News You Can Use

This school year, we have discussed various common features that may make reading electronic documents more accessible.

This month let’s talk about changing the rate of reading speed in documents.

When students use…

• a small device such as mobile/cell or iPad/Kindle
• on a table or desk
• a typical chair

Using smaller devices such as an iPad, Kindle or cell phone can be more difficult to position at a desktop. This is especially true knowing that posture guidelines remain the same when sitting at a desk and using a desktop computer. The elbows, hips and knees should be at 90 degrees; the feet, flat on the floor; and the screen of the device at eye level when one is sitting up straight.

Happy New Year!

Let’s start the new year by looking at one of the important tools for students using screen readers or who have visual impairments, ‘alt text’ for visual data such as images, drawings, or other graphics.

When students use…

• a laptop, Chromebook, or refreshable braille displays
• on a table or desk
• a typical chair

Using computer laptops, Chromebooks or even refreshable braille displays are not like using Desktop computers. Since these smaller, portable devices are most often used lying flat on a table or desktop, it’s important to address proper positioning to protect your students when reading.

TTS refers to tools that are designed to change digital text to speech and allows that digital text to be read aloud. Providing text to speech allows students to have access to grade level materials and listening to the text allows them to broaden their vocabulary as well as gain new information.

When students use…

• a desktop computer
• on a table or desk
• a typical chair

Children’s ergonomics recommendations tend to be similar to that of adults.

Last month, the uses of the high-lighting feature were discussed in this blog.

This month let’s look at font size
and its impact on reading.

While we all know that AIM-VA provides accessible instructional materials to eligible Virginia K-12 students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are unable to access traditional print due to a Print Disability, it’s extremely important to also know that students who are accessing AIM-VA’s digital books on electronic devices or hardcopy braille and large print books, need to do so safely.

Last year, the beginning-of-the-month blog focused on different reading programs educators could use with their students to support reading AIM-VA digital files. In 2022-2023, the focus will be on common electronic reading features that students can use to enhance their reading experience. The first one we will discuss is the HIGHTLIGHTING feature available when reading digital text.

Summer is a great time for teachers to challenge themselves to learn some additional tools and explore options to support how to read that will help them when students return to school.