Accessibility

The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is working with Bookshare (www.bookshare.org) as its accessible media producer, which allows students to download digital files (DAISY) onto assistive technology devices and portables to hear text read aloud. Learn how the District of Columbia has embraced the accessible instruction materials (AIM) provision related to NIMAS and the NIMAC in the IDEA 2004 reauthorization to help students with print disabilities.

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act requires the FCC to establish two advisory committees, on video programming accessibility and on next generation 911 emergency communications systems. The FCC has appointed Larry Goldberg, director of National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), and Wayne Luplow, Vice President, HDTV Standards and Promotion, Zenith Electronics, co-chairs of the Video Programming and Access Advisory Committee (VPAAC).

The TechMatrix is a powerful, free online database to help educators and families find educational and assistive technology resources and help for students with special needs. With the addition of new search features, expert advice, professional development resources, Hot Topic pages and updated product listings, the new TechMatrix is greatly expanded, easier to use, and includes many new implementation resources. See new resources on science and transition.

The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20 years old today. NCTI recognizes the significant work that this legislation has made for people with disabilities and our society. At the same time, we urge the accessibility community to continue to advocate for more inclusive environments (physical and online) and an increased rate of employment for individuals with disabilities.

National Public Radio’s weekly program, On the Media, has posted three exceptional stories about the importance of accessibility. Check them out!

Speak up for accessible e-health records! Post your comments by March 15 and ensure that this new federal initiative hears from the accessibility community.

See how a Tech in the Works awardee used DVD technology to create interactive, content-rich captions on science videos, offering new instructional access to students with hearing impairments.

What does broadband access mean for the disability community? The FCC hosted an all-day workshop to find out.

Fraction Sense creates an effective learning approach for children and their teachers. This 2008 NCTI Technology in the Works award shows how collaborative research can overcome implementation challenges.

A new partnership will expand the availability of closed captioning (CC) and audio description (AD) in multimedia educational content–giving students who are hearing or visually impaired, are English language learners, or have other disabilities greater access to digital learning opportunities. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has awarded two 5-year grants to CaptionMax for a [...]

What happens when you turn AAC platforms into instant messaging devices? These 2008 Tech in the Works winners found unexpected discoveries such as the critical need for chat specific vocabularies.

Read about WYNN, the literacy software designed with a graphic interface to accommodate a range of user needs and styles.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the March 2, 2007 Web Event! At your request, we have made available the individual presentations, including PowerPoint slides, audio/visual recordings, captioning transcripts, and supplemental information that present exciting innovations that make assistive technology portable. Check back regularly as we continue to grow this page!

Featured Technologies and Speakers

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When he had a “real job,” Tom was a clinical biochemist. He began Designer Appliances as a start-up using research on dynamic bio-mechanics of muscle and blood flow. A block of wood helped formulate his first conceptual model, leading to 5 or 6 fundamental iterations before going to market.