OSU 2009 Access Technology Updates

1. OSU 2009 Access Technology Updates • Training (AT Director): • Speech-to-text and screen readers. • Collaborations with WAC for web-based trainings: D2L with students and staff access to online time-sheet. • Campus interest in online conferencing and e-learning: • Possible solution: Serotek Accessible Event. • Novel approach: Works as adjunct to another system, not as replacement. • Campus mapping and GPS Access: • Working with Facilities personnel develop accessible campus maps • Looking at ways to import current detailed campus maps to provide GPS waypoints. • Trekker Breeze import not robust enough. Reviewing products from Sendero Group. • Enterprise RFP involvements: • Student email/calendaring/collaboration: MS Outlook Web Access (Light) + Exchange Labs, disability user testing. • Malware/Virus-scanning: McAfee (again), expert testing on Mac and PC with keyboard and screen readers .

2. OSU 2009 AT Updates (continued, 2) • Survey of Survey Tools web page and workshops • Staff changes: • Vinnie Young quits, AT Director gets 20 hour-per-week assistant • D2L Accessibility Interest Group collaboration (3rd year, on-going) • Ohio STEM Ability Alliance Student Learning Community: • Social networking web site and presentations with late high-school/early college students encouraging interest in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. (Via NSF grant to OSU Nisonger Center) • CaptionAid: Tool for editing and producing synchronized captions • Editor nearly complete. Hardware and software purchases funded through TELR grant. Development by WAC. Expected beta: late July, early August. • Residual products: JW Player Controls and Accessible Controls for the YouTube Embedded Video Player.

3. OSU 2009 AT Updates (continued, 3) • Big News: Ohio Board of Regents (OBR) /Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC) Agreement • Ad-hoc group began meeting in Fall ’08. Wide participation. • Final agreement required last minute omnibus amendment to state budget, giving the University System of Ohio Chancellor authority to request that the Office of Budget and Management transfer Student Support Services funds to Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission for the purpose of obtaining federal matching funds to serve students with disabilities. • Ratio 3.68 to 1 Federal matching funds. Total of $3.2 million from original $700K from OBR. Agreement renews for minimum 2 years. Details: • To “hold campuses harmless” individual campuses put together itemizations under rubric of grants for “services to groups.” This keeps current campus funding and allows for expansion of services. • 2 FTEs for project/service management from RSC. • Rest goes for assistive technology purchases and projects to benefit University System. • Oversight and decision making at University System of Ohio-level: eTech Ohio, OhioLINK, Rehab. Services Commission, and Ohio Board of Regents. • OSU represented on technology selection committee • OSU proposed technologies for University System of Ohio funding: CaptionAid, transcription service pilot, video search software, PDF remediation tools and training, Access Technology Users Group (ATUG) site creation and promotion: approx. $350K