http://www.rit.edu/~easi Coombs says, "The one time that blindness was an advantage was, way back in the early 1980s, when I helped my college launch an online learning program. Because I am blind, the computer was for me a communication tool while others had not yet understood that. This resulted in my becoming an Internet, distance learning pioneer. Banks and Coombs have used distance learning extensively in EASI's outreach, and they discuss distance learning and accessibility in a video from a recent conference. They believe that many of the insights that make online learning more accessible for students with disabilities also result in making it more accessible and usable for everyone. In November, 2 of EASI's online courses are directly relevant to assist colleges and universities make their online learning systems fully accessible for students with disabilities: Barrier-free E-learning http://easi.cc/workshops/bfel.htm Accessible Internet Multimedia http://easi.cc/workshops/mmedia.htm In January, EASI will offer the first presentation of another relevant course: Designing Accessible Course Content Using Familiar Software http://easi.cc/workshops/dacc.htm This course is aimed specifically at course designers who are not experts in computers and in information technology. It will enable them to provide accessible course content without having to turn themselves into technology gurus! EASI believes in making the process of providing accessibility itself easy for content creators. ** EASI has begun 2 series of synchronous voice chat clinics to deal with specific accessibility issues in hour-long, live presentations where the audience can also participate: http://easi.cc/clinic.htm ------------------------------ EASI's October, month-long online courses: Beginner Barrier-free Web Design: http://easi.cc/workshops/easiweb.htm Train the Trainer: http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm Learning Disabilities and Information Technology http://easi.cc/workshops/ld.htm (a package of five courses will earn the Certificate in Accessible Information Technology) http://easi.cc/workshop.htm Norman Coombs, Ph.D. CEO EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) 22196 Caminito Tasquillo Laguna Hills CA 92653 home: (949) 855-4852 Cell: (949) 922-5992 E-mail: [log in to unmask] http://www.rit.edu/~nrcgsh