Announcing BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY:       an online workshop
led by Norm Coombs and Dick Banks, of The TLT Group's award-winning Project
EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information). This new four-week
workshop will help participants harness the power of adaptive computer
technology so that students with disabilities can compete on a level
playing field. Participants will leave the workshop with an individualized
plan to make technology at their institution "barrier-free" and in
conformity with the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As computers become an integral part of more courses, failing to
provide adaptive tools will deny a full education to some learners with
disabilities.  But adaptive technologies also accommodate a variety of
learning styles, so the benefits of their widespread deployment extend to
the entire educational community.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Today's distributed computer environment means that providing support for
the technology needs of students with disabilities is an institution-wide
responsibility, requiring extensive planning and cooperation across many
departments.  It is no longer the sole province of the computer staff, nor
can it be relegated to the disabled student office. If "it takes a village
to raise a child," then, it takes the entire campus to support the adaptive
technology needs of students with disabilities.

BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY will help participants master the
complex technological, legal, pedagogical issues in this area, resulting in
the creation of a customized barrier-free campus educational technology
plan.   Current adaptive technologies will be critiqued and their
appropriate application explored.  Specific and practical strategies such
as designing barrier-free computer labs, adapting course materials, and
effective staff training will be provided.

TERM
BARRIER FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY begins on Monday, September 20 and will
continue through Friday, October 15 -- a four-week term.

AUDIENCE
BARRIER-FREE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY is designed for administrators,
faculty, librarians, computer support staff, ADA compliance officers,
service providers and disabled student support staff.

REQUIREMENTS
The workshop will be taught over the Internet using an e-mail listserv to
connect the workshop leaders and fellow participants.  Workshop material
will be delivered via the listserv and using multimedia on the web.
Participants will need a recent browser (either Internet Explorer version
4.0 or higher, or Netscape 4.5 or higher, with Java features enabled) and
Internet access.

The textbook, "Information Access and Adaptive Technology" (Oryx, 1997) by
Coombs and Cunningham can be purchased from www.amazon.com.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
Three continuing education units from the Rochester Institute of Technology
are available on request.

LEADERS
Richard Banks is Electronic Resource Manager, Project EASI, and technical
advisor to The TLT Group.  Dick was awarded an honorary Doctorate from
Mahidol University in Thailand, where he directed the efforts to establish
an Internet presence for Ratchasuda College.
Norman Coombs, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at the Rochester Institute of
Technology. Coombs is the co-author of "Information Access and Adaptive
Technology" published in 1997 by Oryx Press. He was awarded the CASE
Teacher of the Year Award for New York State in 1990 for his work in
distance learning.
Dr. Coombs and Mr. Banks are well known for their work with Project EASI, a
The TLT Group core program.   EASI is committed to the belief that students
and professionals with disabilities have the same right to access
information as everyone else. To achieve this goal, EASI runs on-site and
on-line workshops, maintains three listserv discussion groups, produces an
electronic journal and sponsors a substantial web site at
http://www.rit.edu/~easi. EASI's work has been supported by three
dissemination grants from the National Science Foundation.


REGISTRATION
For registration fees and to register, please use our online registration
form at
http://www.tltgroup.org/forms/bfreeed.htm
For registration questions, please contact Tameekia Clayborne, TLT Group
registration manager, at 212-463-7888 or at [log in to unmask]

Content or listserv questions should be directed to Norm Coombs
[log in to unmask] or EASI's Administrative Assistant Beth at
[log in to unmask] (716) 244-9065.

WORKSHOP SYLLABUS
Lesson 1:  Introductions and Definitions
-- introductions of instructors and participants
-- overview of the workshop
-- basic definitions
Lesson 2: Four Reasons For Barrier-Free Educational Technology
-- it's the right thing to do
-- it makes economic sense
-- it's the law
-- self-interest
Lesson 3:  Computer Input Problems And Solutions
-- explanation of which disability groups have problems
with keyboard and/or mouse input systems
-- alternative keyboard systems
-- alternative mouse systems
-- voice recognition
Lesson 4:  Computer Output Problems And Solutions
-- text-to-speech synthesizers
-- screen magnification systems
-- refreshable Braille and Braille embossers
Lesson 5: Compensatory Strategies
-- how users with disabilities use computer technology to
compensate for their disability
-- how to use the adapted computer as an interface to scientific and math
equipment
Lesson 6:  Access To Physical Facilities And Staff Training
-- designing a computer lab to accommodate users with different disabilities
-- the importance of both sensitivity and technical training for staff
Lesson 7:  Access To Educational Information
-- how to provide lab manuals and materials in alternative
formats
-- how to provide class materials in alternative formats
-- how to prepare institute materials in alternate formats
Lesson 8:  Planning for an Accessible Campus or Institution
-- developing an implementation plan for your institution

For questions regarding workshop content, please contact Norm Coombs at
[log in to unmask]