AccessComputing

How do IT companies express their commitment to accessibility?

Many information technology (IT) companies provide public statements related to their products' accessibility to people with disabilities. Although some companies are criticized for publicly supporting accessible IT when it is not a genuine part of their practices, other companies provide leadership in the creation and support of accessible products.

Some of the reasons that companies provide public information about their commitment to accessibility are:

Kennewick Elementary School: A Promising Practice in Using Technology to Improve Teaching

Georgia Boatman, a teacher at Southgate Elementary School in Kennewick, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´, wanted to increase student participation in her classroom, particularly that of students with disabilities. In collaboration with DO-IT's AccessSTEM project, she acquired an interactive learning tool the  (CPS) using funds from an AccessSTEM minigrant.

Who is responsible for providing a postsecondary institution with documentation of a student's disability?

It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation required by a college or university. Postsecondary institutions may set their own requirements for documentation as long as they comply with relevant legislation. The assessments, screenings, and reports generated by precollege professionals may not meet postsecondary documentation requirements. Students should contact the schools they are interested in attending for information regarding documentation requirements.

Central Kitsap School District: A Promising Practice in Access to Math and Science for Students with Visual Impairments

Kelly Kerr is a teacher of students with visual impairments in the located in Silverdale, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´. Ms. Kerr wrote a proposal for an AccessSTEM minigrant to support students with visual impairments who are underrepresented in careers in math and science. In her proposal she emphasized that students often fail to pursue math and science because of the lack of accessible curriculum, labs, and manipulatives in these courses. Ms.

What are tips for making online mentoring successful?

E-mentoring or online mentoring occurs when computers and networks are used as communication tools between mentors and proteges. This format has many advantages such as eliminating the time, geographic, and social constraints of in-person communication.

Although there are many benefits to e-mentoring, there are also negative aspects of electronic communication. Difficulties include clearly expressing ideas and feelings, managing high volumes of messages, gaining access to technology, and encountering technical difficulties.

Tools and Techniques for Accessible Web Content: A Promising Practice in Webcast Training

Dr. Jon Gunderson, Director of IT Accessibility Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Campaign, provided a web accessibility training event to postsecondary staff and faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The for Accessible Web Content event shared best practices and reviewed accessibility management and visualization tools used to improve the design and verification of the functional accessibility of web resources. After the event Dr.

Southern Connecticut State University: A Promising Practice on Exposing Students with Disabilities to Computer Science Careers

In an effort to recruit more students into computer science majors, Southern Connecticut State University's (SCSU) Disability Resource Center hosted a three-part workshop designed to spark an interest and encourage local high school students with disabilities to pursue computer science majors at SCSU.

Missouri Southern State University: A Promising Practice in Developing a Successful Community of Practice (CoP)

The term "" (CoP) is used to describe a group of practitioners who share common concerns and interact regularly to improve their services and other practices. Members of a CoP identify problems in their field, propose changes, plan activities, share resources, and discuss topics of mutual interest.

Pages