Sunday, October 2, 2011

Initiative on Accessible Technologies for All Students.

Initiative on Accessible Technologies for All Students. The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has launched amulti-year initiative that is intended to increase achievement andsuccess for all students through the use of assistive technologies Hardware and software that help people who are physically impaired. Often called "accessibility options" when referring to enhancements for using the computer, the entire field of assistive technology is quite vast and even includes ramp and doorway construction in buildings to support . In its press release announcing the new initiative, CoSN explainsthat an assistive technology device, as defined by the Individuals withDisabilities Education Act This article or section is currently being developed or reviewed.Some statements may be disputed, incorrect, , biased or otherwise objectionable. (IDEA), means any item, piece of equipment orproduct system, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized,that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functionalcapabilities of a child with a disability. However, notes CoSN, "Accessible technologies, as employed inK-12, districts, go beyond that to include the universal and equitableaccess by all students to the full range of educational technologies,including the system-wide use of assistive technologies. AccessibleTechnology takes off where Assistive Technology stops. It'sinclusive of inclusive ofprep.Taking into consideration or account; including. Assistive Technology, but much broader." According to according toprep.1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.2. In keeping with: according to instructions.3. CoSN, "Accessible Technologies for All Studentswill bridge the divide between those in charge of assistive technologies(AT) and those responsible for information technologies (IT) at the K-12school district level." CoSN describes interaction between these educational communities as"rare" and adds that this is due to separate programs,educational goals, funding sources, staffs and instruction al prioritiesfor students. Sponsors of the new initiative include the Sprint Foundation,AlphaSmart, Apple, Educational Testing Service The Educational Testing Service (or ETS) is the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization, operating on an annual budget of approximately $1.1 billion on a proforma basis in 2007. , gh LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , Intellitools,Kurzweil Educational Systems Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. is an American based company that specializes in providing reading and writing software to assist people who are blind or partially sighted, or who have learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder. and Verizon. All have made a three-yearcommitment to the initiative. Under the direction of an advisory steering group, CoSN willpublish an educators' toolkit; provide case studies; release awhite paper outlining K12 accessibility and technology advantages andissues; and organize an online course and a series of face-to-faceworkshops. Project activities will include: * an aggressive communications strategy aimed at district-leveldecision makers * a framework for districts to inventory what technologiescurrently exist in both special education and general education * a survey of K-12 school district technology leaders and specialeducation directors to identify common accessibility and assistivetechnology issues and/or problems * a Capitol Capitol, seat of the U.S. CongressCapitol,seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. Hill event to brief policy makers on the potential ofaccessible technologies and make recommendations for the wayspolicymakers can best support their effective implementation For more information about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Additionalinformation about the Accessible Technologies for All Students projectcan be found at www.accessibletech4all.org.

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