0 and run your system URL (web address) through WAVE 3.0. This only takes a second and is very cool. _http://www.wave.webaim.org/index.jsp_ (http://www.wave.webaim.org/index.jsp) Illinois Accessible Web Publishing Wizard for Microsoft Office: Takes your PowerPoint and helps to make it better. This site provides alternatives to built-in web publishing features of Microsoft Office and simplifies creating accessible and standards compliant HTML versions of Microsoft Office documents. _http://cita.disability.uiuc.edu/software/office/index.php_ (http://cita.disability.uiuc.edu/software/office/index.php) CAST: Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST has earned international recognition for its development of innovative, technology-based educational resources and strategies based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Check out the Teaching Every Student (TES) section which supports educators in learning about and practicing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). CAST: _http://www.cast.org_ (http://www.cast.org) TES: _http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent_ (http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent) The Teaching Every Student (TES) section of the CAST Web site supports educators in learning about and practicing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). EASI: EASI's mission is to serve as a resource by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities. This site stays informed about developments and advancements within the adaptive computer technology field and spreads that information to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, libraries and the workplace. EASI's Home page on the Web is located at: _http://www.easi.cc_ (http://www.easi.cc) Kentucky UDL Project: This is a link to an article on the NASDSE website detailing the work of Kentucky, New York, California, and Ohio in implementing UDL principles. This article is a dated 2003, but still gives some good UDL Program background. _http://www.nasdse.org/publications/udl.pdf_ (http://www.nasdse.org/publications/udl.pdf) Books Coming in September, 2005! The Universally Designed Classroom: Accessible Curriculum and Digital Technologies. Edited by David H. Rose, Anne Meyer, and Chuck Hitchcock. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press, 2005. Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning by David H. Rose and Anne Meyer. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2002. Learning to Read in the Computer Age by Anne Meyer and David H. Rose. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books, 1998. I look forward to getting your questions beginning on Monday. Christopher M. Lee, Ph.D., Director Alternative Media Access Center 331 Milledge Hall Athens, Georgia 30602-5875
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