The information is for students with disabilities. The contents include software recommendations, JAWs instruction, Blackboard tips and disability resources.
Recommended Applications
Zoomtext (Magnifier) and Read & Write Gold (Screen reader)
The EKU learning community has access to two, specialized pieces of assistive technology; Zoomtext (for the visually impaired), and Read&Write Gold (for LD, ADHD and other cognitive impaired individuals) in the Richmond campus student computer labs in the SSB and the Library Lab ( behind Java City). All individuals are welcome to learn how to use this special software. If interested in a demo, call the Disabilities Office to set up an appointment with a technology specialist.
Accessibility of various software programs
http://www.accesswatch.info/review.php
Where to find the new commands in Office 2007
http://blog.kellyford.org/archives/2007/01/finding_the_ele.html
Online Search Engine
‘Google Accessible Web Search for the Visually Impaired’ returns a list of websites with priority given to the most accessible.
http://labs.google.com/accessible/
Bloglines
Best online blogger and blog aggregator for users with low vision or blind users.
http://www.bloglines.com
Juice podcast aggregator for .mp3 and similar audio files
Best podcast aggregator for users with low vision or blind users.
http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/download/index.php
Adobe Reader for PDFs
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Flash and Shockwave
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/
Microsoft Readers for PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/HA010449811033.aspx
Quicktime for .mov files
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/player/win.html
Real Player for audio and video
http://forms.real.com/netzip/arcade.html?h=software-dl.real.com&r=1270ee498a1c9061bc05&f=windows/mrkt/RN31TRD/RealPlayer10-5GOLD_rs.exe
Windows Media Player for audio or video
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx
Adobe Acrobat 8
OCR
Use the Optical Character Recognition command to change a scanned document (image) into actual text.
Document > OCR Text Recognition > Recognize text using OCR
Shortcut = Alt + DCR
Loupe
Magnifies one small portion of the page.
Tools > Select & Zoom > Loupe Tool
Shortcut = Alt + T Z L
Zoom
Magnifies the page view in the browser window.
View > Zoom > Zoom to
Shortcut = Alt + V Z, Enter, arrow keys to choose magnification
Read Out Loud
Read a document out loud if the document has true text, or can be changed to a document with text using OCR
View > Read Out Loud
Shortcut = Shift + Control + V
MS Operating System Tips
Toggle to high contrast theme in Windows with left alt + left shift + print screen, enter, or alt-s for settings, alt-s, alt-y, and arrow down for contrast scheme selections.
Users can also start Accessibility programs before logging on to the computer on by pressing the Windows logo key+ U at the logon screen.
Once logged in, the Windows logo key will open the Start Menu. Use arrow keys and the tab key to navigate through the options.
Windows includes the following programs to enhance accessibility:
Magnifier enlarges a portion of the screen for easier viewing.
Narrator uses text-to-speech technology to read the contents of the screen aloud. This is useful for people who are blind or are vision impaired.
On-Screen Keyboard provides users with limited mobility the ability to type on-screen using a pointing device.
All of these tools can be activated by using the Utility Manager. (Windows logo key + U). Utility Manager enables users to check an Accessibility program's status and start or stop an Accessibility program. Users with administrator-level access can designate to have the program start when Utility Manager starts.
Suggestions for Deaf or hard-of-hearing users
Turn on ShowSounds or SoundSentry for visual information in place of audio.
Start > Control Panel > Accessibility Options, Sound tab
Suggestions for blind or low vision users
Turn on high contrast. (left alt + left shift + print screen, enter)
Turn on Togglekeys, which are sounds for caps, num, or scroll locks. (Press the NUM lock for five seconds)
Change the screen resolution
Increase the size of objects and text on your screen.
Use the Magnifier to zoom into any portion of your interface. (control key + esc, press R, type magnify, and then enter)
Use the Narrator to read window screens. (control key + esc, press R, type narrator, and then enter)
Suggestions for mobility impaired users
MouseKeys - for people who have difficulty using a mouse. MouseKeys allows you to use the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer.
Press left alt + left shift + NUM Lock
Serial Keys - for people who have difficulty using the computer's standard keyboard or mouse. Serial Keys provides support so that alternative input devices, such as single switch or puff and sip devices, can be plugged into the computer's serial port.
Start > Control Panel > Accessibility Options, General tab
FilterKeys - a keyboard feature that instructs the keyboard to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. Using FilterKeys, you can also slow the rate at which a key repeats when you hold it down.
Start > Control Panel > Accessibility Options, Keyboard tab
Shortcut = Hold down right shift key for eight seconds to turn on.
StickyKeys - designed for people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys simultaneously. When a shortcut requires a key combination, such as CTRL+P, StickyKeys will enable you to press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key, and have it remain active until another key is pressed.
Start > Control Panel > Accessibility Options, Keyboard tab
Shortcut = Turn on by pressing the shift key five times.