www.podbean.com/ei/pb-ehjy2-db32d6
What are Disability Students’ Allowances? Who are they for and what AT supports them. This week we introduce some of those tools. In future weeks’ episodes will we will consider other tools that are DSA approved .
Voice control to make a call to Zoom
If you have lost hand function and you want to join a zoom meeting you are basically stumped as you have to manually input the meeting ID , participant number, and password .
Now, I have discovered a way to do this by voice using Siri, iPhone and a zoom meeting. It boils down to a couple of commas, the meeting ID # and more commas to give a pause and then more ,,, to end with a # . If you are skeptic or need to see how this works here’s a video to prove it.
Imagine you are blind as well as loss of hand function this is truly debilitating and require speech only the method, the only press made was for you to hear the process in real-time.
Chromebook Accessibility Features
This webpage gives you an article explaining all the accessibilty features in Chromebooks . There are links to videos that cane explain how to setup the features and turn them on
Go to:-
And to watch a video now, see this one on highlights around the cursor:-
Google Meet: EDU in 90
This is helpful set of videos updating you on Google products. Go to:-
Access to Work
Did you know as an employer you can get help for your employees from the Access to Work scheme?
Here is the link to further information and the application process
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
AccessAbility Solutions can advise you on the kinds of solutions that can help you from seating to alternative input methods to your computer. Give us a call or book a 15 min free consultation to discuss your requirements.
It’s not just about life-long disabled people it is also about those in your workforce who suffer illness and life changing circumstances and need help.
AAS is sub-contracted to conduct Assistive Technology Training for Neurobox.
Revamp of AccessAbility Solution Website
I have been having a spring clean of the site. A re-organisation of the tabs mainly and adding some additional material. Have you looked at the Podcast? Lots of Assistive Technology discussed all in less than 5 minute episodes. Also, Contact now has my calendar and booking a free 15 min call and chat to discuss your Assistive Technology needs. Resources has been streamlined into a more accessible format for use on Mobiles. Long drop downs now replaced with headings. At AAS we enjoy expanding our knowledge base and make this website a go to place for all teachers, parents and professionals using Assistive Technlogy.
Our Home Page as become About – so that we can explain who we are and what we do. But we continue to share the latest and most interesting developments in Assistive Technology in the UK. We are committed to raising the awareness of Assistive Technology in the UK along with the British Assistive Technology Association ( http://bataonline.org)
Assistive Technology for free
Here is an ongoing list for those who might find this helpful:-
AbilityNet has a set of useful advice suitable for different conditions
Voice control for Chrome – extension from the chrome store
Chrome Store – lotts of extensions for Chrome
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon
Google Keep – for remembering and storing information
Grammarly- online support for writing
Google Docs – on the tools menu voice typing is a good aide to writing
Microphone in www.google.co.uk gets overlooked as an access tool
Typing Assistant – word prediction tool
NDVA – screenreader – https://www.nvaccess.org/
Look also at Ease of Access (Windows 10) – list of adjustments to make your computer more accessible. ( see powerpoint “Accessibility in Windows 10)
AppWriter Cloud – text to speech, word prediction, pdf reader and overlay writer
Dwell Clicker – not free £12 but for those who can’t click on a mouse. Download for free
https://thinksmartbox.com/download-dwell-clicker-2/thank-you-for-downloading-dwell-clicker/
ACE pointers for older systems eg Windows 7 does what ease of access does for windows 10
WordTalk – free text to speech for older microsoft word
https://www.wordtalk.org.uk/download/
Apps
Remember the Milk – https://www.rememberthemilk.com/
Mindmeister – free mindmapping software
ClaroSpeak – text to speech, word prediction – free download both android and iOS
Mozilla has some good assistive technology features such as zoom which expands all the text and makes the browser more accessible.
Opera Browser – has a clear interface and therefore easier to navigate
Safari (on an Ipad) – there is a text screen on this which is great for studying and research students.
Texthelp – have an add-on to google docs to aid studying – show highlighting tools.
Episode 23 – AppWriter from Wizkids
www.podbean.com/ei/pb-xjtj5-da41e3
It’s always good to have a new software that we can discuss. This subscription based software helps meet the needs of dyslexics . Of course useful for anyone as well who needs help overcoming spelling needs
Widigt Symbol Resources in Covid-19
Our good friends at Widgit are making a generous offer at this time of Covid-19. Please read and use the information below:-
Widgit Online Free access
To make sure symbol users have access to the systems and resources they need, we would like to offer free and unrestricted access to Widgit Online and its ready-made materials for 30 days.
You can create your free individual account here: www.widgitonline.com/offer. Use code WIDGIT30
If you already have an individual account subscription or trial you can use the same codes to unlock all of the ready-made materials available in Widgit Online worth over £180, more information and instructions can be found here: https://bit.ly/2QGH1f7
New Coronavirus Symbols
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, Widgit have developed a range of new symbols to help you create teaching resources and supports around the subject.
A list of all the new symbols can be found here: https://bit.ly/2WOLKiD
These symbols are now live and available to use in Widgit Online: https://widgitonline.com/. InPrint 3 users can download the latest update free from here to access the new symbols: https://bit.ly/2QObjwp
Boredom Busters
We also have a range of symbolised activities – called Boredom Busters which we have been releasing for children to utilise. These can be found at https://www.widgit.com/resources/popular-topics/index.htm
Dyslexia & Technology
With the BDA Thursday 23rd April at7:00pm about the latest developments in technology that can help dyslexic learners of all ages . Why not book your ticket now at :-
AccessAbility Solutions 