New Chrome AT Toolbox 2.0 Beta

Back in March, I posted about the Chrome AT Toolbox, a searchable collection of free or low-cost apps & extensions. Well, now it's even better and easier to use! With V2, the database has been rewritten and anyone can write reviews to Chrome apps & extensions. New reviews are posted automatically and the database is searchable with filters for Tasks and Keywords. For example, you can search by the Task Organization, and by Keyword Bookmarking to narrow results. The editors are hoping to start fresh with new reviews, and if you disagree with a review, you can share your perspective.

Keep this valuable resource in mind when you're looking for ideas - I know I will! Thank you to John Calvert and Mark Surabian for creating it.

Chrome AT Toolbox

Google has many accessibility features built into the Chrome browser and many add-on Apps and Extensions.
What's the difference between an App and an Extension?  A web app is basically a website that runs within the browser and may not require any downloads.  Google Docs is an example of an app because it runs within the browser and doesn't require a download.  On the other hand, an extension affects something global on your browser.  Extensions are downloaded to modify your browser.
The Chrome Toolbox is a searchable collection of free or low cost apps and extensions that follow the user wherever there's an Internet connection.  The tools are attached to the user's profile and available when they're logged in to Chrome.  The collection focuses on alternative access and is searchable by specific task or disability profile.  Check it out!

Read Bookshare Books Online with the New Web Reader!

For individual members, Bookshare's new Web Reader let's students read books quickly and easily within an Internet browser. Optimized for Google Chrome, the web reader has text to speech with word highlighting, font sizes up to 70 pt, and is available anywhere there's Internet. With Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari, there's a screen reader but no word highlighting feature. Simply open Google Chrome, log on to Bookshare, find the book and select "read now". Follow prompts to install the Chrome extension and the book will open! Other text to speech Chrome extensions should be disabled. For more information on Bookshare, see the Bookshare Information section on this Blog to download a step-by-step February 2013 PowerPoint Presentation.

Microsoft Accessibility Guide for Education

This site has Guides, Demos and Tutorials for the accessibility features of Windows 7, Office 2010 plus a section on Assistive Technology.  There's also Curriculum Resources and "How To" articles about helping dyslexic students get organized, helping students stay focused, creating accessible teaching materials and talking books.

Protocol for Accommodations in Reading

Are you confused about the different kinds of reading accommodations and how to choose the right one?  This protocol provides a repeatable, systematic assessment process that helps you through the process. The protocol guides you in collecting data on a variety of reading accommodations.  It provides reading samples, vocabulary questions, and comprehension quizzes for each grade level 3rd - 10th.  For more information, participate in a live webinar:
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
 — 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT 
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 — 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
 — 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Audio Audio Audio!

THREE UPCOMING SESSIONS

1. Monday, 1/16 @ 3:15pm Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJanuary162012REGISTRATION

2. Monday, 1/30 @ 3:15pm Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJan302012REGISTRATION

3. Friday, 2/3 @ 3:15pm     Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioFeb32012REGISTRATION

Event Description: This session will cover everything from free tools for recording and manipulating audio in your classroom to converting digital text into mp3's, a little on podcasting, converting audio formats, creating audiobooks, and organizing all of your classroom Audio!

This session is hosted by PATINS Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstsruction for All Students

Assistive Technology Devices Organized by Age and Skill Area

Thanks to Jane S. for sharing this incredible resource!  The Georgia Project has categorized AT solutions by age and skill area in easy to read, downloadable pdf files.  The areas are:

• AAC Academic
• AAC Speech Generating Devices
• Math
• Reading
• Study and Organization
• Writing and Spelling

Within each area, supports are listed by feature, for example there are 20 categories of reading supports ranging from positioning aids, specialized formats, and text reading software.  The list is comprehensive and, for each device listed, a check box indicating appropriate age range (elementary, middle school, high school) and skill areas.  Of course, this information is always being updated and is provided as "examples of different technologies used by students with disabilities to accomplish educationally relevant tasks in instructional and access areas."

RFBD Audio App

Did you know that RFBD membership is free to eligible individuals with visual impairments or reading disabilities?  They have a library of more than 65,000 audiobooks that can be accessed for FREE on an iOS device after purchasing the RFBD app for $19.99.  An RFBD membership is required.  RFBD has K-12 selections by many publishers, high interest - low vocabulary selections, fiction and language titles. 

"LINC" - Low Incidence Network Connection

This Area Educational Agency in East Central Iowa has done a marvelous job putting together this site of Resources, Links and Blogs for Low Incidence Students.  Categories include: Adapted Books & Song-boards, AAC, Visual Symbols, Early Intervention, Computer Access, Switch Skills and more!

Educational Apps, App Reviews and more!

Found out about this while perusing the Facebook Assistive Technology Group. The list of educational apps is categorized by subject area and links to the iTunes store for a detailed description. The site creator, Megan Wilson, has posted her presentations about using apps in school and has a few lesson plans using apps. The Resources section includes blogs from other educators using iPods, and lots of ideas! If you're interested in using iPods/iPads in school, this is a wonderful site that's well organized.
And if you're on Facebook, why not join the Assistive Technology open group?

Accessible Instructional Materials - summer webinar series

The National Center on AIM is offering free webinars to extend your knowledge about accessible instructional materials. In addition to the AIM Basics webinar, they will be providing a session on providing accessible instructional materials to students not certified as having a print disability under copyright law.

Bookshare and Read:OutLoud video tutorials from CAST

More video tutorials for Bookshare and Read:OutLoud
* Overview
* View Options
* Download A Bookshare DAISY Book
* Open and Read a Book
* Navigate by Page
* Internet and Dictionary
* Create an Outline
* Add Notes
* Speech Menu
* Book Styles
* Student Central

eReaders and Digital Rights Management

Interesting article on eBooks and eReaders in education from eSchool News. Kindle, Nook and iPad are discussed along with transferring purchased eBooks between formats (not allowed) and the impact of Digital Rights Management.
If you don't get eSchool News, just search this blog for a link to their site.

Coming Soon! Blio eReader

The FREE Blio eReader software is a new presentation of electronic books & magazines. It has full-color and 3D so image-rich books are now available in digital format. Blio preserves a book’s original layout, fonts, and graphics.

The selection includes cookbooks, travel guides, how-to books, schoolbooks, art books, children’s stories, and magazines. The display lets you insert highlights, notes, videos, and even webpages. Selected books also go hands-free with Blio’s read-aloud feature.

Marquette Area Public Schools Technology website

Check out these newly posted sites – teaching resources in content areas:
Go to www.mapsnet.org > Staff Resources > Technology Links > Teacher Resource Links
Social Studies Links: 4-5 grades Social Studies Alive online curriculum links for Students & Teachers
Reference & Teaching Sites: Peter White Public Library – download audio books directly to your computer - teachers
MAPS Library Page – online catalog and many resources from Michigan Electronic Library- all grades
NY Times The Learning Network - for 5 – 12 grades and lots of teacher materials
English Language Arts: Read, Write, Think – online writing activities & organizers of all types for 2 – 12 grades
Tween Tribune – all the news for and by students 5 – 12 grades
Science Links: Science Blog Teaching with Technology- 6 – 12 grades How To’s & videos & great tech ideas
The Rock Cycle – PowerPoint you can download from DEQ, grades 3 - 12
Math Resource Links: Mr. Maffesoli’s GLCEs –– listing of web activities correlated to K- 5 Math GLCEs

AccessText Network: New online database of college textbooks in alt formats

eSchool News recently reported on this new national database that helps colleges and universities obtain textbooks in alternative formats. Good info for Transition teams and vocational rehab counselors.

iPod Touch

The Barnes and Noble E-reader is a free application (similar to a Kindle) which allows a user to download and read books on a handheld wireless device!

PACER's comparison of Scan and Read Tools

This post title will link to PACER's comparison of Scan and Read software including Key to Access (Premier), Wynn Wizard, Read & Write Gold and Kurzweil 3000.

PACER's comparison of Text to Speech programs

This post title will link you to a very good comparison of text to speech programs including Natural Reader, Text Aloud, ReadPlease, Read:Outloud, Victor Reader Soft and Ghostreader. PACER's website has been added to the Links to Resources section.

CEU's available Free & Online - Family Center on Technology & Disability Summer Institute

This year’s institute will have two learning strands: Accessible Instructional Materials and Social Media Tools. Here's an excerpt from the notice:

Accessible Instructional Materials will explore the world of accessible media, including the laws designed to get instructional materials into the hands of students with print disabilities. Participants will learn about digital formats, how to find and access digital books, and about software and hardware suitable for classroom, home, and therapeutic environments.

Social Media Tools: Facebook, YouTube, Blogs, Wikis, Twitter... If you’re an experienced user of social media, you are invited to share your insights and resources. If you’re quietly guarding the secret that you really have no idea what a wiki is, and Twittering….then this is the place to learn, in educator/parent/disability professional friendly language.

Post title will link to the registration form.