Accessible Test

Verbal View of Word Advanced

(Continued)
Purpose

To provide a tutorial that explains advanced topics with Microsoft Word in a format most useful to blind and visually impaired computer users.

Project Staff

Larry Skutchan, Project Leader

Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author

Keith Creasy, Programmer

John Hedges, Programmer

Rodger Smith, Programmer

Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist

Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager

Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background

Verbal View of Word Advanced is a comprehensive tutorial designed to teach the blind or visually impaired user how to use the advanced features of Microsoft Word. It follows Verbal View of Windows XP and Verbal View of Word in a series of tutorials available from American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.

This book is written for the blind Word user who wishes to write specialized documents: term papers, business letters, and even books. Some topics are discussed at length, although omitted from most books, because they greatly benefit the blind writer. The use of the keyboard is emphasized and summarized throughout this book. The keyboard and the mouse are compared whenever appropriate so the strengths and weaknesses of both are apparent.
The tutorial assumes the reader already possesses a basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows, has Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, 2003, or later installed on the computer, and has already learned the basics of Word from the Verbal View of Word tutorial. If the reader is not already familiar with Windows operation and common usage, he may wish to consult Verbal View of Windows XP also available from APH.
Delivered on CD, this tutorial comes in DAISY 3.0 format with its own presentation software. The CD also contains Microsoft Word, .html, contracted braille, and text versions of the document, so the user may send it to a portable device like the Book Port or other note taker with a refreshable braille display.
The software that comes with Verbal View of Word Advanced is a special version of a DAISY reading program called Book Wizard Reader.
Work completed in FY 2009

No work was performed on this project during FY 2008.

Work planned for FY 2010

Future enhancements will be made as new versions of Word are released.

Multiple Disabilities

Digital Light Box Artwork: Supporting Language and Literacy

(Completed)

Purpose

To provide the existing artwork from the APH Light Box Materials in a digital format that can be used in a Windows or Mac platform to design cause and effect, choice making, early symbol use, and language development and early literacy activities for multiply disabled children who use touch screens and switches when learning on a computer.

Project Staff

Tristan Pierce, Multiple Disabilities Project Leader

Wendy Buckley, Consultant and Author

Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialists

Erick Rucker, Research Assistant

Ann Travis, Research Assistant

Monica Vaught-Compton, Research Assistant

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager

Background

While attending a technology workshop sponsored by the Indiana Deafblind Services Project, a request was made that APH make the Light Box artwork available for the computer so that students can make a smooth transition from light box activities to new computer activities. Teachers do not have time to find artwork and scan it into the computer, plus they want the commonality of the artwork to help students with multiple disabilities make the transition. The product will help provide students with activities utilizing slides, transitions, graphics, and action buttons. An online survey was conducted to help APH determine which of the existing Light Box Materials artwork needed modernization.

Work during FY 2009

All documentation and specifications were completed. Book was printed and embossed. It is available for sale.

Child-Guided Strategies:

The van Dijk Approach to Assessment

(Continued)
Purpose

To provide a training manual that documents the validity and reliability of the van Dijk approach to assessment.

Project Staff

Catherine Nelson, Consultant and Author

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Sandi Baker, Consultant

Monica Vaught-Compton, Research Assistant

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager

Background

APH currently sells the CD entitled, Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children who are Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment. This training manual will be packaged with a new CD to provide a comprehensive tool to professionals working with learners (birth-21) who have congenital deafblindness or multisensory impairments. The new CD will have excerpts from the original CD and new video footage; it will feature a baby, a child, and a teenager. The focus of the assessment tool is to gather information for program planning and educational intervention for learners in educational settings.

Work during FY 2009

Prototypes were printed and the product was field tested.

Work planned for FY 2010

Field test recommendations will be completed. The product will be available for sale.

Multiple Disabilities Projects and Needs

(Continued)
Purpose

To assess needs, plan research, and manage product development to better serve individuals who are visually impaired and have additional disabilities.

Project Staff

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Background

A Multiple Disabilities Focus Group met at APH in March 2001. The group identified a total of 48 product ideas and held detailed discussions on the revision of APH’s Sensory Stimulation Kit (SSK), the development of a tactile (communication) symbol system, and the value of adaptable calendar boxes. The 48 product ideas were developed into a needs survey that was distributed nationally and received international participation. The results of the survey were presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting and are still available on the APH Web site: http://www.aph.org/edresearch/md_results.html

Since that time, the Multiple Disabilities Project Leader continues to work on products recommended by the survey, and on existing APH products that need to be updated to meet current APH and educational standards.
Work during FY 2008

The Digital Light Box Artwork guidebook became available for sale. Child-Guided Strategies: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment, Sound Adapted Tangle Ball, and SAM: Symbols and Meaning were field tested. Work began on the revision of the Program to Develop Efficiency in Visual Functioning. Work continues on the O&M Manual for Wheelchair Users. The Project Leader co-presented an input session and presented an informational poster during Annual Meeting. The Project Leader conducted workshops on the Sensory Learning Kit and physical education products at the New York Institute for Special Education. Multiple presentations were held for guests and teachers at APH. The Project Leader worked the exhibit booth at the National Federation of the Blind convention.

Work planned for FY 2009

The Project Leader will continue to research, identify, and develop needed products; conduct presentations to the field; and address questions referred from customer service.