Equitable Access: Bridging the Digital Divide to Foster Online Learning Accessibility Challenges

1. Equitable Access: Bridging the Digital Divide to Foster Online LearningAccessibility Challenges Catherine A. Durivage, Director Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library MN eLearning Summit, July 30, 2013 “Leading for educational excellence and equity. Every day for every one.”

2. Accessibility is for Everyone www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

3. "The power of the Web is in itsuniversality. Access by everyoneregardless of disability is anessential aspect." -- Tim Berners-LeeW3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

4. What is a Disability? www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

5. Definition www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us A disability, under Federal disability discrimination law, is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities (for example, caring for one's self, speaking, breathing, or learning). Source: U.S. Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/wb/faq8.htm

6. Who has a disability? www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

7. Disability Statistics www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us • 20% of the U.S. adult population has a disability, or 1-5 adults • In Minnesota, the number of people with a disability by age is: • 18-44 years of age 11.7% • 45-64 years of age 22.0% • 65+ years of age 36.6% Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

8. Disability Statistics www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us • 8.1 million people have difficulty seeing • 2.0 million are blind or unable to see • 30.6 million have difficultly walking or climbing stairs or use a cane, wheelchair or walker. • 19.9 million have difficulty lifting (e.g. a bag of groceries) or grasping (e.g. a pencil or a mouse) • 7.6 million have difficulty hearing • 5.6 million use a hearing aid Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Americans with Disabilities, 2010 (http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html)

9. Hidden Disabilities www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

10. Disabilities that are not readily apparent www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us Chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cancer Depression Autism Anxiety Disorders It is estimated that 10% of people in the U.S. have a medical condition which could be considered a type of invisible disability. Source: Invisible Disabilties Information (http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/)

11. Minnesota Braille and Talking Book LibraryTo provide a specialized statewide public library service to Minnesotans of all ages with visual, physical, and reading disabilities. www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

12. Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library(www.mnbtbl.org) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us Part of a network of U.S. libraries in the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress program Providing reading material to print-impaired individuals. in audio, braille and large print to eligible Minnesotans since 1933 Service is free! State and Federal tax dollars support this program Material is available by mail or via the Internet Partner with the Communication Center at State Services for the Blind who provides the free audio equipment for talking books among other services

13. What is Available? Audio, Braille and Large Print • Bestsellers, classics, mysteries, westerns, biographies, fiction, nonfiction, etc. • Children, young adult and adult titles • Collection is similar to a medium-sized public library collection Magazines • Consumer Reports • Smithsonian • Atlantic • Foreign Affairs • And many others Newspapers • Dial-In News • NFB-Newsline www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

14. MN Braille and Reading Download (MN BARD) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us An online service that allows registered individuals and institutions with a fast Internet connection the ability to download braille and digital talking books and magazines 24/7. iPhone, iPad and iTouch app coming in Fall 2013!! (Android version ready at a later date)

15. Eligibility and Applying for Service www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us For complete eligibility requirements visit the “Eligibility for Service” section at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s (NLS) website (http://www.loc.gov/nls/eligible.html) To apply for service, visit the library’s website (www.mnbtbl.org)

16. Other Sources of Accessible Reading MaterialsMinnesota Resources www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

17. Communication Center, State Services for the Blind(www.mnssb.org) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us • Provides custom audio and braille transcription • Free to MBTBL patrons • Charges fees to schools, colleges and universities, businesses, government agencies and non profits Dial-In News Telephone and online service to the state’s two largest daily newspapers, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and City Pages, an alternative weekly.

18. Other Sources of Accessible Reading MaterialsOther Resources www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us

19. Bookshare(www.bookshare.org) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us • Online library of accessible reading materials (books, textbooks, newspapers and magazines) in Daisy, mp3, braille and text-to-speech formats for people with print disabilities. • Membership is currently free to qualifying U.S. K-12 students or schools (public or private), home-schooled students, post-secondary (public and private) students or schools and all other educational institutions. All others the cost is $75.00 ($25 one-time setup fee + $50 annual fee) • Volunteer-produced content

20. Learning Ally(www.learningally.org)(formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us A national nonprofit organization that provides audiobooks to students and other individuals with dyslexia and visual impairments Good source for textbook materials Materials available on compact disc or via download for PC, Mac, and iPhone, iPad or iTouch Cost: $119.00 per year for individuals Various pricing options for educational organizations

21. NFB-Newsline(nfb.org/audio-newspaper-service) www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us NFB-Newsline® is a free electronic newspaper and magazine reading service from the National Federation of the Blind that eligible users can access via the telephone, the Internet, email or with an iPhone, iPod or iPad. More than 300 publications including TV listings are available. Minnesota papers include the Duluth News Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Rochester Post-Bulletin, Saint Cloud Times and Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Contact the library for more information.

22. Laws Pertaining to Accessible Online Content www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us • American with Disabilities Act http://www.ada.gov/ • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/act.htm • Section 508 Reference Guide E-Learning and Multimedia http://www.uspto.gov/about/offices/cio/section508/06elearning.jsp#heading-1 • Minnesota Statute 363A.43 Continuing Education; Accessibility https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=363A.43

23. Creating Accessible Web-based Materials – Sources www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us Minnesota Star Program Website http://www.starprogram.state.mn.us/Accessibility_Usability.htm Accessible Online Courses: Techniques and Tips http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1145/ Students with Disabilities and Online Learning http://www.udi.uconn.edu/index.php?q=print/385

24. Creating Accessible Web-based Materials – Sources, cont’d www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us Accessibility Specialists: Understanding “Invisible” Disabilities”& What This Means for Online Learning http://www.3playmedia.com/2013/04/30/accessibility-specialists-understanding-invisible-disabilities-what-means-online-education/ Hidden Disabilities: Is Your e-Learning Fully Section 508 Compliant? http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/249/hidden-disabilities-is-your-e-learning-fully-section-508-compliant

25. For More Information www.mnbtbl.org education.state.mn.us Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library 388 SE 6th Ave Faribault, MN 55021-6340 Toll-Free: 1-800-722-0550 Fax: 507-333-4832 Email: mn.btbl@state.mn.us Website: www.mnbtbl.org