Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

March 14, 2003 - Leveling the Playing Field: Services for Students with Disabilities

Our March 14th, 2003 presentation for Northern Illinois University is part of the I.A.C.A.C. Northwest District Seminar. Our part of the workshop takes place at 10:30 and lasts an hour.

Your presenters for this technology and disability overview are:

Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney heads adaptive technology and accessible web creation for Disability Support Services at SIUC and is also the coordinator of the Adaptive Computer Technology & Website Design HECA grant project. In addition to his MA in Rehabilitation, Whitney has completed training on designing universally acceptable web resources and an assistive technology applications certificate program offered by the State University of California Northridge. He will discuss and demonstrate some of the common adaptive technologies utilized by students with disabilities.

Kathleen Plesko

Kathleen Plesko directs SIUC's Office of Disability Support Services and is an expert in disability accommodations in higher education settings. She will discuss and delineate the provisions of mandated accommodations in real and electronic classrooms. As an important counter-balance, Plesko will discuss fundamental course requirements and how they can limit the need to provide accommodations, particularly in the area of testing.

Topics of Discussion and Presented Technologies

Technologies used by students in order to access academic information

• Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation system
• Read Please reading system
• Arkenstone Open Book scanning system
• Jaws screen reader
• Refreshable Braille
• Microsoft Screen Magnification
• Sip-N-Puff Mouse
• Microsoft On-Screen Keyboard

Inaccessible navigation and Legislation requiring accessibility

• Example of web navigation with assistive technology and limitations of inaccessible sites.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Illinois Web Accessibility Standards
• Administrative Order
• Section 508 : Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards

Examples of inaccessible design and Tools used to make them accessible

• A-Prompt used to make an HTML document on the CD accessible
• Bobby used to check the accessibility of a page
• Review of tools and resources on the CD provided with session.