Liz Reid

Assistive Technologies & Accessibility

E-MAGINARIUM NTFriday 9th December 2011

Program overview

The National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program uses an Australian –wide network of 31 officers

to provide information, coordination and referral services for people with a disability who are looking for (or enrolled in) post-school education and training, to

help them gain employment

NDCOs provide…

• Information, coordination and referral activities for people with a disability

• Assist local education providers to provide better services for people with a disability

• Link individuals and organisations to local support services

• Raise awareness amongst education providers and the general public of the issues facing people with a disability

What does Accessibility really mean?

Definition of disability

• Physical (paraplegia, mobility impairment, back injury)• Sensory (Sight, hearing)• Chronic Medical Conditions (MS, Diabetes) & Chronic Pain (Juvenile

arthritis, back injury)• Writing Impairments (RSI, Broken Arm)• Intellectual ( Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome)• Learning Disability (Dyslexia, Written expression,Mathematics disorder )• Communication (verbal & non verbal)• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Foetal

Alcohol Syndrome)• Psychiatric / Psychological• Past, present & future disabilities

Disability is not so much an attribute of the individual as of the social and physical environment in which he or she lives. The nature of the disability experienced by the individual can be moderated when environments and

practices are designed to be inclusive.

Assistive Technology

Developments in Assistive Technology have significantly improved opportunities for access to information and

education for people with disability.

Assistive Technology

DefinitionAssistive Technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes devices, tools, hardware & software. AT promotes greater independence and enable people with disability to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Assistive Technology

Experience how a JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader works on the home page of the Handbook for Museums and Educators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK97XMibEws&feature=related

JAWS Screen Reader - Hear an Example

Universal Design

Our Legislative Responsibilities

Legislation

Commonwealth Legislation• Disability Discrimination Act 1992

– Disability Standards for Education 2005

Territory Legislation• NT Anti-Discrimination Act 1992

Guidelines

Web content Accessibility Guidelines (W3R)Weblink:

http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

Australian Flexible Learning Framework: Universal Design

Weblink: Http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/guides/universal.html

Looking at the J K Rowling website with the Jaws screen reader

The J K Rowling website is created using Flash, and has a standard and an accessible version. This video shows how the two versions differ for blind users using the Jaws screen reading software.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xxAgVat64&feature=related

Assistive Freeware

There is an increasing availability of good quality free assistive technology software available.

EduApps:- Http://www.eduapps.org/

- Free, portable programs- Includes free Text to Speech program Balabolka- Each receive a copy of AccessApps program (downloaded

from this website)today on USBs provided

Points to consider

• Each student’s needs are different and should be individually evaluated to ensure successful outcomes.

• The merging of AT –features useful for a wider audience not just people with disability

• There is no ‘wonder tool’ –rather a toolbox is needed

Contact

For Information

Contact: National Disability Coordination Officer - NTNarelle Higginsonnarelle.higginson@cdu.edu.auTelephone: (08) 89466288