A variety of both high- and low-tech solutions for accessing a computer, printed material, and viewing a blackboard or other classroom materials are considered for each student. Solutions considered may include: low vision magnifiers or software, speech output, scanners, Braille printers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), educational apps and other related technology.

Assessments are conducted by Robert McGillivray, Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) and Eileen Curran, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Assistive Technology Specialist in Visual Impairment. Together, the team brings over 75 years of experience to the evaluation process. Assessments are conducted at the Carroll Center or at the school site. Solutions considered may include: low vision magnifiers or software, speech output, digital audio recorders, scanners, Braille printers, talking books, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other related technology.

About Bob McGillivray

As a CLVT, Bob focuses his time with the student on evaluating the effectiveness of low vision devices, techniques and technologies in supporting student needs, while also looking at the visual efficiency of the student while trying a variety devices. In the clinical setting at the Carroll Center, Bob is able to evaluate the student and demonstrate a multitude of devices and technologies he has on hand. When a student or family is interested in a specific device that is not regularly kept in the clinic, Bob is often able to borrow specific devices for trial during the assessment.

About Eileen Curran

As a TVI and technology specialist, Eileen views the student through a holistic lens, evaluating how the student currently accesses board work in the classroom, completes assignments, and finishes homework, while also considering student’s strengths and needs. Eileen’s focus includes finding a best match between technology that is already available to maximize student success with current equipment, as well as looking for the most appropriate devices and applications for each individual’s needs. Additionally, she considers mainstream devices that serve multiple uses for multiple users. As a TVI, Eileen also integrates the potential use of non-visual access to curriculum, which students often need to utilize in high school and upper education to keep pace with their peers.

To schedule an assessment please contact Maureen Foley for an application at (617) 969-6200.

Assistive Technology Office Hours is available to current college students who use JAWS, NVDA, Windows Narrator, Fusion, ZoomText, or Windows Magnifier on their Windows PC. Support is also available for students who use VoiceOver on the Mac. Assistance in the use of mobile devices will also be provided to iOS VoiceOver and/or Zoom users or Android TalkBack users. Support is available in the use of specific braille notetakers including the BrailleNote Apex, BrailleNote Touch, BrailleNote Touch Plus, and Braille Sense U2. Questions related to using braille displays including the Orbit Reader, Refreshabraille, and Brailliant devices with iOS devices can also be addressed.

College students are required to be savvy in the use of their assistive technology in combination with mainstream desktop and mobile applications, all while keeping up with their coursework. Today, many more students are engaged in remote learning and college course content is posted to online learning platforms. Students may encounter difficulties related to using their assistive technology to work on projects, complete coursework, and access content posted to online learning platforms.

While some colleges and universities may be able to provide limited ongoing assistive technology support to students who are blind or visually impaired, other schools do not have these internal resources. The purpose of the Assistive Technology Office Hours is to fill in this gap in available support to college students who are blind or visually impaired as they work toward earning their degree.

Assistive Technology Office Hours will be billed hourly, as needed. These support hours are not intended to replace typical assistive technology training. Rather, the Assistive Technology Office Hours are intended to provide students with ongoing supplemental support as needed and an opportunity to ask specific questions relative to using assistive technology to complete their coursework.

 

Topics Addressed

Students will be able to ask questions related to:

• Accessing content from online learning management platforms such as Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, or others. Utilizing features of these platforms such as discussion boards, mail, and assignment submission.
• General questions about navigating the Windows, Mac OS, iOS, or Android environments using a screen reader or screen magnification.
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Mac Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Mail.
• Google Drive, Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for accessing PDF files.
• Navigating specific webpages.
• Using book reading apps.

 

Communication

• Communication between Carroll Center trainers and students can be via phone or Zoom.
• Trainers may provide specific answers or resources, as appropriate.
• If questions are too broad, such as, “How do I use PowerPoint?” then trainers may recommend assistive technology training in that area instead of office hours support.
• Use of Assistive Technology Office Hours may include time to research topics.
• If course content, such as PDF files, are determined to be inaccessible, trainers will discuss workarounds where possible. Additionally, students will be encouraged to follow up with the university’s Disability Services, in these instances, so that students can request that inaccessible material be converted to a usable format.
• Technical support and installation/removal of most programs will not be addressed during these support hours.
• Office hours are generally available Monday-Friday.
• Purchase orders or credit cards will be charged monthly for time rendered.

For questions or to request office hours, please contact Tina Laffer, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach by phone at (617) 969-6200, extension 216 or by email at tina.laffer@carroll.org.

By completing this opportunity, students will gain valuable skills in web accessibility, generative AI, and productivity tools such as Microsoft and Google apps, which are highly sought after by employers in various industries. These skills will enable them to contribute to a more inclusive and accessible web and increase their competitiveness in the job market.

What You’ll Learn

• JAWS and NVDA settings for accessibility testing
• Hypertext markup language (html) element semantics
• Creative screen reader interaction techniques for navigating desktop websites
• Written and verbal accessibility testing reporting
• Gmail and Google Calendar communication and event management
• Leveraging Chat GPT to accelerate productivity and independent learning
• Incorporating WCAG into accessibility testing to derive meaningful insights

Prerequisites

• You type at least 30 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy
• You use JAWS or NVDA on a regular basis
• You have your own Windows laptop or desktop
• You use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox on a regular basis
• You use Microsoft Office or Google Workspace on a regular basis
• You produce written content with a high level of clarity
• You independently manage your own email communication

Program Information

• When: July 31-August 11, 2023
• Weekdays, 10:30-12:00 and 1:00-2:30 Eastern Time
• Who: Native screen reader users presently enrolled in college or high school
• Where: Remote using Zoom video conferencing

I’m Interested! What Do I Do Next?

If interested in TAB, please complete this Google form. Interviews will be conducted starting in June 2023. Funding may be obtained from your state VR agency. If you have questions, please email Nick.corbett@carroll.org.

If the above Google Form link does not work, please copy and paste the following URL into your web browser:

https://forms.gle/CSHKsMoaDWDvDSw88