One week to go to register for this basic EASI online course starting
October 1:

Barrier-Free Information Technology
Adapting Computers and Information Technology for Users with Disabilities
Online Month-long Course Starting October 1
http://easi.cc/workshops/adaptit.htm

EASI is a non-profit organization dedicated to the belief that students and
professionals with disabilities have the same right to access information
as anyone else.  EASI has been delivering online training for almost a
decade to over 5,000 people in more than 40 countries.

The course gives a broad overview of adaptive computer technologies, of the
disability groups which most benefit from these technologies, of relevant
legislation and provides the framework needed by an institution to
establish an organization-wide, systematic program to become information
technology barrier-free.  It is ideal for administrators, information
technology staff, instructional technology staff, disability services
staff, librarians and also for concerned faculty.  Below is the list of 10
lessons and the major topics they cover.  Note that lessons 9-10 have just
been completed with a special focus on librarians and on disability
services.  Participants can earn continuing education units from the
University of Southern Maine or apply the course towards the new
Certificate in Accessible Information Technology.  Registration and pricing
information is at http://easi.cc/workshops/adaptit.htm



Lesson 1: Introductions and definitions:
Part 1: Introductions
Part 2: Definitions:
Part 3: E-mail and internet listservs
Assignment 1: Introductions and joining listserv discussions

Lesson 2: Reasons to Adapt Your Information and Computer Systems
Part 1: It's the right Thing to Do
Part 2: It Makes Economic Sense
Part 3: Do It for Yourself!
Part 4: It's the Law
Assignment 2: Sharing relevant information

Lesson 3: Computer input problems and solutions
Part 1: Computer-related definitions:
Part 2: Alternative input systems for people with motor impairments
Part 3: Alternative input devices for other disability groups
Assignment 3: Using Windows access features

Lesson 4: Computer output problems and solutions
Part 1: Output issues for users who are blind
Part 2: Output issues for users who have limited vision and users who have
visual or cognitive processing disabilities
Part 3: Output issues for other disability groups
Assignment 4: Revisiting previous assignments

Lesson 5: Compensatory Strategies and Disability Etiquette
Part 1: What is a compensatory strategy?
Part 2: Do I have to be politically correct?
Part 3: Etiquette tips for service providers
Assignment 5: Disability-related resources on the World Wide Web

Lesson 6: Access to print information
Part 1: Creating and adapting electronic texts
Part 2: Problems related to braille and tactile drawings
Part 3: Creating texts for the web
Assignment 6: Create 2 simple texts for use on the web

Lesson 7: Access to physical facilities and staff training
Part 1: Physical access to the computer itself
Part 2: Designing a model accessible work station
Part 3: Training the technology support staff
Assignment 7: What do you have to know?

Lesson 8: Planning for an Accessible Campus or Institution
Part 1: Implications of decentralized computing
Part 2: Who do you need on your team?
Part 3: Looking at One Example
Assignment 8: Developing a 12-18 month plan

Lesson 9: Accessible Information Technology for Libraries
Part 1 Pointers to several books on accessibility for persons with
disabilities
useful to librarians
Part 2 Pointers to past EASI webcasts by librarians
Part 3 Pointer to the recent ALA policy statement on accessibility for
consumers
with disabilities
Part 4 Onsite adaptive computer technology hardware and software
Part 5 Providing access to non-digital library materials
Assignment 9: Develop a draft Sample brochure of the library commitment to
consumers with
disabilities including a statement on consumer rights and responsibilities.

Lesson 10: Practical Program for Disabled Student Service Staff
Part 1: Conduct a campus needs assessment of adaptive hardware and software
Part 2: Plan for adapting a science lab with accessibility
Part 3: provision of text in alternative formats especially specialized
scientific texts
Part 4: Develop a training program and training materials to train students
with
disabilities on adaptive software and hardware
Assignment 10: Create a draft outreach information document to be used
with faculty and to contact students with disabilities

Instructors:
Joseph J. Lazzaro, Richard Banks and Norman Coombs.

Joe Lazzaro works for the Mass. Commision for the Blind and is the author
of several books on adaptive technology as well as many science fiction
stories.  Joe's most recent book, published by the American Library
Association, is: ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS
SECOND EDITION which is also available from specialneeds.com