Hello Joan and all,

We had a very comprehensive discussion on UDL on the Tech list about 18
months ago. Our guest was Dr. Dave Edyburn from the University of
Wisconsin.
Following is an excerpt featuring UDL technologies. I would also
encourage you to search the NIFL discussion list archives for more
related information. The webpage to go to is:
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology

Best,
Mariann

Message from January 30, 2006 on the tech list submitted by M. Fedele
introducing discussion with Dr. Dave Edyburn:

What is universal design? 
"Universal design or inclusive design is an approach to the design of 
products, services and environments to be as usable as possible by as
many 
people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. It links 
directly to the political concept of an inclusive society and its 
importance has been recognised by governments, business and industry." 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_design 

A great example of universal design is curb cuts...the recess in
sidewalk 
curbs at intersections and on walkways. Designed for wheelchair users to

better navigate curbs, curb cuts are a design that improve the situation

for everyone (those of us pushing a stroller or grocery cart, pulling a 
suit case on wheels, walking a bicycle, etc...). This concept was
applied 
to computer technology in the early 1990s with the inclusion of 
accessibility features as part of the computer's operating system (in 
Windows go to "Control Panel" and the to "Accessibility Options"). The
term 
universal design is defined and enshrined in federal law through the 
Individual with Disabilites Education Act and the Assistive Technology
Act. 

Applied to teaching and learning, universal design is reffered to as 
Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Per the Center for Applied Special 
Technologies (CAST) UDL calls for ... 
Multiple means of representation, to give learners various ways of 
acquiring information and knowledge, 
Multiple means of expression, to provide learners alternatives for 
demonstrating what they know, 
Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners' interests, offer 
appropriate challenges, and increase motivation. 

To see UDL concepts at work Dr. Edyburn pointed to the following
examples 
in assistive technology and instructional technology: 
ReadPlease 
http://www.readplease.com/ 
This site offers free to download text-to-speech software 

Windows to the Universe 
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ 
The UDL features include tiered learning materials (beginner,
intermediate 
and advanced level versions of the same content), and hard-coded 
translation of the web site into Spanish 

http://babelfish.altavist.com/ 
Many of us are familiar with this text and web page translation site. 

Inspiration 
www.inspiration.com 
A graphic organizer software that is for sale but available to download
as 
a free 30 day trial. 

Sparknotes 
www.sparknotes.com 
Free online study guides that are also available as podcasts (for a
cost) 
and as mobile text messages delivered to your cell phone (at what ever 
pricing your cell phone provider has associated with text messaging). 

Cognitive Rescaling features in MS Word 
Dr. Edyburn has made available step-by-step directions at: 
http://www.uwm.edu/~edyburn/Cognitiverescaling.pdf 
A feature that allows for the summarizing of high level text to
different 
reading levels. It works best with text books, newspapers and
non-fiction.

Mariann Fedele
Director,
NYC Regional Adult Education Network
Literacy Assistance Center
Moderator,
NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List
32 Broadway 10th Floor
New York, New York 10004
212-803-3325
mariannf at lacnyc.org
www.lacnyc.org


-----Original Message-----
From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Denis Anson
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 10:18 AM
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 1664] Re: ADA "compliant" web sites

Joan,

ADA compliance (section 508 checklist) provides the absolute minimum  
accessibility and usability.  A well-designed Universal Design site  
will go well beyond the minimum standards.  The trick is to know which  
direction is an improvement, and which is worse.  (This is why so many  
designers follow the standard to the letter, rather than making things  
better.)

The W3C and Section 508 guidelines are more about how you do things  
rather than what you do.  If done well, you can make your site look  
like anything you want and still be compliant.


On Jul 2, 2008, at 11:11 PM, Joan Medlen wrote:


> Hi all,

>

> I'm looking for information on two things:

>

> 1. the definition and tools that can be used to design a good  

> looking and

> useful ADA Compliant website.

>

> 2. someone who will define the difference between ADA Compliance and

> Universal Design for website use. Is there one?

>

> Thanks,

> Joan

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

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Denis Anson, MS, OTR
Director of Research and Development
Assistive Technology Research Institute
Misericordia University
voice: 570-674-6413
fax: 570-674-8054

danson at misericordia.edu



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