Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

Avoid Screen Reader “Freak Out”

Modern screen readers are able to read dynamic, scripted content updates within a web page. However, if the content a screen reader is currently reading or focused on changes or is removed/hidden from the page, the screen reader “freaks out” due to this loss of focus, and typically reverts focus to the top of the page. This can be very problematic if a page has continually updating content areas (such as a page area for updating sports scores or stock quotes). This screen reader issue can generally be avoided by ensuring that page content updates are controlled by the user or that they do not update when the screen reader is within that area of the page. ARIA live regions provide a mechanism for avoiding screen reader “freak out”. When page elements disappear or are hidden, such as when a user closes a modal dialog window, focus must be set with JavaScript focus() to a logical element within the page.

Voice Finger is a speech recognition tool that enables the computer user to control the mouse and keyboard with just the voice. Voice Finger enables zero computer contact, so the user can confidently use only his/her the voice and rest his/her hands.
Voice Finger is a possible solution for people with disabilities and/or computer injuries, but it is also useful for gamers, since it can hit keys and buttons while the gamer moves and shoots.

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration in partnership with the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities announce a FREE Training Series: Supporting Adults with Autism.

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is excited to announce a new training series to assist in addressing some of the concerns raised by the Maryland Commission on Autism.  Through the Commission activities, people with  Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), families, and professionals from across the State noted that quality training for the adult provider system would enhance the services currently available in Maryland.  To address this need, the DDA has allocated funding for fiscal year 2013 to provide specialized training to increase the availability of quality services for people with ASD.

Please email MCDD@kennedykrieger.org with any questions, or call Aisha Mason at 443-923-9555.

AT in the news for the week of 10/8 – 10/12

Smart bra acts as an early warning system for breast cancer

Low tech assistive technology – December 7 in Indy and online

U.S. Department of Education : Announces New App to Identify U.S. Currency

Special Education Concerns Emerge With Online Learning

A motorized wheelchair made from LEGO

Student petitions for accessible theater buildings

A new Apple app features actress Marlee Matlin teaching users to sign.

Buzz Aldrin bids to help people with disabilities to fly

Manatee stand allows you to use your iPad comfortably in bed

Girl Scout aims to enhance books for visually impaired

ASETNIOP concept designed to make touch typing on a touchscreen a might easier

Success, Social Value, and Personal Mission (Part One)

Insurers offer new programs to help disabled return to work

Technology gives disabled woman a voice

Tokyo University Adapting Videogame Technology to Help Physically Disabled Computer Users

The Accessible Technology Coalition is offering a variety of accessible technology webinars for the month of October. Sign up for a free membership to join these and many other webinars! And be sure to check out their podcasts as well!

October Schedule

Transitioning from High School using Assistive Technology (Lanterman Regional Center)
October 11, 2012 at 12 PM Pacific, 3 PM Eastern

iPad Apps for Scheduling (AT Coalition)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 3 PM Pacific, 6 PM Eastern
We’ll look at several apps that help people stay on task, keep schedules, and perform multi-step tasks, including timers, task modelers, and schedulers. This is also an opportunity to share, so bring any recommendations you have for apps like these.

The iPad in Special Education: App overload!!! (AbleNet)
October 23, 2012 at 9 AM Pacific, Noon Eastern

Using Promethean Boards to include Students with Special Needs (AbleNet)
October 25, 2012,  at 4 PM Pacific, 7 PM Eastern

Making a Measurable Difference with Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM Center)
October 30, 2012 at 11 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern

CAPTCHA

CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. A CAPTCHA is typically presented as a graphic with distorted letters or numbers that a user must decipher and enter into a text field. Although CAPTCHA attempts to ensure a response that is generated by a person, nearly all modern CAPTCHAs can be readily solved by computer programs. Graphical CAPTCHAs cannot be made screen reader accessible. By their nature, CAPTCHA introduces usability, accessibility, and cognition issues for end users, and therefore should be avoided when possible. When necessary, audio CAPTCHA (distorted audio is played instead) should be provided in addition to a graphical CAPTCHA.