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Course registration is $350 with a $70 discount for students and participants from overseas. You can read the syllabus and register online at: http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm

Week 1:

LESSON 1: Introduction to training users with disabilities on adaptive computer technology

This lesson will begin with participants providing a personal introduction as learning will happen better when we are acquainted. It will also introduce the adaptive technologies that participants will learn about as well as providing some background on the characteristics of the disability groups for which they will most likely be providing training. We will assure participants that we believe they do not need to be experts on all these technologies or on all people with disabilities. Our goal is to provide basic, initial technology skills and to provide helps that can readily be used to enable the trainer to refresh their skills on any system they may not have used for some time.

LESSON 2 OVERVIEW OF PERSONAL COMPUTER HARDWARE PLATFORMS

Modern computer operating systems all provide the user the ability to customize some of the appearance and functions of that computer to meet their personal tastes or needs. Sometimes, these accessibility features are somewhat primitive, and sometimes they are more sophisticated. Frequently, they are adequate to support someone with a limited disability, but may not be adequate for someone whose disability is more severe. They also are good tools to introduce a user to accessibility technologies before anyone makes an expensive purchase. The operating system accessibility features are an ideal choice for someone with a temporary disability such as a problem caused by an injury. Participants will become acquainted with the operating systems' accessibility features with hands-on use.

Week 2:

LESSON 3: TECHNOLOGY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CONSUMERS

These users have problem accessing the computer output displayed on the computer monitor and need technologies giving them an alternative access to that information. The course will limit its training to 1-2 of the major screen reader and screen magnification systems. Other packages function similarly and have similar command systems so the basic knowledge will carry over. Tips on working with visually impaired users will be provided. Participants will spend time actually using both a screen reader and a screen magnification package. Several have demo versions for download.

LESSON 4: TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONS WITH HEARING RELATED DISABILITIES

While these users may not need adaptive technology to be able to use computers, there are many computer applications that do provide special support for these users both in their personal lives and in supporting their access to live presentations. Such applications include real time captioning and transcriptions. Trainers may be called on to interact with this population and need an initial understanding of their needs and support for them. Also, participants may appreciate a lesson without hands-on assignments.

Week 3

LESSON 5: Reading Support Technology For Persons With Learning Disabilities

Learning disability covers a broad spectrum of impairments and strengths. Participants will be introduced to this. This population can benefit from mainline and special software that compensates for impairments and maximizes their strengths. Many benefit from receiving information in dual sensory modes and from content display that is clean and uncluttered. Participants will experience several writing support tools.

LESSON 6: Writing Support Technology For Persons With Learning Disabilities

Many of the reading support tools also assist writing. Mainline writing support tools like spell checkers, grammar checkers and special features like word prediction are among the support tools. Participants will again acquire hands-on experience on such software.

Week 4

Lesson 7 Training Users with Motor Impairments (Voice Recognition, Onscreen Keyboards, track ball, etc.)

Users whose impairments interfere with their effective use of the keyboard require other tools to improve their ability to input information into the computer. Voice recognition has improved greatly in recent years and is a popular alternative input tool. Other solutions include an alternative mouse, onscreen keyboards and a multitude of other special switches. The choice of systems will depend on the specific motor impairment and, to some extent, the personal choices of the user. Many of these tools are inexpensive. There are also demo versions of many packages, and participants will gain experience working with tools for people with motor impairments.

Lesson 8 Providing Institution-wide Awareness of the Needs of Users With Disabilities

The trainer will have a basic understanding of the technology support needs of people with disabilities and of the technologies that assist them. Providing advocacy for these students and awareness training to members of the school, university, or business will help integrate these users into the overall organization. Besides being a trainer, you will be uniquely positioned to be an advocate. As part of that role, you can urge the institution to develop policies not only guiding your department but impacting all faculty and staff. Progress always happens best where there are clear policies and some system of accountability.

Final Test

There will be a final pass/fail, multiple choice tests. It will help us know that our lessons do present the basics clearly and help our participants know they have grasped at least the major basics. The test can be retaken.