3. 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
4. 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
6. 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
7. 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.
8. Assistive Technology
Developments in Assistive Technology have significantly
improved opportunities for access to information and
education for people with disability.
9. Assistive Technology
Definition
Assistive 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.
11. JAWS Screen Reader - Hear an Example
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=rel
ated
14. 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=relate
d
15. 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
16. 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
17. Contact
For Information
Contact: National Disability Coordination Officer - NT
Narelle Higginson
narelle.higginson@cdu.edu.au
Telephone: (08) 89466288
Notas del editor
WORKSOP OBJECTIVE: What is accessability? Why is access so important when it comes to the internet, web design, e-learning and electronic information? I have had IT specialitsts & educators say to me, “Why bother making websites accessible, people with disability can’t access the internet.” “If people can’t read or see the information-Why should we bother.” Through this presentation today we aim to link the pieces of the puzzle together and increase your awareness and knowledge of how people with disability access electronic infomration through the use of assistive technology, barriers people face and increase your understanding of why there is legislation and guidelines regarding access to the internet, webdesign and electornic information.
Assistive Technology is viewed as …the wheelchair access ramp of the 21stCentury
Examples of assistive technology used by people with disability. Eg: Text –to –speech of screen reading software; speech to text software; screen magnification software; portable note takers; recorders; keyboard and mouse alternatives; talking calculators.
Right click on hyperlink and click on “open hyperlink”Explain Jaws software what it is before playing Utube clip
Accessibility features becoming mainstream and universal.Whilst this technology has improved enormously in recent years using it can be difficult, slow and tiring, even for an experienced user. Students may require rest breaks and extra time to complete assessment tasks and additional space and access to power points will be required.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA ) requires that any individual or organisation developing learning materials or a Worldwide Web page in Australia provides equal access for people with disability where this can reasonably be provided. This includes pages developed or maintained for purposes relating to education and employment.Australian Human Rights Commission World Wide Web Access: Advisory Notes provide detail on our legal responsibilities & a straightforward guide to what accessibility means and how to make web pages accessible.Guidelines provide information on How to & another excellent website re universal design is www.cast.org
Example of inaccessible and accessible web designRight click on Hyperlink and click on “open Hyperlink”
EduApps is a website that provides free programs small enough to fit onto your USB drive & available for use on compatible computers. It contains no spyware and there are no advertisements. There is no additional hardware or software to buy. It’s 100% free to use, free to copy and free to share.AccessApps program available on USBs and information flyers available regarding the website and another program called “My Study Bar” These programs are an excellent introduction to the assistive technology software available.
Example for point 2: Students use text to Speech technology to download study material to MP3 player so they can study anywhereExample for point 3: Assistive technology available are tools that can be used to add to a students success in education, training and employment. Students need to become aware of this technology and practise using it.