SWAG “Students with Accessibility Glitches” for the Blind & Visually Impaired

1. SWAG“Students with Accessibility Glitches” for the Blind & Visually Impaired Date: Wednesday, June 26th

2. Objectives • Understand the transitional needs for the student and the disability office • Develop strategies that work for students that are blind or visually impaired. • Advise and educate about designing materials for students that are blind or Visually impaired. • Remove attitudinal barriers, and stigma from the campus

3. Who are we? • Tamara Mariotti - Coordinator of Accessibility Resources at Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, NY • Roger Purdy – Director of Accessibility & Disability Support at LeMoyne College, Syracuse NY • Makka Djouma - Student at MVCC, and participated in the LeMoyne Summer Program for the Blind (STRIVE)

4. Definitions • Legally Blind – Legal blindness is “a level of vision loss that has been legally defined to determine eligibility for benefits”. This refers to a medically diagnosed central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction • Total Blindness -refers to an in ability to see anything with either eye.

5. Definitions continued • Low Vision -Person who has measurable vision but has difficulty accomplishing or can not accomplish visual tasks even with prescribed corrective lenses. • Visual Impairment -Functional limitation in the eyes that will not get better. Usually from a health diagnosis or degenerative loss of vision (ex. An accident or medical condition, such as diabetes).

6. Transition to College “The Early Bird gets the Worm”

7. Transitional Programs • LeMoyne – Summer program (Strive) • Bridge and high school connection programs • Meeting early – 9th or 10th grade • Participating in IEP meetings (Making sure of AT needed)

8. Le Moyne Summer Program • STRIVE

9. Describe your transition, pros and cons Makka Adam Djouma

10. Financing Equipment and Supports A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved.

11. Equipment Needs: IT DEPENDS! • 2600/Index Basic D V5 Braille Printer (3900.) • Duxbury for Windows single user license (600.) • JAWS Professional single user license (1100.) • Swell Form Graphics Machine (1580.) • Swell Touch Paper 8.5" x 11", 100 Sheets (165.) • Braille Paper-Continuous-8.5 x 11in-19-Hole-1000ct (50.) • Braille labels, Dots, Signature Guide, 100. • CCTV and magnification software(Zoomtext) Total starting costs: approximately $7500-8000.00 **Students typically come with the AT they need.

12. The perspective of a Blind Student

13. FUNDING for Disability Resources • Perkins: Equipment • Reader’s aid funding: Staff $2000.00 per student per semester for those that qualify. • Work Study students & Internships from college departments • VR Services – Commission for the Blind, or ACCES-VR (Student’s personal equipment)

14. Assistive Technology – Student based • Braille printed material • Tactile materials • Programs that read to them (Bookshare, Learning Ally) • Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, Voice Over) • Refreshable Braille • Use of email, cell phones, recorders, braille notes, iPads, Blackboard, • Apps - Ellucian Go, Money app, Uber, color apps, etc.

15. Community Collaboration • Agencies that work with people who are blind: Aurora of CNY (Syracuse), CABVI (Utica) to provide mobility training, travel training, technology training, life skills training (Laundry), advocacy, Etc. • NY State Commission for the Blind, or ACCES-VR • Scholarships – Lavelle-Brother Kearney Scholarship, contact Kate Morris, kmorris@lavellefund.org

16. What Assistive Technology Do You Use? Makka Adam Djouma

17. Classroom and Institution Materials A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.

18. Preparation prior to classes • Preplanning with faculty (Introduction letters) • Audio Description of any videos • Institute/ Training for the faculty • UDL Trainings • Moving classes to the same buildings • Other programs and services: Club materials, Tutor scheduling, Library materials, Residence hall, applications, FASFA. Example of APA Style guide in PDF, and converted.

19. Alternate Textbooks • Bookshare • Access Text • Learning Ally

20. Classroom • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) CAST • SensusAccess, Blackboard Ally for faculty conversion on campus • Converting materials- PowerPoints, Tests, and tactile needs of a class • Science class Labs -1:1 in the labs TACTILE examples • Math courses - a whole different situation. Example of PowerPoint and converted material (CJ202)

21. Build Allies, Ask the student what works, Network… • *Start with what is needed and move forward. • HELPFUL LINKS HANDOUT

22. Getting the Institution on Board A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

23. Engaging Accessibility: 4 Tips for Administration

24. Changing mindsets • A lot of progress has been made toward breaking down barriers in employment, education, and accessibility, but actual communication and interaction with people with disabilities still needs attention. • Ask the student what they need they have the real life experience on what is needed • Meet with them and their Commission for the Blind Counselor (Sister agency to ACCES-VR)

25. What are some self advocacy moments you recall the most? • Makka Adam Djouma

26. Questions?

27. THANK YOU! Tamara Mariotti 315-731-5702 tmariotti@mvcc.edu Roger Purdy 315 445-4118 purdyrg@lemoyne.edu Makka Adam Djouma madamdjouma01@student.mvcc.edu