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Equipment Link Listserv, 12/1/2011

Dec 1st, 2011 by

MDTAP organizes a statewide equipment exchange listserv!  


MDTAP is happy to announce the launch of a statewide equipment exchange listserv, the Maryland Equipment Link, a place where individuals, organizations, and agencies can easily share information on new devices in their inventory, cross-search to identify equipment even if they don’t have it in their inventory, and share new ideas and resources. This platform will bring together loan closets and equipment exchange organizations for faster and easier equipment exchanges for any Marylander who needs equipment!

Join this group!

Posted in MD Technology Assistance Program | No Comments »

Adobe and Accessibility 11/30/11

Nov 30th, 2011 by

In the late 1990’s, Adobe (http://www.adobe.com) introduced the PDF, or Portable Document Format.  PDF documents are particularly useful for preserving layout and font information regardless of software and hardware platforms.  Additionally, many authors enjoy having control over tighter document security, which has made PDF and variants of the PDF popular for E-Book publishing and online forms.

In the early days of PDF authoring, there were no facilities available for making these documents accessible.  There are still numerous legacy documents which are simply bitmap images of documents viewable in the Adobe Reader or some similar application.  The only means of achieving accessibility for these documents is with optical character recognition (OCR) software.
This is not considered a true form of accessibility, but it can make some content usable when modern accessibility conventions are not honored.

In recent years, most publishing platforms, such as Adobe InDesign or MS Word can generate accessible PDF documents.  These documents will be most accessible if document structure and formatting tools are used. For example, use of headings, rather than simply using a larger or bold font, or creating columns using the “column” option in your software package of  choice rather than using tab settings or spaces.

Adobe Acrobat also now features an Accessibility checker.  This is a good means of identifying common fixes which may help to improve accessibility. PDF tags can also be manipulated with Adobe acrobat.  These tags have no effect on the visual appearance of a PDF document. They simply provide contextual information which helps accessibility software and automated tools such as search engines to properly identify parts of documents.

Many accessibility experts  still suggest providing alternative documents such as HTML when possible.  As PDF viewers often require a plug-in or other PDF viewing software of some form, accessibility can be cumbersome.  The Portable Document Format is alive and well on the Web and will be with us for the foreseeable future. Tutorials and videos on using the accessibility features
of all of their products can be found on the Adobe Website.

Posted in MD Technology Assistance Program | No Comments »

Equipment Connections

Nov 28th, 2011 by

Equipment Connections for Children, Inc. is a Maryland-based equipment exchange program that links children to much needed adaptive equipment. Serving children in Maryland, Virginia and D.C., Equipment Connections makes it possible for families to access equipment at no cost.

For more information on this program, visit Equipment Connections for Children, Inc.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT Funding, AT News, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Communication Aids, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Aids, Learning Aids, Maryland, Mobility Aids, Mystery Monday | No Comments »

Newsline

Nov 28th, 2011 by

Written by Joel Zimba, MDTAP’s Special Projects Coordinator

NFB Newsline (http://www.nfbnewsline.org) is a service available to anyone who is unable to read regular news print.  Over 300 newspapers and a variety of magazines are also available.  A standard touch tone telephone is all you need in order to call a local or toll free number and begin using NFB Newsline.

After entering an identification code and password, provided upon completing the application process, a user is provided with a
choice of ten options.  If you are using NFB Newsline for the first time, choosing option #1 will begin the interactive tutorial.  The hierarchical menu system is easily navigable and moving between publications and sections of the NFB Newsline system is quick and easy.

Within a minute of first logging on to the system, I was reading the most recent issue of Rolling Stone. Then I switched to the local channel to check the morning news, which in my case was for  Baltimore. I am accustomed to a much faster reading speed, so I went to the settings menu via option #0. There I was able to switch speech engines as well as change the speed and volume.

Recently, NfB Newsline has expanded their offerings of international newspapers as well. And Job listings, provided through careerbuilder.com, can be accessed by choosing option #9.  If you would prefer to download content rather than listening to it through your telephone, NFB Newsline is also accessible on the web at:

http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org.  Publications can be downloaded or E-mailed to you for later listening.

In order to begin using NFB Newsline fill out the NFB Newsline Application(https://www.nfbnewsline.net/Nl2/NL2NewUserReqInput.jsp), or call(410) 659-9314.  If you are a member of your state’s library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, then you are also eligible for NfB Newsline.  You may qualify through other organizations as well.

NFB Newsline is a free service provided by the National Federation of the Blind   (http://www.nfb.org).

National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, (410) 659-9314

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Learning Aids, Tech Tip Tuesday | No Comments »

US Variety

Nov 21st, 2011 by

Access to durable medical equipment, recreational devices, and general assistive technology can often be an expensive and lengthy process. But one organization, Variety, is making it much easier for families of children 21 and under who need or want equipment to support daily living, play, and school.

Variety’s Kids on the Go program exists to help children with physical challenges fund equipment such as adaptive car seats, specially equipped bicycles, van lifts, strollers and much more. Some states offer local chapters that families can apply to directly while families in other states can apply directly to U.S. Variety. Visit their website, http://www.usvariety.org/, to learn more, download an application, or provide support to an organization making the lives of children with disabilities happier and more successful!

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT Funding, Equipment Re-use, Tech Tip Tuesday | 2 Comments »

V-Linc

Nov 21st, 2011 by

Need a piece of assitsive technology that doesn’t exist? Can’t find just the thing you need? Look no further than V-Linc, an organization that creates technological solutions to improve the independence and quality of life for individuals of all ages with disabilities in Maryland. By partnering with engineers, V-Linc takes a mix of off-the-shelf computer software and equipment and creates one-of-a-kind, customized assistive technology. Additionally they help clients of all ages determine the best computer solutions for their needs including software, hardware, and strategies.

Contact V-Linc if you’d like to learn more about their services, past projects, and more!

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT Funding, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Deaf/Hard of Hearing Aids, Learning Aids, Maryland, Mobility Aids, Mystery Monday | 11 Comments »

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