Accessible Video: Tips, Tricks, and Tools for YouTube (and Beyond)
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Google's YouTube has helped make sharing video easy and popular for the non-technologically savvy. Users simply sign up for a YouTube channel, upload a video from their camera and instantly get a web address (url) and even a snippet of code (html) to embed on their websites. For people with
sensory disabilities, however, the use of this social media to convey
important information is frustrating. Videos are rarely captioned, few provide audio description of visual content, and even the players themselves are often inaccessible to screen readers and other assistive technology. In the last few months, however, Google has helped bring the need for accessible video to mainstream consciousness. Their launch of easy-to-use captioning tools--even auto-captioning--is helping set a new standard for what a video should include. Because of YouTube's innovation, MassMATCH set out to learn more about the new captioning tools for the benefit of our program and community. We wanted to know how to use them. We also wanted to know how to go beyond them to provide access to more people with disabilities. Below are tips, tricks, and tools for accessible video that we have gleaned from the web and from experts in the field. The article includes advice on captioning, audio description, and accessible video players. It is intended to provide general awareness as well as deeper insight for novice video producers and anyone embedding video content on a website. Read the rest of Accessible Video... |
MassMATCH Highlights for Fiscal Year 2009
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 Recently MassMATCH completed and published its annual report for federal fiscal year 2009. Below we highlight key accomplishments for the year including statistics on the impact of select programs.
New Reuse Program for Durable Medical Equipment. MassMATCH began a partnership with the Stavros Center for Independent Living to provide refurbishment of power wheelchairs, power scooters, and power standers. At the end of September, additional partners were being sought to expand these services to other regions of the state.
New Long-Term Device Loan Program. With Easter Seals, MassMATCH launched the Long-Term Device Loan Program for Low-Cost Devices, completed the pilot phase, and is continuing the program in FFY10.
Held the first AT Summit. MassMATCH held its first ever AT Summit for state agency AT staff. The focus of the conference was on identifying AT service gaps and working toward agency collaboration to improve and streamline services.
AT Assessment Tool Trainings. MassMATCH conducted extensive training for discharge planners, advocates, and others who work with people with disabilities and elders transitioning to community living. The trainings helped launch the AT assessment tool which was created to ensure that anyone wanting to move into (or remain within) the community is assessed for AT to help with that transition. AT Staff Directory. MassMATCH created a state AT Staff Directory to chart who provides what with regards to AT services for people with disabilities statewide. The directory was created to identify the state's AT human resources, encourage cross-agency collaboration, and to help understand and preserve these valuable services into the future. MassMATCH FFY09 Stats:- 683 assistive technology (AT) devices were loaned by MassMATCH partners to state residents. AT device loans allowed people to test drive devices or fill a short-term equipment need.
- 319 people learned about AT at a device demonstration. 45% were people with disabilities or family members; the rest were educators, health professionals, or other human services providers or therapists.
- 41 people with disabilities helped pilot MassMATCH's new Long-Term Device Loan Program (for devices valued under $500). The program is run in partnership with Easter Seals and saved consumers a total of $11,556.
- Get AT Stuff, the New England "Craig's List" for AT, completed 27 exchanges, saving Massachusetts residents an estimated $49,304 over retail.
- The Massachusetts AT Loan Program provided $1,396,740 in financial loans to 67 borrowers. The program has a loan approval rate that is 3% higher than the national average. Most loans were made to purchase vehicle modifications.
- 944 people were trained on AT topics.
- 727 people received information and referral services.
- 29,706 people were reached through public awareness activities.
- An additional 8,105 people visited the MassMATCH website.
Download the complete FFY09 report (Word) |
Hot Resource: OATS Website of Free AT Software
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OATS
stands for "Open Source Assistive Technology Software." The OATS
website is a
great resource for finding free AT software to meet a specific need.
Applications are organized by the following categories: text
input projects communication using
the mouse viewing
the screen accessing
the web symbols alternative
access E
learning and education general
tools other
need
The
site was launched in 2006 to
bring together an international community of users and developers to
create free AT software with the features that people want.
Wherever possible, the site provides user, developer, and OATS feedback
on the software applications. The OATS Project Consortium is
based in the UK, hosted by the University of Dundee, and coordinated by The Ace Centre. Visit www.oatsoft.org |
Get AT Stuff Highlights
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G  etATStuff--the
New England "Craig's List" for AT--currently has hundreds of items
available for sale or free throughout the six New England states. As of this
writing, GetATStuff highlights include: 17 Vision related items including a new talking alarm clock for $5 in Acton, MA
4 Hearing related items including a new Minicom IV TTY for $30 OBO in Somerville, MA.
11
Speech Communication related items including a free Zam Communication Device in
Boston, MA
8 Learning, Cognitive, Development related items including one Pacer gait trainer for $400 OBO in Orford, NH
332 Mobility, Seating, and Positioning related items
including a free Action Arrow power wheelchair in Amherst, MA
290
Daily Living related items including a free Convaid stroller tray in Sudbury, MA 4
Environmental Adaptation related items including a free Hoyer Lift in Amherst, MA 41
Transportation and Vehicle Modification related items including a van lift for $50 in Plattsburgh, NY 9
Computer related items including a Dolphin EZ Reader for $25 OBO in
North Scituate, RI 14
Recreation, Sports, and Leisure related items including one special needs ride-on toy for
$250 or best offer in Sudbury, MA Go
to www.getatstuff.org to search items by category or geography
or to list what you need. Go to the MassMATCH AT Swap and Shop web page to learn about
additional AT reuse sites. |
Product Spotlight
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The Help at Hand Emergency Telephone Dialer
Help at Hand is an emergency telephone dialer for seniors and persons with disabilities. It is designed to dial the telephone numbers you select and send your emergency message. You choose the persons to be called and you record the message they receive. Simply pull the ring on the wireless pendant to contact the persons you choose to hear the message you record. Help at Hand dials the phone for you. Silent dialing provides additional protection during a crime. Range of pendant is 75-100 feet. Base unit uses A/C (adapter included); Pendant uses 12v battery (included). Learn more at this Maxiaids.com web page.
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Free Vouchers for Technology Training Available to Residents of Massachusetts
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 On March 31, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick announced the
launch of Elevate America, a major public-private partnership between the
Commonwealth and Microsoft. The Elevate America Program provides 26,000
free vouchers for technology training for residents of Massachusetts.
Vouchers are available through June 29, 2010. Residents may participate in intermediate technology skills
training ranging from MS Word to Outlook, or if you're an IT Professional, take
certification exams in areas such as database administration, web design and
more. Microsoft vouchers are available at any of the 37 Massachusetts One-Stop
Career Centers. Find
a Career Center near you. To speed up your voucher request at the Career
Center, we suggest that you first register in JobQuest. Learn
more about Elevate America at this Mass.gov web page |
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Ask the Expert:
Communication Help Needed
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Dear Expert:
My father is in the hospital and needs help to communicate. He is unable to speak due to a tracheotomy and the use of a ventilator. He is also quadriplegic (from a previous spinal cord injury). He needs a way to communicate with us and with the doctors and nurses. I'm hoping you can recommend a device to help us. He has limited arm function, but has been a proficient computer user typing with hand splints and pens; however he is too weak right now to do this. He is sitting up a few hours each day. Can you help?
-Concerned Daughter
Dear Concerned Daughter: Thank you for contacting MassMATCH. Far too often
individuals with disabilities end up in the hospital without the communication
equipment they need, particularly as their functional limitations change. If
your father has his own laptop computer, I recommend that he use that with free
software and a head mouse. The software will allow him to write and hear back (speak)
what he has written. The head mouse will allow him to control the laptop
without the use of his arms. If he does not have his own laptop he can borrow one from the MassMATCH Short-Term Device Loan Program. He can
get the head mouse from that program too. Assuming he has his own laptop, here's what I recommend: -Download the sofType
4.2 onscreen keyboard demo from Orin (this is the program he will access
with the head mouse to type). -Download the Free Natural Reader 9.0 (he will type his words into this program and
it will read them back) -Borrow the Tracker Pro Head Mouse from the MassMATCH Short-Term Device Loan Program. He
can use the device for free for up to four weeks. We also have the Head Mouse
Extreme, but the Tracker Pro has much more adjustability to accommodate
different seated positions, so I feel it will be a better option to try. You
can read about the Tracker Pro at this Madentec.com
web page. For additional support, please follow
up with an AT Specialist at your nearest MassMATCH AT Regional Center.
I wish your father a speedy recovery. Contact The Expert Reminder: MassMATCH and the U.S. Department of Education make no endorsement, representation, or warranty expressed or implied for any product, device, or information set forth in this electronic newsletter. Neither MassMATCH nor the U.S. Department of Education has examined, reviewed, or tested any product or device contained herein.
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Upcoming Events
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May 12, 2010: Free Webinar on Successful Accommodations: Assistive Technology and Accessibility Working Together. Presented by: DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center and the DBTAC-Pacific ADA Center. Speaker: David Dikter, Executive Director of the Assistive Technology Industry Foundation. Overview of accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically Assistive Technology. Time: 12:00 PM-1:00PM EST. Register at the Accessible Technology Webinar page. For More Information: Contact Annie Ten 877 232 1990
May 14, 2010: The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T.A course presented by Practical Assistive Technology Solutions and Phyl. T. Macomber, AT Specialist. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. structures your adapted curriculum teaching in 4-step, language-learning format. Register online at this Practical AT Solutions webpage. Location: Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Road, S. Burlington, VT 05403. Time: 7:45 - 3:30 p.m. Fee: early bird $167.00, Regular $187.00, Parent $137.00. Learn more at www.aboutthepact.com. May 18, 2010: iPod Touch for Visual Supports and CommunicationThe iTouch presents a powerful tool for special education students. A range of applications are available for this device that can address visual supports and communication. This workshop will also explore use of the device in terms of managing an iTunes library with photos and video. Presented by Easter Seals, 256 Union Street New Bedford, MA 02740 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $50.00. May 21, 2010: The Power of T.H.E.
P.A.C.T.
See description above.
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown 100 High St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 May 22, 2010: iPod Touch for Visual Supports and
CommunicationSee description above. Presented by Easter Seals, 89 South Street 1st Floor Boston, MA 02111, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., $50.00. May 27,
2010: The Power of T.H.E.
P.A.C.T.
See description above.
Crowne Plaza Boston/Newton 320 Washington St Newton, MA 02458. |
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