Who Trains the Trainer? EASI's month-long online course, Train the Trainer starting July 7, does the job! http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm Schools, libraries and similar institutions, that serve a broad public, may want or be required to provide support to clients with disabilities in using the special, adaptive technology they require to use computers and access information technology resources. This can be a daunting task especially when that support person needs to have familiarity on several systems but only uses that know-how on an infrequent basis. EASI's Train the Trainer course aims at providing the introductory skills that such a support person needs and to empower them with tip sheets that they can use to prompt themselves and prevent their growing rusty in between serving customers who need their help. The course is based on the text, written by one of the course instructors, "Adaptive Technologies for Learning and Work Environments, Second Edition" by Joseph J. Lazzaro. The book is available in both print and CD-ROM formats. Both the text and the course translate technical computer jargon into terms readily understandable by those who use technology but who are not technologists. The lessons will show how and where to obtain demo versions of adaptive technology software that students can use for hands-on experience. It also includes tips for giving instruction to users with disabilities. The course is interactive, and students can share concerns and experiences with each other. EASI's previous courses have reached more than 4,000 people in over 3 dozen countries. Everyone completing the course will receive a certificate of completion from EASI. Those wishing to receive university continuing education units for the course can request that, and anyone taking 5 of EASI's online courses will qualify for the Certificate in Accessible Information Technology provided in partnership with the University of Southern Maine. EASI courses are entirely online. Course content is available anytime and from any where on the Web. Course interaction uses an e-mail listserv discussion system. There may also be occasional, optional, sychronous voice chat meetings. Course syllabus and online registration is at: http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm All students will also receive a CD containing many of the course resources and also including a PowerPoint presentation that can be used by students to share this information with other staff. For more information, write Norm Coombs, [log in to unmask] Course lessons and Assignments LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING USERS WITH DISABILITIES ON adaptive computer technology Part 1 Participant and course introduction Part 2 How much do I really have to know? Part 3 Disability groups most commonly using adaptive technology Part 4 Scope of the technology to be covered Part 5 Introduction to training people with disabilities Part 6: etiquette and political correctness issues Part 7: Producing accessible training materials: Part 8: Confidentiality! Part 9: Report writing LESSON 2 OVERVIEW OF PERSONAL COMPUTER HARDWARE PLATFORMS Recommended Reading: Lazzaro, Chapter 1 Part 1. Introduction to PC hardware systems Part 2: Input devices Part 3: Output devices Part 4: The CPU and mother board Part 5: Memory and disk drives Part 6: CD-ROM, DVD, and CD writers Part 7: Ports: Serial, Parallel, USB, InfraRed, Other Part 8: Modems and Network connections Part 9: Scanners, CAMERAS, and other peripherals LESSON 3 THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM AND ACCESSIBILITY Recommended Reading: Lazzaro, Chapter 2 Part 1: Introduction to operating systems and applications software Part 2: Overview of the Windows operating systeM: 3.1 TO XP Part 3: Windows accessibility utilities overview Part 4: Magnifier Part 5: Narrator Part 6: OnScreen Keyboard Part 7: Utility Manager Part 8: Running Windows from the keyboard LESSON 4 TECHNOLOGY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CONSUMERS Recommended Reading: Lazzaro, Chapter Three Part 1: Introduction and Overview Part 2: Screen Readers Part 3: Screen Magnification software Part 4: Closed Circuit Television Systems Part 5: Scanning Technology Part 6: Braille printers and translation software LESSON 5 TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONS WITH HEARING RELATED DISABILITIES Recommended Reading: Lazzaro, Chapter four Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Amplification Systems Part 3: Text Telephones (TTY) Part 4: Relay Services Part 5: Pagers, Instant Messaging, and Chat Part 6: Baudot ASCII modems Part 7: Captioning Part 8: Transcription and CART Reporting Lesson 6 ALTERNATIVE INPUT SYSTEMS Recommended Reading: Lazzaro, Chapter Five Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Alternative Keyboards and Keyguards Part 3: Key modification software Part 4: On Screen Keyboards Part 5: Voice Recognition and dictation Appendix Materials The following is a listing of keyboard shortcuts and command summaries for the windows operating system, popular applications software, and the major screen reading, magnification, and scanning solutions. The list also includes some of the more popular Macintosh based assistive technology solutions. 1. Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts 2. Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcuts 3. WordPerfect Keyboard Shortcuts 4. Netscape Keyboard Shortcuts 5. Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts 6. Outlook Express Keyboard Shortcuts 7. Freedom Scientific Jaws command summary 8. GW Micro Window Eyes command summary 9. AI Squared ZoomText command summary 10. Freedom Scientific Magic command summary 11. Kurzweil 1000 & 3000 command summary 12. Freedom Scientific OpenBook command summary 13. Dragon Naturally speaking command summary 14. Alva Access Outspoken for the Mac command summary 15. Alva Access Inlarge for the Mac command summary ----------------------------- Train the Trainer begins July 7 and runs for 4 weeks. Syllabus and registration are at: http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm ------------------------ EASI Juluy Courses http://easi.cc/workshop.htm Beginner Barrier-free Web Design Train the Trainer ... . Norman Coombs CEO EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) (949) 922-5992 (cell)