With the explosion of technology, the world is becoming more accessible to all. Yet how many educators and employers know how to address accessibility issues in the classroom and in the boardroom? How can colleges and universities provide a variety of accessible formats of materials to students who are more auditory learners (includes blind, low vision), visual learners (includes Deaf, Deafblind), those students who prefer physical hands-on experiences (includes braille), non-verbal (includes the minimal use of spoken language, the socially quiet, and sign language users), non-vocal (includes the inability to utter words with the voice, nervousness in social settings, and possibly the Deaf, and the Deaf-blind), and how can mobility or immobility affect learning (also includes the aging).
This presentation will focus on inclusive learning in the academic and nonprofit environment, and on assistive technology.
Five key areas will be addressed using a sharing, listening, and learning approach:
1) Learning environment in development
2) Environmental considerations (visual and auditory considerations and tips)
3) Adaptive software (screen reading programs, screen magnification programs, etc.)
4) Hardware (scanners, Smart everything technology, and ergonomic devices)
5) A sense of community at the group, institutional, and broader support levels.
As a result of this presentation, participants will have an awareness of how assistive technology and other devices can be used to help meet the learning needs of individuals based on their learning preferences that may exist because of a disability, and how to address them.
