Summer13T2 Web 2.0 Access Barriers

This article explores the role of virtual learning environments in education. I have some gifted students at my school who find a lot of barriers or restrictions in traditional classrooms, and this could be a way for them to capitalize on their giftedness.

An article on the barriers that those with cognitive disabilities face when using the web.

This is really interesting. You all should read it. It talks about what colors to use on a web page or text to optimize concentration by those with dyslexia and how they're very different preferences than those without dyslexia.

This paper describes some barriers ESL students face with web text and how it hinders their access to material. Very interesting!

This is a slideshow for using technology for ESL classes to increase accessibility. There are lots of great suggestions for apps, the benefits of research using the web, and some interesting slides on QR codes.

Wikis, Blogs, this, that!!!! Web 2.0 causes so many barriers to different groups of people depending on the tool used. This article is great because it discusses the issue of access barriers and which groups are affected by certain 2.0 tools.

This article discusses elderly users and web accessibility. They compare elderly users to people with disabilities.

This article is about how students with learning disabilities can use text messaging, wikis, and blogs to help in the classroom. Since blogging is something we have talked about in class, it's great to see how a tool like this isn't a barrier for students with learning disabilities, but how it can help them shine in a classroom.

Ali- I find your article very helpful. I especially liked the part about Blogging since I am new to the blogging world. I learned that Blogging can be quite helpful for getting teens to express themselves more freely and more frequently. I find it interesting that teen bloggers write more often. I do think that it is hard to get reluctant teens to write...especially with pen and paper. In regards to disabilities, it is very helpful on a personal level. My friend's daughter had surgery called DBS-Deep Brain Stimulation for her condition called Dystonia. She has had to learn to use her left hand, so she has not been writing as often. I am here in Maine with her now and she is recovering beautifully. Blogging would be a great way to get her writing again.Thank you, Ali! My friend Jenny thanks you too.

For many people, the term "disability" conjures up images of individuals with physical impairments. We need to think more broadly. It seems to me that anyone who is denied full access to information and ideas -- or the means to express themselves as individuals -- has a type of disability.

This article is by George Lucas, the founder of Edutopia. He talks about his feeling that technology can help all of us achieve our own potential and discover our own disabilities.

This site is a great resource for teachers or parents that are unfamiliar with disabilities. It gives background knowledge about learning disabilities as well as, suggestions for schoolwork, homework, accommodations and assistive technology. The assistive technology section has a variety of suggestions, videos, books and apps that are helpful for teachers and parents alike.

This is a great site that you found Kim. As a teacher it is always tricky to address accommodations and adjust to the modifications some of our SPED students need. It also has a lot of information for parents too.

Twurdy uses text analysis software to rate a website's reading level using a color coded system. This would help a student find age appropriate information when researching. Some of the topics that we research are volcanoes, planets, and the weather. I currently limit students to using certain websites that I link to my school website. With this search engine I could allow students to have more independence and find reliable information that is age-appropriate.

In this article there are several common Web 2.0 applications discussed. There are also examples of common accessibility problems with web 2.0 pages. This best part of this web page is the list of ways that web designers and companies that have disabled employees can check for accessibility and make their pages accessible if they are not.

This blog post features explanations about Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0 and the static vs. dynamic abilities of both. An explanation is included as to what changes to the web are occurring with Web 2.0 applications and how that impacts disabled users. Towards the end, the author shares where the future for web 2.0 accessibility is going. He shares his predictions about what the new WCAG 2 guidelines will bring to web users and web creators. I chose this article because it simplified some of the tech terminology as well as gave insight about what the options are for the future of the web and differently-abled users.

Fizz Brain Apps were designed by teachers for students with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. They focus on social skills and creative play. The Feel and Write App is practice in writing letters with fun materials such as shaving cream and chocolate. The Look In My Eyes Apps are an engaging way to allow students to practice making eye contact.

This free download enables you to choose text from a word document, the Internet, or a pdf file and listen to the words being read. The upgraded version gives different voice options. I could have students use this when reading about a science topic on the computer because the vocabulary is difficult. This is helpful for students with tracking problems and dyslexia.

I chose this article primarily because it talks about how important it is that inclusion is so necessary especially on the world wide web. This is indeed the place that EVERYONE has access to what is available. It was a bit discouraging to find this statement: "Despite the fact that the United States has the world's most comprehensive policy for Internet accessibility and that clear guidance for creating accessible technologies already exists, designers and developers of Web software and hardware technologies in industry, academia, and government often exploit holes in existing policy to ignore the needs of people with disabilities. As a result, most Internet-related technologies are born inaccessible, cutting out some or all users with disabilities."  Do creators do this because it's easier? Possibly, but shortcuts leave too many people without access. 

This provides a variety of links to methods that help with accessibility and usability from the ADA National Network. It shares keyboard shortcuts for accessibility as well. 

This shares a variety of accessibility options for those with visual, auditory, physical, speech and cognitive disabilities.  

This article gives good advice on how to test a website for accessibility.