Visually+Impaired



= Using iPad in the Classroom for Visually Impaired Students =

Technological advancements have helped many disabled persons achieve their dream of equality in life. Though these technological advancements have impacted disabled persons on a greater scale, there still exists challenges to teaching visually challenged students in classrooms and making learning material accessible to them.

‘Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Like so many others, we are saddened to hear of the death of Steve Jobs and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Mr. Jobs demonstrated tremendous vision in leadership in many ways, one of which is the incorporation of access for the blind and others with disabilities into the design of Apple’s groundbreaking product line. Virtually no other manufacturer of mainstream consumer technology has done more to build accessibility into its products than Apple has under Mr. Jobs’s leadership. Apple’s monumental access achievements include the ability for blind users, for the first time, to use touch-screen technology, as well as the inclusion of built-in support for Braille-aware devices. The National Federation of the Blind commends and thanks Mr. Jobs for his extraordinary work.”’ []

We will explore the iPad device to see how this technology can fulfill this need. We will also highlight the challenges posed by this technology for teachers and students. iPad is fully accessible out of the box! It requires no additional software or hardware for accessibility. Go into Settings and turn on the accessibility features.

Features include: > || || || More info: []
 * **Voiceover screen reader technology**
 * Adjustable speaking rate
 * Built-in voices that speak 36 languages
 * **Innovative virtual control via rotor technology[[image:http://images.apple.com/accessibility/ipad/images/rotor_20111004.jpg]]**
 * Application that are fully accessible
 * iBooks – full audio and zoom capability
 * Wireless Braille capability - built-in support for refreshable Braille displays that use Bluetooth wireless technology
 * Zoom capability that works everyone where, even with applications purchased via the App Store
 * Tactile buttons for easily discerning physical location of buttons
 * Audible alerts for incoming and outgoing mail and calendar event requests, and for confirming keyboard actions

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// Copyright: //http://parents.wfu.edu/files/2010/12/12-29-10-teacher-ipad-300x200.jpg
 * Educators **

Reach more of your diverse class audience! In today’s classroom, there is a great number in student diversity, including those that are visually challenged, so creating a diverse curriculum is essential not only for the success of students, but also for better pedagogy and student performance.

Use the latest technology for greater teaching experience and make yourself more marketable!

Easier to use than most computer; very intuitive! Because of the very descriptive nature of the icons (both visual and audio), kids of any age will pick up the iPad and learn how to use it very quickly.

Applications open flawlessly and fast, unlike most computers. This eliminates wasted time on low systems, application problems, and questions on how to fix a problem or navigate through something. No need to save anything; when you leave an application, everything is saved!

Best eReader on the market! Every book purchased through iBooks is fully accessible, so it reads aloud along and has great zoom capability. No need to worry about physical space for storing books or the need for parents to trek down to a bookstore.

Store all books and podcasts in one handy location, so throw away that large cumbersome bag you carry everyday to class! Since the iPad has a built-in microphone, it is easy to create and share podcasts.

iPad is fully integrated with plenty of cloud computing sights such as Google Docs. Upload your contents in iCloud for retrieval by all your students! You can assign who has access to what content at what time. Cloud computing is fast becoming a tool that is very helpful in providing access to a large audience in a centralized location, thus eliminating the need for a full computer.

iPad is not a content creator, but it is a great technology for content consumption. It will not replace a full computer or laptop, but it is a very close replacement for one.

Use it for: More info: []
 * Creating tests, quizzes, and worksheets
 * Conferencing with students regarding assignments, grades, or conferencing with parents
 * Greater engagement with students via use of multimedia
 * Walking and teaching in the classroom at the same time
 * Replacing many teaching tools into one easy to carry and use technology
 * Replacing many teaching tools into one easy to carry and use technology

Copyright: http://coursesmart.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ipad-release.jpg Turn your disability into ability! With iPad you no longer have to shy away from technology just because you are different from the norm.
 * Students **
 * Easy to use!
 * Fun!
 * Less things to carry in your backpack! No more text books, pencils, pens, folders, notebooks, trappers, and calculators!
 * Richer and more engaged learning via multimedia experience!
 * Learning is not limited to the classroom
 * Access assignments, learning tools, etc. outside the classroom at anytime
 * Less cumbersome than all those textbooks!
 * Long battery life
 * Single-tasking allows for more focused work, so you get your work done quickly
 * Still need more e-textbooks – while there are e-textbooks available, there still exists a big gap in the amount that’s available electronically.

The iPad seems that it has hit almost all the marks, especially when it comes to accessibility! Yes, as with all technology it has its shortcomings; however, with time, constant software updates from Apple and application vendors, and more e-textbooks, this very well could be an extremely, if not indispensable, tool for accessibility in the classroom.
 * Overall **


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