AccessSTEM

When requested, why is it important that I provide a reading list to the disability services office prior to the start of a term?

Students with certain types of visual impairments and/or learning disabilities have difficulty accessing printed content. Students may request textbooks and other printed materials in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, electronic text, and/or audio recordings. Both procurement and in-house creation of these alternate formats are time-consuming. For example, even when publishers provide electronic formats of books, it may take several weeks for a student to obtain the materials.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008?

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 strives to improve the legal definition of "disability" and strengthen the focus of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on preventing discrimination.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) maintains Accommodation and Compliance Series: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 to share implications of the legislation and updates from the courts and the government.

Tools and Techniques for Accessible Web Content: A Promising Practice in Webcast Training

Dr. Jon Gunderson, Director of IT Accessibility Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Campaign, provided a web accessibility training event to postsecondary staff and faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The Tools and Techniques for Accessible Web Content event shared best practices and reviewed accessibility management and visualization tools used to improve the design and verification of the functional accessibility of web resources. After the event Dr.

Southern Connecticut State University: A Promising Practice on Exposing Students with Disabilities to Computer Science Careers

In an effort to recruit more students into computer science majors, Southern Connecticut State University's (SCSU) Disability Resource Center hosted a three-part workshop designed to spark an interest and encourage local high school students with disabilities to pursue computer science majors at SCSU.

Missouri Southern State University: A Promising Practice in Developing a Successful Community of Practice (CoP)

The term "Community of Practice" (CoP) is used to describe a group of practitioners who share common concerns and interact regularly to improve their services and other practices. Members of a CoP identify problems in their field, propose changes, plan activities, share resources, and discuss topics of mutual interest.

How do I navigate around Microsoft Windows using only a keyboard?

Many keyboards have a Windows key which will bring up the start menu. The keyboard combination Ctrl+Esc also brings up this menu. The up and down arrow keys allow you to move through the menu items. Those items with a submenu are visually indicated with a small black triangle/arrowhead. These submenus may also branch out further into other submenus. The Esc key allows you to go back one step in the navigation process. Once you have arrived at the desired item, pressing the Enter key acts in the same way as a left-mouse click to make a choice.

How can I easily open my most often used programs in Windows?

Any of the shortcut icons that can be double-clicked to start an application can also be assigned a unique three-key combination called a shortcut key. Shortcut keys can be used to open a users' most often used programs in Windows. This can be a lifesaver for those using a screen reading program that has stopped and left the computer user who is blind without control of the machine.

How are the terms "dwarf," "little person," and "person of short stature" commonly used?

The terms "person of short stature," "little person," and "dwarf" are commonly used in the United States to refer to a person with a medical condition called "dwarfism." Although preferred terms vary by person and community, according to the Little People of America website, many people who experience dwarfism prefer the term "little person." According to Little People of America, dwarfism is "a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4 ft 10 inches (145 cm) or shorter, among both men and women." Unless physic

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