Maryland Department of Disabilities
Nov 5th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog
Auto-playing Audio
Audio, such as background music, that automatically plays when a user comes to a web page can be very distracting and will interfere with screen reader audio. WCAG 2.0 Level A requires that “a mechanism is provided to stop, pause, mute, or adjust volume for audio that automatically plays on a page for more than 3 seconds”. It is usually better to not automatically play audio, but allow the user to manually play the audio if they choose.
Contributed by Lori Markland, Director of Communications, Outreach and Development, MDTAP
Right around this time of year, parents and teachers across the country meet for the first time as they begin to map out their students’ academic paths during parent-teacher conferences. This year, in my house, these meetings were met with mixed emotions. While my older child is excelling in her third grade classes, it was immediately made clear that my kindergartener is not. With struggles that include inability to consistently identify letters and numbers, to anxiety and forgetfulness, I left that meeting ready to do what many parents do – practice, practice, practice with her at home. And research online late at night.
And although we don’t know yet whether she has an identifiable learning disability, it is clear my child is struggling. And I need to help her. And help other parents who are walking a similar path. In my efforts to do so, I found Understood, a website dedicated to providing resources for children with learning and attention issues. It includes a plethora of information including school and learning resources, parent coaching based on the child’s individual needs, Twitter chats with experts on a variety of topics, simulation videos to give parents a sense of what their child might be experiencing, assistive technology recommendations, a parent and expert community to live chat, and WAY more.
As a nice aside, the site also includes a Spanish option and text-to-speech built in for anyone who may need it.
Oct 31st, 2014 by MDTAP Blog
Bet you were scared when you thought we weren’t going to get this week’s AT Update out on time. Enjoy this treat and any others you get today! AT in the news for the week of 10/27 thru 10/31.
Course Focuses On Interior Design For Those On The Spectrum
Computer game could help visually-impaired children live independently
Phone App Checks Photos For Eye Disease
‘Ask AbleGamers’ YouTube Series Launches
The Most Helpful iOS 8 Features for the Visually Impaired and Hard of Hearing
When Hearing Aid Users Listen to Music, Less Is More
Google X Developing Wearable Technology That Detects Cancer
Students to Design an Autism-Friendly Kitchen
The new bionics that let us run, climb and dance
Make Apps and Sites Accessible to All by Knowbility
Carilion Clinic makes managing healthcare online easier for people with disabilities
UT Arlington School of Social Work receives grant to develop human assistive robot learning network
2 preliminary but promising stem cell treatments for dry AMD have been released to the public
Photographed memories come to life for the blind thanks to a 3D printer
Check out AbleGamers Laboratory Starts Monthly Open House for Disabled Players
From Brain To Computer: Helping ‘Locked-In’ Patient Get His Thoughts Out
Corneal Implants Might Make Reading Glasses Obsolete
Oct 30th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog
Contributed by Provi Sharpe, Director of Emergency Management and Reuse Activities, MDTAP
Home Safety for Families with Children who have a Disability
The Disaster Resistant Communities Group, located in Tallahassee, Florida, provides disaster planning and preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation services to local government agencies and departments as well as community and faith based organizations. Their services include Just In Time Disaster Training videos. This is an on-line video library which provides a single, easy to search source in which individuals, agencies and organizations can access training videos on various topics including home safety and disaster preparedness.
Their video series Just In Time Disaster Training – Home Safety for Families with Children Who Have a Disability, offer:
Numerous videos can also be found on YouTube – just search for videos on safety tips for families with children with special needs.
Oct 29th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog
WCAG 2.0 and Transcripts
The word “transcript” doesn’t appear in WCAG 2.0 because it is strictly interpreted as being only the verbatim text version of that which is spoken. For optimal web accessibility for users with auditory disabilities, information in addition to the spoken content (such as indications of laughter or explosions, or the presentation of visual-only content) are necessary. WCAG uses the term “alternative for time-based media” to describe this descriptive transcript. WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.2.3 (Level A) requires synchronized captions and either audio descriptions or an “alternative for time-based media” (i.e., descriptive transcript).
Oct 28th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog
If there could be rock stars of the assistive technology world, TV amplification systems would definitely be among the hall of famers. Though they are called by many names, TV Ears perhaps being the most popular, people are always looking for ways to better hear the TV without disturbing their kids or wives (or husbands), or neighbors. And now, if you have a smart phone, you can try out a free app called TV Louder, an amplification app that allows you to rely on the smartphone mic and a pair of headphones or earbuds to better hear the TV without waking up your significant other. Working as a personal sound amplifier, the TV should be set to a reasonable (not too loud) volume. And always check the volume level in the app – you want to be able to adjust it as needed.
Check it out, and let us know what you think!
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