Hotmail and Jaws Talking Software

Learn all the tricks in how to use Hotmail with JAWS talking software...you can use the same type of commands for any talking software too
Use Skydrive for enormous file uploads and learn how to open Skydrive files from othesr --the learning goes on with:
Getting into Hotmail with Windows 7
Getting into Hotmail with XP or Other OS (operating system)
Setup Your Email To Work Great Each Time You Open It--learn all the different options to make this email work well
Reading the Inbox or messages:
Reading Email content
Composing a message:
Attaching a File-SKYDRIVE
Opening and listening to attached SKYDRIVE file
Delete Old Messages
Reading just the unread messages
Moving messages or emails
Making a Folder
Finding the Folder-Moving Emails
Marking Emails
Searching your Emails:
Searching your contacts--Messenger:
Hotmail shortcuts-When you are ready to go really fast, here are shortcuts

Download your lesson at: http://www.yourtechvision.com/products/hotmail-and-jaws-talking-software

Twitter for the Blind-Easy Chirp

Twitter, like Facebook, is dynamic and constantly changing. m.facebook.com solves that problem for talking software and Easy Chirp solves the twitter problem. Easy Chirp (just click on that link) will guide you through the process of twitting as much as you would like, with easier access to other tweets.
Try it out and see how it works for you.

How to NOT help a Child---is the best help of all

19 Ways to Step Back--Adapted from Classroom Collaboration, by Laurel J. Hudson, Ph.D. (Perkins School for the Blind)

It often feels right to give help to students with visual impairments, but this may not be in their best interest.  Use this list to help yourself to step back.

1. You’re stepping back so your students can step forward and become independent.  Keep this in mind.                                                        

2. Clock how long it actually takes for students to start zippers, pick up dropped papers, or find page numbers.  What’s a few more seconds in the grander scheme?                                                                                           

3. Sit on your hands for a whole task while you practice giving verbal instead of touch cues.  Hands off the hands!
4. If you need touch cues, try hand-under-hand instead of hand-over-hand.  This gives students much more choice.
5. Let your students make mistakes and get into trouble.  It’s part of the human experience!     

6. Acknowledge your own needs.  There’s a reason you chose the helping profession.
7. Sit further away.  If you’ve been within arm’s reach, sit just within earshot.  If you’ve been sitting just within earshot, sit across the room.

                                                 

8. Pat yourself on the back every time you help with seeing, not thinking.  Your job is to give information.
9. Even though helping can feel right, be aware that too much assistance is short-sighted.  Sometimes less is more, less is better.
10. Catch yourself before you correct your students’ work.  Don’t cover for them.  This is about their skills… not yours.
11. Commit to no intervention for a whole activity.  Take data instead.  Things might not fall apart as much as you had expected.
12. “What page are we on?” “What’s for lunch?” Have students ask their classmates instead of you, both during school and on the telephone.

13. Assign student learning partners and sighted guides.
14. Teach students to decline assistance, “Thanks, but please let me try it by myself.”
15. Whenever you add prompts, include a plan to phase them out.
16. Let the boss know that you need to step back so that your students can be more independent.  You’re not shirking your responsibilities.
17. Collaborate with other adults to break your habits of helping too much.  Agree to remind each other to step back.
18. Try helping only when classroom teachers give you a signal.  They may prefer to respond directly or to give students longer to work it out alone.

19. Post a sign, “Are there any other ways I could step back?”

Copyright laws regarding blind transcription

The Chaffee Amendment in 1996 addressed the concerns of accessibility.  Below is an excerpt from http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/copyright.html.


(a) IN GENERAL--Chapter 1 of title 17, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 120 the following new section:
"SEC.121. Limitations on exclusive rights: reproduction for blind or other people with disabilities
"(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 710, it is not an infringement of copyright for an authorized entity to reproduce or to distribute copies or phonorecords of a previously published, nondramatic literary work if such copies or phonorecords are reproduced or distributed in specialized formats exclusively for use by blind or other persons with disabilities.
"(b)
(1) Copies or phonorecords to which this section applies shall--
"(A) not be reproduced or distributed in a format other than a specialized format exclusively for use by blind or other persons with disabilities;
"(B) bear a notice that any further reproduction or distribution in a format other than a specialized format is an infringement; and
"(C) include a copyright notice identifying the copyright owner and the date of the original publication.
"(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to standardized, secure, or norm-referenced tests and related testing material, or to computer programs, except the portions thereof that are in conventional human language (including descriptions of pictorial works) and displayed to users in the ordinary course of using the computer programs.
" (c) For purposes of this section, the term--
"(1) 'authorized entity' means a nonprofit organization or a governmental agency that has a primary mission to provide specialized services relating to training, education, or adaptive reading or information access needs of blind or other persons with disabilities;
"(2) 'blind or other persons with disabilities' means individuals who are eligible or who may qualify in accordance with the Act entitled 'An Act to provide books for the adult blind', approved March 3, 1931 (2 U.S.C. 35a; 46 Stat. 1487) to receive books and other publications produced in specialized formats; and
"(3) 'specialized formats' means braille, audio, or digital text which is exclusively for use by blind or other persons with disabilities.".
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT--The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 17, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to section 120 the following:
"121. Limitations on exclusive rights: reproduction for blind or other people with disabilities.".

NVDA screen reader keyboard overlays

If you are just starting out using NVDA-the free talking screen reader from Australia and are a visual teacher, this overlay image will help you get your students going and learning the talking software.

Just go to AccessIQ at: http://www.accessiq.org/content/nvda-screen-reader-keyboard-overlays and see the possibilities

Sensational Blackboard for all tactile pictures, graphs and more

Sensational BlackBoard offers a fun, fast, easy and inexpensive way to get tactile access to images. Draw your own raised line pictures or you can have photo copy images of text book or research materials quickly traced.
Features:

• Light weight at just 7 ounces.
• Flexible enough to not break in your backpack but rigid enough to draw on your lap.
• Smooth surface holds the paper in place. No clamps makes it easy to tuck into a briefcase or binder 11 1/2” x 9”.
• Inexpensive since it is designed to be used with a regular ball point pen and standard copy paper.

Go to: http://sensationalbooks.com/ to see a video on this great tool

Serotek System Access-talking software

If you are looking for a free talking software application, System Access may be your ticket to go. Here is the site to give you the instructions on how to use this tool. http://samobile.net/help/sa/

The National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA

The National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA) is live online and ready for  teachers in the field to use! This research-based, standardized assessment  tool determines whether each child who is assessed should be taught  Braille, print, or both. Thorough yet time-efficient, teachers can
 complete, save, and print assessments using this secure site. To begin an  assessment or for more information, please visit  www.NFBNRMA.orghttp://www.nfbnrma.org/.  Contact us with your questions and comments on the feedback page at  www.NFBNRMA.org http://www.nfbnrma.org/, or by calling (410) 659-9314,
 extension 2529.

For more information, contact:
 Dr. Jessica Ewell, Project Coordinator
 Department of Education
 the Jernigan Institute
 National Federation of the Blind
 Tel: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2529
 E-mail: jvewell@nfb.org

Take a Screen shot with iPad

For the low vision user who is connected to the teacher's computer with their iPad--see lesson on airdisplay or any other device that will extend the teacher's screen, the student can now take a screen shot of say a math problem and freeze it on their iPad so they can complete the problem.

The student will hold in the iPad's power button and press the Home button, to take a screen shot. That imagine is a picture and is stored on the iPad with the other pictures. The teacher (or student) can then open that picture  from their camera: type on the top right hand corner and open in any "art" type app, such as SAS Gloss (free app) and then write directly on the imagine. So, if the teacher is doing a math problem, the student can snap a screen shot, open that picture in SAS Gloss and draw/type the answer, notes, etc. These images can be saved, emailed, etc. Fantastic way to have more options

iPad iPhone curriculum

This curriculum was adapted for k-12 or any blind user, from the Hines VA Hospital. This curriculum will take you through  all the basic functions of the ipad and iphone for visually impaired and blind

Go to lessons: iPad iPhone curriculum

Zoomtext Lessons

Here is a selection of Zoomtext lessons that can be downloaded free at To download free lessons, go to http://www.yourtechvision.com/products/zoomtext-lessons

ZoomText Magnifier enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, making all of your applications easy to see and use. For more information, go to http://www.aisquared.com/zoomtext/

Low Cost Internet Access for Students at Home

Cable provider makes the Internet affordable for students<http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dWepCeiWgsCevbAyCidaznCicNfNKG?format=standard>
Comcast's Internet Essentials program seeks to provide low-income students and their families with affordable Internet access at home. 

Enrollment in the program is based on several stipulations, including eligibility for the free or reduced-price meal program at school. Those who qualify can receive Internet access for $9.95 a month. The Register-Mail (Galesburg, Ill.)<http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dWepCeiWgsCevbAyCidaznCicNfNKG?format=standard> (10/7)

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

How to run FLASH on your ipad, iphone--iOS device

All you with those great itools already know you are going to have issues if you try and run FLASH on your iOS device. It is not just the video part, but audio feedback too.

There are many ways to run flash, but I prefer Photon -- a great APP---so if you are looking for an easy way resolve the  FLASH issue...Photon will do it for you

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

This test contains all the braille contractions your student should know. Test and get a quick idea of where your student's speed is at in addition to the contractions she knows. Great baseline to begin instruction. Download your copy:

Informal Braille Competency Test

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

What do you need to teach in order to get a job for Anyone using a computer and talking software

The debate is huge....arguements abound when people get together to discuss ---what technology  should be taught to a blind child--especially when it comes to talking software and computer OS---well, here is the data on this subject. WebAIM took past data and compared it to today's and here is what you need to learn if you are going to compete in today's job market. Natural trends will show you where the market is going

So if you are a teacher of the blind/visually impaired or rehabilitation teacher for the blind---you need to be highly proficient in these skills to teach your students and universities need to teach these skills to their up-coming teachers.

Screen Reader User Survey #4 Results

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

Come and Learn in Annapolis, MD--Nov 9

For all those in the Annapolis, MD area, there is a NFB State convention on Nov 9 where I will be presenting on all the different types of technology for your students as well as giving a hands on workshop for the ipad and another workshop that is still to be announced.

Come learn and enjoy. Contact  Trudy Pickrel tlpickrel@hotmail.com  if you have any questions.

Accessibility--Hotkeys for Windows 8-- a preview

Many questions are milling around the cooler right now on accessibility for Windows 8
Here is just a small picture of things to come with this new operating system
Windows 8 keyboard hotkeys and shortcuts
With everyone today talking about Windows 8, I have noticed that one of the main questions that people are sharing in blogs and social networks is “Why Microsoft removed the start button in Windows 8? ”.
The answer to this question is that more users are relying on the Windows taskbar for pinning and accessing their favorite software instead of going through the Start menu. With Windows 8 you just need to press the Windows key or click the thumbnail in the lower right hot corner to launch the Metro Start screen where the Windows 8 interface plays the role of your own customized task bar.
Microsoft knows that the users will still demand easy access to the main tasks. This is why Windows 8 gives you this option by pressing “Windows key+X”. This allows you accessing tasks such as Run, Search, control Panel and all other main tasks that you might need to run once in a while.
All Windows 7 hotkeys shortcuts are still supported on Windows 8 and more “cool” hotkeys are added for Windows 8 that allows you to access your important functions with just 2 keyboard clicks.
Here is a list of the main hotkeys for Windows 8.
Key combination Windows 8 functionality
Windows-Space Switch input language and keyboard layout.
Windows-O Lock device orientation.
Windows-, Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows-V Cycle through toasts.
Windows-Shift-V Cycle through toasts in reverse order.
Windows-Enter Launch Narrator.
Windows-PgUp Move the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the left.
Windows-PgDown Move the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the right.
Windows-Shift-. Move the gutter to the left (snap an application).
Windows-. Move the gutter to the right (snap an application).
Windows-C Open the Charms bar.
Windows-I Open the Settings charm.
Windows-K Open the Connect charm.
Windows-H Open the Share charm.
Windows-Q Open the Search pane.
Windows-W Open the Settings Search app.
Windows-F Open the File Search app.
Windows-Tab Cycle through apps.
Windows-Shift-Tab Cycle through apps in reverse order.
Windows-Ctrl-Tab Cycle through apps and snap them as they cycle.
Windows-Z Open the App Bar.
Windows-/ Initiate input method editor (IME) reconversion.
Windows-J Swap foreground between the snapped and filled apps.

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

How to clean your iPad, iPhone, Ipod Touch

The proper way to clean itools is just with a soft cloth---do not use cleaners
Watch this simple video on how to clean an itool product: How to clean your iPad, iPhone, Ipod Touch

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

Are you Color Blind--take this test

I you are color blind, it will affect the way you learn....take this simple test and find out: http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com 

Demonstration of how to use Skype with Jaws scripts to communicate with students

Constant access can happen with a teacher when students learn how to use Skype with Jaws scripts. The scripts will allow the blind person to go anywhere and do anything in Skype. When sitting in class they can contact the teacher for help....no matter where the teacher is at in the world.

Watch Youtube video: Demonstration of how to use Skype with Jaws scripts to communicate with students

For Lesson, go to : Skype texting and making a Video Call—with additional JAWS scripts

Find even more helpful information at www.yourtechvision.com