Feature Articles
Jeffrey B. Bishop, MS
University of Iowa
Carole M. Collier
University of Iowa
A remote realtime captioning system has been in use at the University of Iowa since August of 1996 to allow Deaf and hard of hearing students to participate fully and independently in classes. Captioning is provided on a laptop computer system that the students ta ke to class. The audio signal from the classroom microphone is transmitted via modem over a telephone line to the captioning servic e where a captioner transcribes the text of the lecture. This text is transmitted back to the student in the classroom via modem and is displayed on the computer. This article presents a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of remote realtime captioning and other communication options.
Fred Jones
Vermont Department of Education
Too many times I've heard print challenged individuals explain how they've joined conversations about an article in the day's local newspaper without the advantage of being able to have read it for themselves. Because of technology, this is a frustration of the pa st. The purpose of this article is to share Vermont's experiences with the development of a valuable service to print challenged individ uals with the hope that others will benefit from our findings.
Carmela Cunningham
Children who do not get a solid foundation in science and mathematics during Kindergarten through 12th grade will not be properly prepared to study science, math, engineering or technology (SMET) successfully in college. Too often students with disabilities fall into this group of being unprepared to study science, math, engineering and technology in post-secondary school. EASI, an affiliate of the American Association for Higher Education has begun work on a two-year National Science Foundation project to create and disseminate materials to help K-12 students with disabilities become prepared to do post-secondary and professional work in technical fields.
Dick Banks
EASI Electronic Resource Manager
For many visually impaired and learning disabilities individuals, screen magnification has unlocked the door to computer access. The same holds true for synthesized speech. Until recently, in order to use both technologies simultaneously, it was necessary to use three different hardware or software utilities. The user would need to have screen magnification, a speech synthesizer and a screen reader. Information technology, and adaptive technology in particular, is changing in two important ways: costs are dropping as products become increasingly sophisticated. ZoomText Xtra exemplifies both trends.
Ann Neville
University of Texas, Austin
This packet is elegantly presented in a loose-leaf binder, and includes scripts and supporting materials for either a short (20-minute) or a longer, more detailed presentation. These materials include a glossary of terms, templates for transparencies, handouts to duplicate, and one or more videotapes.
Steve Noble, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Anne L. Pemberton
Wilsons, VA
Curator, Academy One on Virginia's PEN