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AccessTech: Text-To-Speech bringing text to the ears

Posted on by Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson

 

K-Access logo.
 k-state.edu/dss/k-access

 

As I mentioned last month, one of the most basic needs for accessibility is readable text. For many students with disabilities, accessible text allows the computer to read documents out loud.  This is extremely helpful for students with learning disabilities, visual impairments, and also for students who speak English as a second language.

All students benefit from being able to search for terms, highlight text, and annotate readings; searchable PDF files make this possible.  Audible text can be a lifesaver for many people.

Many of us have scanned articles to PDF files. Did you know that there are two kinds of scans?

Continue reading “AccessTech: Text-To-Speech bringing text to the ears” →

AccessTech: K-Access taking content to the next level of useability

Posted on by Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson

You can compose a document for a class you are teaching on your phone, iPad, netbook, tablet PC, iPod, or on the desktop computer in your office.  You can even edit files online or on one of your devices.  But have you ever thought about the structure of your documents?  Did you know that many people depend not on the format of the document, but on the code that builds your document’s structure?  Content for your course only begins with aesthetics.  Underneath the Word document, PowerPoint, or PDF lies amazing amounts of code.  Depending on the software and tools you use to create your document, you can choose whether a graphic is only read by human eyes or you can create content with usable text that can be read by a computer for someone with a disability.  (Read more about screen readers next month!)

Continue reading “AccessTech: K-Access taking content to the next level of useability” →

Spotlight: New 46-inch monitors in Media Development Center

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

New to the Media Development Center (MDC) are two 46-inch Panasonic screens added to the video-editing area. One is connected to a PC, and one to a Mac.

4 students using a new 46-inch screen in the MDC
Student group using a new 46-inch computer screen in the MDC

This large-format screen will greatly benefit:

  • Groups working on multimedia projects
  • Users with vision challenges
  • Projects that require working across multiple computer windows

Continue reading “Spotlight: New 46-inch monitors in Media Development Center” →

AccessTech: Captioning online video

Posted on by Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson

(Editor’s note: This is the first article in an ongoing monthly series about technology tools that improve access for all.)

Online videos are used in many college courses across the country. They bring in dialogue from people in different walks of life and with varied levels of mastery to enhance what is taught in the classroom. On the other hand, many videos are also composed with audio and video, leaving students with hearing and visual impairments without access to much content. There are now a number of great ways to find and create video’s with captions. Here are a couple methods to explore: Google, and dotSUB.

Continue reading “AccessTech: Captioning online video” →

CHECK conference presentations available online

Posted on by Rebecca Gould

If you didn’t get a chance to attend the 2010 CHECK conference at Fort Hays State University, some of the presentations are available online, via “Download” links under presentations listed on the conference agenda webpage. Downloadable files may be PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and zipped files.

Downloadable presentations include:

  • Beyond Wifi: Securing Your Mobile Devices
  • Online Content Accessibility : It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
  • Workforce Changes in the Maturing IT Industry
  • Organizing and Uniting Web Developer Communication on a Decentralized Campus



Course accessibility “how to” at IDT Roundtable Oct. 24

Posted on by Swasati Mukherjee

“Quick Tips for Online Course Accessibility” will be presented by Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson and Phyllis Epps at the IDT Roundtable 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in Union 212. Using Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files can be frustrating enough on their own, and making accessible content seems like just another step. This “how to” presentation will walk through each of those file formats and show how easy it is to add accessibility.  Learn these and more: Continue reading “Course accessibility “how to” at IDT Roundtable Oct. 24″ →

IDT Roundtable Oct. 24: Quick Tips for Online Course Accessibility

Posted on by Swasati Mukherjee

Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson and Phyllis Epps will present “Quick Tips for Online Course Accessibility” 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in Union 212. The online classroom is becoming more and more popular among faculty and students. It shapes the experiences of distance students and it enhances the resources of on-campus courses. Accessibility needs to be considered during the creation of new coursework. Online accessibility is just as important as campus accessibility for students with disabilities. Continue reading “IDT Roundtable Oct. 24: Quick Tips for Online Course Accessibility” →

This week: Guest wireless; accessibility workshop; canceled tech showcase

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

Here’s what’s happening this week in IT at K-State:

  • The WEP key to access guest wireless at K-State will be removed at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, to provide easier access for visitors, vendors, and non-K-Staters.
  • Another accessibility workshop for faculty/staff is scheduled 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in Hale 501.  Registration is not required.
  • The Technology Showcase (a joint TechBytes and IDT Roundtable presentation) scheduled Thursday, Sept. 25, has been canceled.   See the TechBytes series schedule for upcoming topics.

eTips Sept. 29: Using PowerPoint with Accessibility in Mind

Posted on by Cathy Rodriguez

Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson will present an eTips session on “Using PowerPoint with Accessibility in Mind” at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, desktop webinar via Wimba. This session will cover creating accessible PowerPoint slides with text, graphics, and video. This session will also discuss some common mistakes that make PowerPoint inaccessible. Ultimately, you will learn how to make an accessible PowerPoint that can withstand the test of time and still effectively communicate to all students.

eTips registration is required at least 24 hours in advance to allow time to add you to the session and ensure your workstation is configured properly to access the session.