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Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students

Continuous Learning Support due to COVID-19

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has chosen to use the language “Continuous Learning” as opposed to “eLearning”, “distance learning” or “virtual learning” to help school leaders think holistically and progressively about how to best meet the needs of all learners.

The PATINS Project is providing increased support to Indiana educators through virtual meetings and resource guides as access and equity must be considered when developing and implementing continuous learning plans.

Accessible Digital Content

Are your lessons accessible for students and their parents/caregivers? With the move to continuous learning, adults in the home have taken on a greater role in assisting students with school work. If the materials sent home or online lessons are not accessible for those with visual impairments, those who are deaf/hard of hearing, and/or for those who have difficulty with reading printed text, your students may not have the same access to the content as other students. This can lead to both student and parent/caregiver frustration. Take a look at the Accessible Digital Content document or view the corresponding webinar recording for no-cost ways you can ensure the presentation of the content is accessible for a broad range of users.

Continuous Learning and Accommodations

When providing remote instruction and learning activities to students with Individual Education Programs (IEP) and Section 504 Plans, it is required to provide accommodations as stated within each student’s plan. The Indiana Department of Education - Office of Special Education, in collaboration with the Indiana IEP Resource Center (IEPRC), has developed a list of daily accommodations that are frequently used by students in the brick and mortar setting and examples of how these accommodations can be applied remotely when implementing continuous learning.

Continuous Learning Resources for Students using AAC

Compiled by PATINS Project Staff and local educators, the "Using Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) while eLearning" document contains back up/low tech AAC boards* and core word and language learning activities that students can use in the home. 

*Note: The back up/low tech AAC boards are not necessarily an equitable replacement of the system(s) provided by a school for free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Compliance Pointers on Computers and Other Assistive Technology Devices

As schools offer a variety of instructional options (in-person learning, virtual or remote instruction, or blended), students may have new or additional needs for electronic devices or technology to enable them to participate in instruction and access instructional materials.

Described and Captioned Media Program

DCMP provides access to over 8,000 accessible educational videos through online streaming and DVD. Families, educators, and other professionals who have at least one student with a disability are eligible for a free membership. Registration is simple and easy.

Digital Educational Materials and Resources for Continuous Learning

Best practices are to create, maintain, and support students with accessible educational materials. This will allow students to access grade-level content independently and access content at their comprehension level. While this is a resource for eBooks, available audiobooks, and other reading supports, please be mindful that students who need accessible formats of text (audio, digital, braille, and large print), should have access to those needed formats with all classroom materials.

Family Resources

A list of local and national family resource organizations that may be able to provide additional support to your students' families. You may wish to share the document "7 Parent Tips: Engaging in Your Child's Education at Home" from Hands & Voices.

Guiding Policy Questions for Your Continuous Learning Team

This resource can help guide your district's continuous learning teams while constructing a comprehensive policy for providing digital instruction.

ICAM

The ICAM team would like to offer supports and resources to assist educators, parents, and anyone who will be assisting students while schools are shut down. Please let us know if you have any information that we can share with others.

Organizations Funding Assistive Technology

Find a list of service organizations that may provide aid during the purchasing process for student's assistive technology needs.

Professional Development Guide

PATINS specialists have scheduled extra no-cost webinars that will have strategies and tools for accessible continuous learning. Topics include captioning solutions, supporting students with emotional disabilities, working on core words/AAC at home, ways to use the Desmos online calculator suite, Windows accessibility, receiving digital formats of curriculum texts for students with print disabilities, and more. Register through the Calendar on our website. Webinars can also be requested for any time and on any topic to assist with the implementation of continuous learning. Complete the form to request a training.

Twitter Chat

Join #PatinsIcam Twitter Chat Tuesdays at 8:30 PM Eastern starting in September 2020 to discuss accessibility, assistive technology, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), all with a focus on continuous learning. Indiana educators can earn 1 Professional Growth Point for attending and completing a short questionnaire. If you have never attended one of our chats before, we encourage you to try it and join our supportive personal learning network.

UDL & Special Education Considerations for Continuous Learning

Find tools, strategies, guiding questions, and other resources to support universal design for learning (UDL) and special education while implementing continuous learning and instruction.

Video Conferencing Tool Support


This Table to Compare Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype & Zoom
is provided to help compare four video conferencing solutions used by Indiana Educators. It will help you determine which platform is most beneficial for your students to use.  It is not exhaustive and if you need additional support, please reach out to a PATINS Specialist.

View Zoom instructions for students who use the video conferencing tool on Computer, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android, and Phone. Includes common troubleshooting support. View Keeping Your Zoom Rooms Safe and Private for suggestions on settings and habits for hosts.

View Google Meet Instructions for students who use the video conferencing tool on Computer, Chromebook, iOS, Android, and Phone.

What About Assistive Technology Lending Library Loans?

Please contact Assistive Technology Lending Library Staff with questions/concerns regarding loans and shipping policies.


 

 

 

Accessible Digital Content

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 

Guiding document created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Widely accepted and adopted into policy around the world. The U.S. Department of Justice has consistently required compliance with WCAG 2.0 in many judgements. This document has broken down accessibility into four areas, P.O.U.R - Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust 

Perceivable 

  • Alt text - no images of text with the exception of logos
  • Closed captions or transcript
  • Sufficient contrast
  • Legible fonts & proper spacing
  • Meaning not solely conveyed by color
  • Meaningful sequence

Operable

  • Clear headings / info structure
  • Descriptive links
  • Keyboard operation
  • No flashing content
  • Sufficient time to respond / interact

Understandable

  • Clear directions / models
  • Consistent navigation
  • Plain language
  • Define abbreviations
  • Indicate document language
  • Error identification

Robust

  • Test for accessibility
  • Test for use with basic assistive technology

Design & Accessibility Elements


Headings

  • Use Heading 1 for the topic of the page or document 
    • Use only one Heading 1 per page or document
  • Headings 2-4 follow
    • Most web pages won’t use headings past level 4
  • Don’t skip heading levels

Color & Contrast 

Images & Alt text - Image Description

  • Keep all images “In Line with Text” and use the alignment buttons to change the location of the image. Images not inline will not be read by a screen reader.
  • All images conveying meaning should have alt text added to the description field of the alt text dialog box
  • Decorative images do not require alt text
  • Avoid images of text
    • If using an image of text, it must be given alt text to the description field of the alt text dialog box
  • Detailed images should have detailed descriptions
    • Add long descriptions as a caption or in a separate doc or appendix that is hyperlinked to the image caption or adjacent text
  • Ensure inserted text boxes images, shapes, SmartArt, videos, charts, and embedded objects also have alt text

Videos: Captions & Audio Descriptions

  • All video content must be captioned
  • Videos should not automatically start playing or loop
  • Video command buttons must be present
  • Automatic captions are available for live presentations in Google Slides & Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Additional captioning resources
  • Audio descriptions describe nonverbal content in a video

Recognizable Links That Are Clear

  • Links should be visually distinguishable
    • (Typically) blue & underlined
    • Reserve all underlines for hyperlinks
  • Hyperlinks should be descriptive describing where the link goes or what it does
    • Avoid “click here” or "read more" as these are not descriptive
  • Use shortened links when URL must be given
  • Links should open in the same window or the user should be alerted when opening a new window

Font & Writing

  • Write between 5th-8th grade reading level
  • Use true text (avoid images of text)
    • Logos are the exception; still need alt text
  • Avoid justified & centered text
  • Avoid using all CAPS & Italics
    • If needing to bring attention to your text, consider adding an asterisk or text like, "Please Note" to indicate importance to users of screen readers in addition to any visual indicators like bold or highlights
  • Use basic Sans Serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, Helvetica
  • Be mindful of line length (60-70 characters per line)

Charts & Tables

  • Don’t use tables for layout
  • Avoid merged cells
  • Tables should have headers
    • Use a simple table structure, and ensure that you have a header for each column. You must also specify column header information. *Grackle will assist with this. In Word, you’ll want to make sure that Header Row is checked on the Table Tools Design tab (this is the default setting)
    • If a table spans more than one page, you’ll need to ensure the header row is repeated on each page:
      • Right click on table > Table Properties > Row > Check “Repeat as header row at the top of each page
    • Verify table structure with tab key
  • Charts should be given alt text 
    • Info displayed in chart should be described in narrative form or included in a table

Lists & Spacing

  • Use provided buttons for bulleted or numbered lists & indentation
    • Don’t create lists with shapes or symbols & spacebar or tab key
  • Create white space with Paragraph & Spacing (Line spacing) button (if available) rather than Enter

Slide Accessibility

Layouts & Titles

  • Use the provided slide layouts; creating your own layout causes disruption in the reading order for use with a screen reader
  • All slides need unique titles:
    • When information continues onto a new slide, make it unique by adding numbers to the titles (i.e. Accessibility 1, Accessibility 2, etc…)
    • If you don’t want a title to be shown, you can adjust its visibility in PowerPoint from the Home tab > Select > Selection Pane > turn off visibility by clicking the eye icon

Videos & Captions

  • Make sure all videos are properly captioned with controls to turn captions on or off and to stop, start, and pause the video
  • Use live subtitles in Google Slides (Slides demo video) or PowerPoint (built-in captions for Mac or PC demo video) *Please note that PowerPoint may need to be updated on your Mac or PC in order to access the automatic caption feature in this program. 
    • Use Microsoft PowerPoint's Present Live feature for paid 365 subscribers to provide access to translated captions for students or attendees as well as some additional presentation features like live reactions (Present Live demo videos).

Alt Text

  • Ensure inserted text boxes images, shapes, SmartArt, videos, charts, and embedded objects have alt text by right-clicking on the image and selecting “Alt text / Edit Alt Text”
    • The alt text should be added to the Description field
    • If you are adding a logo to all of your slides, add it to first slide with alt text and then insert it into the rest of your slides via the slide master

Lists & Spacing

  • Avoid “hard enters.” Instead of adding extra space by pressing enter, adjust your line spacing with spacing button in the toolbar, or simply accept the automatic formatting Office or GSuite offers you
  • When adding a bulleted or numbered list, use the bulleted or numbered list and indent buttons in the top menu ribbon during creation
    • Do not create lists with symbols and the space or tab keys; these are not read correctly by screen readers

Links

  • Use meaningful hyperlinks that describe what the link does rather than adding long URL links
  • If wanting to show the link, create a shortened link at bitly.com or tinyurl.com

Font & Reading Order

  • Use sufficient font size and avoid the use of multiple fonts:
    • Approx. 40 point titles and approx. 20 point or larger font for text
  • Ensure that slide has a sensible reading order:
    • Reading order can be tested in both PowerPoint and G Slides by clicking on the title slide and using the tab key to move object to object. The order in which items are highlighted is the slide reading order
      • You can also check the reading order in PowerPoint from the Home tab > Select > Selection Pane. The Selection Pane also allows users to turn off the visibility of items while remaining in the reading order
    • Recommendation for fixing an illogical reading order - create a new slide and then copy and paste in items from inaccessible slide onto the new slide in the order you want them to be read starting with the title

Color & Contrast

  • Ensure slide backgrounds and font include sufficient contrast
  • Color should not be the only way you convey meaning
  • Avoid flashing content

Accessibility Testing Tools

Accessibility testers don’t find all of the errors; however, they do offer a good place to start. Website testing by an individual with disabilities and/or formal consulting company is preferred. AEM Center’s list of consulting companies.

GSuite

  • Download the Grackle add-on for an accessibility audit in G Slides, Sheets, and/or Docs

Office 365

  • An accessibility checker (“Check Accessibility” button) is built into Office 365 products on the Review tab 

Chrome Extensions

Bookmarklets

3 Things to Remember

  • Remember to run all of your pages through the checkers
  • Checkers won’t catch everything; human intervention will be needed
  • Check pages when adding new content

Accessibility Statement/Policy

Shares the district’s or co-op’s commitment to accessibility 
  • The Department of Justice has consistently required compliance with WCAG 2.0
  • Good faith effort matters
  • Include steps have you taken & acknowledge the desire to correct errors
  • Can include list of assistive technologies or built-in features to help access content
  • Include grievance procedure with contact information
  • Examples
  • Campus Suite Policy Template helps create an internal district or co-op policy

Employment

Open Position: PATINS Specialist with a primary focus on Deaf & Hard of Hearing and Google Accessibility

Position Type: PATINS/Specialist

Position Purpose: Under the general supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of PATINS and in collaboration with the other PATINS staff, this position exists to provide technical assistance, training, and professional development in order to assist students, teachers, administrators, related service providers, and families in enabling all students to derive the fullest potential educational experience from Indiana PK-12 public school through accessibility and engagement in the general curriculum. This involves assistive technology, accessible educational materials, and universal design for learning.

Reports To: PATINS State Director

Position Begins: January 10, 2024

Requirements:

  1. An open mind and willingness to learn, adapt, and grow on a daily basis.
  2. Bachelor’s Degree and experience in related education field, Master’s not required but beneficial.
  3. A fundamental knowledge of/experience with PATINS-ICAM is strongly preferred.
  4. Basic experience and knowledge in the areas of accessible educational materials (AEM), assistive technology (AT), Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
  5. Basic awareness of federal and state rules and regulations governing the provision of services to students with disabilities, including IDEA and Article 7.
  6. The ability & strong desire to effectively, creatively, and positively support the mission of increasing access to and achievement in the general curriculum for ALL students in Indiana public K-12 learning environments.
  7. Exceptional oral, written and interpersonal communication and customer service skills to handle complex and sensitive interactions between PATINS staff and stakeholders statewide.
  8. Good conflict resolution and effective decision-making skills.
  9. Excellent organizational skills to display the ability to provide timely, accurate information and meet all reporting requirements.
  10. Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines for a number of simultaneous job demands.
  11. Effective, enthusiastic, creative, and positive public presentation, training and speaking skills.
  12. Computer and technology skills including basic Microsoft Windows, Office, Mac OS, iOS, Google, cloud storage and documents, and excellent digital organization skills and a desire to routinely learn new technology.
  13. Ability to effectively and efficiently work both very independently and in team situations and collaborations.
  14. Ability to travel in-state and, much less frequently, out-of-state.
  15. Teaching or related-field practitioner’s license not required, but beneficial and preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  1. Indiana State Certification/License in education or related service (VI, SLP, OT, PT) strongly preferred.
  2. Significant experience with Deaf & Hard of Hearing related service provision in K12 public education.
  3. Master’s Degree in education or related field encouraged and preferred.
  4. A fundamental knowledge of/experience with PATINS-ICAM is strongly preferred
  5. Knowledge of child psychology and development principles, assessment, pedagogy, behavior modification, etc., and current developments in child psychology.
  6. Knowledge of MTSS, differentiated instruction, secondary transition, and Universal Design for Learning.
  7. Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
  8. Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding PK-12 public education, especially special education (Article 7).
  9. Ability to organize and coordinate work with many others, including stakeholders and colleagues.
  10. Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
  11. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Responsibilities/Duties:

Amongst other duties as assigned by the Director, responsibilities primarily include: Providing technical assistance, training, professional development, classroom observations/training/consultation, disseminating information and connecting regional administrators, teachers, service providers and parents with needed assistive technology, AEM, and UDL knowledge, tools, and resources as well as supporting all PATINS statewide initiatives.

For additional job details, salary, benefits, and to apply for the position, please visit the job posting. If you have questions, please contact PATINS Director Daniel McNulty at dmcnulty@patinsproject.org

Specialists

Each specialist serves the entire state of Indiana. Reach out to individual specialists with your inquiries based upon their speciality areas or email us for assistance getting started.  

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