Adaptive Device Software Brief Description: The Accessibility tools offers options to users with visual and mobility impairments, and is available on most computers. Visual impaired users will have the ability to enlarge objects such as the mouse pointer, icons, and scroll bars as well as a scaled modification of the screen and its contents up to nine time the magnification. Visually impaired students can also use the Narrator to read the text on the screen and what is being typed. An on-screen keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people with mobility impairments to type by using a pointing device, such as the mouse. Descriptions of the Narrator, Magnifier, and On-line Keyboard will be discussed below. These features are easy to access and apply to the computer by just following the prompts. To access the features, follow the steps below and left click on the prompts: Start button on the bottom left corner of the screen All Programs Accessories Accessibility Accessibility Wizard The Accessibility Wizard will walk the user through configuring the size of the items that appear on the desktop or change the color of the text and mouse pointer for optimum viewing. Other Page 1
options include the ability to configure the mouse for right of left handed users, or for those users who cannot use the mouse, they can use the numeric keys or keyboard arrows to navigate programs and the internet. Magnifier Background: The magnifier is used to enlarge text and images for users with slight visual impairments. Special Features: Depending on the level of visual impairment, the magnification can be adjusted up to nine levels. Everything the cursor moves over will be magnified in the upper portion of the screen. The screen is adjustable by placing the cursor on the top of the original page and dragging it down, providing a larger viewing area for the magnified view. The users can also have typed text magnified, and if needed, invert the colors of font as he or she is typing. The magnifier can remain active on the desktop or be minimized. Students who would benefit from this device: The Magnifier would enable students with mild to moderate visual impairments to use a computer. Visual difficulties and impairments include low vision, color blindness, and blindness. There are many options for users with vision difficulties to modify the computer displays and appearance so it is more legible, or receive information through sound or touch. Disadvantages: Although the viewing area on the screen is adjustable, only half of the screen can be viewed in the magnified mode. It can also be confusing when the user needs to click on a link because they may be prone to move the mouse to the magnified area, and no longer have the desired text in view. The user does not have the ability to see a full "page" on the screen, and may have difficulty navigating. Those who are blind will not benefit from this feature. Narrator Page 2
Background: The Narrator is a text-to-speech program that can help people who are blind or have low vision. The Narrator reads what is displayed on the screen which includes contents on the active window, menu options, or that that has been typed. Since Accessibility features are available on all computers with a Microsoft Window '98 operating system or higher, the user can set up their own computer or use other people's computers. Special Features: The user has the ability to configure the speed and volume of "Microsoft Sam", the default voice on the computer. Other voices are also available to download from the internet. Students that would benefit from this device: Students that suffer from visual impairments or blindness would be able to use a computer. Students with reading disabilities would also be able to have text read to them from the Narrator versus struggling to read it themselves. Disadvantages: The narrator might not perform well with some programs and only speaks English. On-Screen Keyboard Page 3
Background: The on-screen keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people with mobility impairments to type data by using a pointing device, such as the mouse, or a joystick. Besides providing a minimum level of functionality for mobility impaired users, the On-Screen Keyboard can also be used for people who do not know how to type. Special Features: There are different modes that can be used to type data. The user can either click the keys on the on-screen keyboard with the mouse, hover over the letters, or use a joystick as a pointing device to type. The keyboard can also have different appearances; an enhanced keyboard with a numeric keypad, a standard keyboard without a numeric keypad, or a keypad with 101, 102, or 106 keys. Students that would benefit from this device: Individuals with dexterity issues would have difficulty using a standard keyboard. Students with limited mobility will be able to type without the use of the keyboard. Disadvantages: Users with sever mobility impairments may require additional hardware or software. Evaluation: User Friendly good better best Comments The Accessibility tools are pretty easy to set up. Once the user is familiar with the software, it will be easier to use. Shortcuts can be created and placed on the desktop for easier access. These tools offer Page 4
Usefulness in the classroom Versatility New Page 1 accessibility to the computer and resources to students who would normally not have access to the computer due to impairments. Users are able to utilize these tools with most of the functions available on a computer. Cost These tools are very cost effective since they are included with Microsoft operating systems '98 and higher. Recommendation: I would recommend these tools for use in the classroom to enable students with visual and mobility impairments access to resources on the computer. It is a very cost effective option and will enable students with disadvantages equal opportunities. If the user finds these accessibility options beneficial, and would continue to use them on a regular basis, simply right click on the option to create a shortcut with an icon on the desktop. Date: February 22, 2007 Subject: Social Studies Grade Level: Intermediate Elementary Lesson Plan Goals: Students will learn about their state (or other states) as they create a travel plan, write postcards to send home, and research various locations throughout the selected state(s). Learning Standards: Standard 3: Geography Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live local, national, and global including Page 5
the distribution of people, places, and environments over the Earth s surface. Standard 2: Information Systems Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies. Standard 5: Technology Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs. Teacher Preparation: Brainstorm with the students and list all of the places they have visited within your state. Ask them what they know about each of the locations. Discuss the importance of knowing the geography of your state and the various communities, towns, and cities within each state. Materials Needed and Resources: Access to library and reference books Computers with internet access Pens, pencils, markers, paper, poster board Publishing software Student Directions: In this assignment you will learn about various towns, communities and cities within your state by planning a two-week trip. During your trip you must: Visit 1 or more major cities with a populations of 1,000,000+ population Visit 2 or more cities with population between 500,000 and 999,999 Visit 1 or more minor cities with population of 100,000-499,999 Visit 1 or more towns with population between 20,000 and 99,000 Visit the state capital Visit 2 or more other areas of interest within the state The Travel Plan: 1. Begin by opening up Microsoft MapPoint and creating a route using the Route Planner tool. 2. Enter the locations you wish to visit and plan the route you wish to take. 3. Under Tools select Find Nearby Places. This will show you all sorts of interesting attractions. 4. On your route calculate the miles between locations. 5. Also calculate how many hours and/or days you plan to stay at each location. 6. Save your map and route plan. Postcards Home: For each stop you will write one postcard home using Microsoft Publisher. Each postcard should include: Location Date Miles driven since last postcard (location) How many days you've been at the location Page 6
Interesting sites at the location Where you plan to go next Picture if possible of the location - you might search the web or Encarta for pictures Latitude and longitude of location (hint: Use the Location Sensor under the Tools menu in MapPoint) Steps in Creating a Postcard: 1. Begin by opening Publisher. 2. Select a postcard template and color scheme. You will use the same template and color scheme for each of your postcards. 3. Enter the items in the list above using complete sentences in a narrative format. 4. Save your postcard. When you have completed the trip, print all postcards and your MapPoint map and route planner Adaptations: Students with special needs will use Microsoft Accessibility tools to navigate the computer. They will also be allowed extra time to complete the project. Assessment: This lesson is geared towards familiarizing students with their state. Read each postcard and ensure that the interesting sites are from that location. A checklist or rubric can be used to check off the items to include on both the route planner and the postcards home. Developed and reviewed by: Leslie Glende February 22, 2007 Page 7