Barrier-free IT - Tips and Tricks

Accessibility in Second

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:42:52 GMT

Every day more, people are interested in social networks and virtual worlds like Second Life. Dr. Denise Wood talks to us in this podcast about Helen Keller Day and “Max” a virtual guide dog, and also about different places in Second life where people with or without disabilities can share and learn about new things.

Moving to Windows Vista

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:01:16 GMT

Karen McCall talks about what's new, what's different and the accessibility features in Windows Vista.

FireFox Extensions

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:33:15 GMT

FireFox has become one of the most popular Web browsers used today. One of the reasons for this popularity is that there are a number of free extensions or add-ons that allow the user to do a wide variety of tasks not normally associated with browsers.

Tjos brief episode looks at a few of the hundreds of different extensions to give you an idea of how extensions can be used.

Editing Audio With Audacity

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:27:47 GMT

Being able to use an audio editor to create and edit music and podcasts is something that many computer users like to do. This episode talks about a free opensource software program that makes that possible for people who are not able to use the mouse. The software is called Audacity and learn how you can record, edit and manipulate audio to create what you would like to create.

Recording Text to MP3 Online

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:39:33 GMT

With the new age of portable devices like mp3 players and Ipods, are becoming part of all our lives. Many users are now using these devices to have articles, books, etc. read to them by turning text into audio.

This episode of Barrier-free Tips and Tricks is from an EASI Webinar Snapshot which talks about a free online service that allows anyone with Internet access to upload text files in a number of formats and receive an mp3 audio rendering of that file.

Learn about the power of this free service called soundtext.net.

Making Tables Accessible in Microsoft Word

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:18:39 GMT

This short tip discusses how to create tables in Word accessible to users of assistive technology. It you understand how to do this and share your documents with assistive technology users, it will make your documents readable.

Making Images Accessible in Mocrosoft Word

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:58:29 GMT

One of the most popular ways to share documents and convert them to the Web is using Microsoft Word. This short tip discusses how making images in Word accessible to users of assistive technology. It you understand how to do this and export your documents for delivery over the Web, the images in the export will also be accessible over the Web.

Going Beyond the Hype

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 05:33:08 GMT

In 2008, we are renewing our commitment to provide you wwith quality and useful information to make it easier for you to provide accessible information technology for everyone including those of us who have disabilities recognizing that accessible IT opens the world to us as never before.

Creating Accessible Content with MS Word Using Styles (Part 2)

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:30:28 GMT

Creating accessible content can be a challenge. How can you be sure that what you are creating can be used by all people, particularly when you publish to the Web?

Using styles in MS Word is a simple way of accomplishing this task. In the next few episodes we will look at how styles work.

Creating Accessible Content with MS Word Using Styles (Part 1)

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:21:36 GMT

Does Course Content Need to be Accessible?

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:08:49 GMT

Is a teacher responsible for making their course content accessible to students with disabilities? Listen to Dr. Norman Coombs discuss the topic. Listen to the comments of a pioneer in distance learning.

Customized Employment for People with Learning Disabilities (Part Four)

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:22:36 GMT

This is the second in a five part series that talks about specialized employment for people with learning disabilities. Carolyn Phillips, Manager Georgia Department of Labor/VR Tools for Life Program Vocational Rehabilitation Program, describes just what Customized Employment is and how it benefits everyone envolvoed.his is the first in a five part series that talks about specialized employment for people with learning disabilities. Carolyn Phillips, Manager Georgia Department of Labor/VR Tools for Life Program Vocational Rehabilitation Program, describes just what Customized Employment is and how it benefits everyone involved.

Customized Employment for People with Learning Disabilities (Part Three)

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:37:20 GMT

Customized Employment for People with Learning Disabilities (Part Two)

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 21:47:51 GMT

Customized Employment for People with Learning Disabilities (Part One)

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:36:19 GMT

This is the first in a five part series that talks about specialized employment for people with learning disabilities. Carolyn Phillips, Manager Georgia Department of Labor/VR Tools for Life Program
Vocational Rehabilitation Program, describes just what Customized Employment is and how it benefits everyone envolvoed.

Holiday Break

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:19:04 GMT

From all of us at EASI, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and exciting and fulfilling New year.

Barrier-free IT - Tips and Tricks

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:47:17 GMT

Here is a couple of tips that you may find helpful in working with Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Word.

Pene Chambers shares some tips that she uses when she works with students. It certainly proves that there is more than one way to skin a cat if you are working with Word.

Barrier-free IT - Tips and Tricks

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 19:49:37 GMT

Some time ago, EASI did a free live Web Conference on what podcasts are and why you just might investigate what they are all about. It was such a success, we have decided to offer another FREE live Web Conference on this topic.

Learn just what podcasts are and how you can subscribe or just listen to some podcasts to find out for yourself the wide variety of information available in this format. Investigate if doing a podcast is something you should consider.

This podcast is an overview of what we will cover and talks about a four part detailed fee base live Web Conference to be held this fall.

Barrier-free IT - Tips and Tricks

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:35:55 GMT

Webpage Evaluation as a Process (Part One)

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:54:57 GMT

This is the first in a series of podcasts on evaluating webpages as a process that was given in 2006. There are so many issues with the Web and accessibility, that it can get confusing. Just what is important and how do I know what to look for.

This series will help you form a general plan of the process.

Become an Advocate for Web Access - The AIS Toolbar (Part One)

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:38:21 GMT

For years, people who were interested in understanding Web accessibility were left to struggle with long reports that were difficult to understand. With the AIS Accessibility Toolbar for Internet Explorer, this is not longer true. The best part is that it is free.

For the next few week we will look at accessibility issues evaluation with this free IE toolbar.

Disabilities, Collection Development, and Information Resources (Part Two)

Thu, 25 May 2006 14:50:44 GMT

Linda Lucas Walling is an expert when it comes to access to libraries for people with disabilities. Linda shares valuable information on access to information including print, electronic and other formats. She also talks about valuable resources and advice on working with people with disabilities.

Disabilities, Collection Development, and Information Resources (Part One)

Thu, 18 May 2006 21:37:58 GMT

Accessibility and PDF Documents (Part two)

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:06:23 GMT

Access to Adobe PDF documents has, in the past, been a difficult accessibility issue. Today, if PDF is created properly, it can be as accessible as a Word document.

In the next two episodes of BFIT Tips and Tricks, Karen Mcall explains the problems with PDF documents and what can be done to ensure accessibility.

Accessibility and PDF Documents (Part One)

Wed, 03 May 2006 16:03:48 GMT

Basic Understanding of Web Accessibility (Part Three)

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:22:26 GMT

The last in the three part series on Web accessibility with John Slatin.

Basic Understanding of Web Accessibility (Part Two)

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 14:09:25 GMT

John Slatin, author of the book, Maximum Accessibility: Making Your Web Site More Usable for Everyone, gives an overview of Web accessibility and leads us through the major issues of Web access.

John is an international expert in this area and has presented around the world.

Basic Understanding of Web Accessibility (Part One)

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:35:20 GMT

Planning for Technology (Part Two)

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 17:19:34 GMT

James Bailey, Adaptive Technology Coordinator for the University of Oregon, discusses planning for technology growth. While this series discusses adaptive technology, planning for growth in meeting your technology needs is really the same in any field.

This series has many tips and tricks to deal with the ever expanding field of technology and keeping your institution, business or organization where it needs to be now and for the future.

Planning for Technology (Part One)

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:27:43 GMT

ToggleMouse: Software for Mouse Independence

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:44:58 GMT

While this software is very helpful for those who have trouble with arm and hand movement, it is amazing just how much more productive anyone can be when you can combine tasks into single keystrokes.

This podcasts explains how ToggleMouse can change the way you use your computer in a number of ways. Many features are helpful for everyone.

The Windows Accessibility Wizard for Low Vision and LD Users

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 18:39:11 GMT

This podcasts is taken for a series of three podcasts that present the help features built into the Windows Operating System to help people with disabilities.

This week we look at low vision features, that can also be very helpful for some LD conditions. These features are all accomplished through the use of an Accessibility Wizard, which makes the task easy and understandable.

Learning Disabilities: From Theory to Application

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 01:32:21 GMT

Assistive technology is available to help many people with learning disabilities. Ann Black, Central Washington University, talks about the need to move from theory to the application of assistive technolgy in the educational setting.

Learning Disabilities and the Power of Assistive Technology

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:38:46 GMT

Skip Stahn, co-direction of the Universal Learning Center at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) for short, is going to talk about the power assistive technology can be in the lives of folks with learning disabilities.