| October, 2003 |
|
Eye On 508
Project Assist
Project ASSIST received a grant from the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to develop a distance-learning computer
training program that offers instructor led classes. The classes are focused
around the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program. Instruction and
information use a keyboard approach, screen reader strategies, and information
relevant to blind and visually impaired computer users. Choose the About ASSIST Online link for more information.
Tutorials: Project ASSIST's tutorials and keyboard guides help people who are
blind, visually impaired, or deafblind learn to use popular Windows programs
like Windows XP, Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Internet Explorer.
Our unique tutorials use keyboard instruction and include keystrokes and
strategies for your screen reader. Step-by-step exercises give you hands-on
experience using your screen reader with the program. The keyboard guides list
the keystrokes and steps to perform common tasks. The keyboard guides are
excellent sources for quick reference information.
Currently the tutorials are written for screen readers with speech output. We
are pleased to announce that beginning 2003 we will be offering tutorials that
address the needs of deafblind individuals. These tutorials will include
specific keystrokes and strategies for your screen reader and Braille display.
We will also develop tutorials for communications programs. For more
information about this new endeavor, choose the Tutorials for DeafBlind
Individuals link.
http://www.blind.state.ia.us/assist/
DOJ: Guidance on Accessible Web Sites
Reprinted from the ADA & IT in Focus, Fall 2003
The Department of Justice has a new technical assistance document available to provide guidance to state and local governments on how to make their websites accessible. "Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities" includes resource information for web developers. This straightforward and helpful document is posted in PDF for print and PDF for screen, as well as HTML (www.ada.gov/websites2.htm)