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News You Can Use

Background Color

Laptop with the word reading displayed

In an earlier blog, increasing font size to help with readability on a screen was discussed. Similarly, this month we will talk about changing the background color to improve the readability of a document.

Protecting Your Students When Reading: Textbooks & Trade, Large Print or Braille Books

Photo of a few books open on a desk

When students use…

  • a book such as a textbook, trade, large print or braille book
  • on a table or desk
  • a typical chair

Sitting at a desk reading textbooks, reading books, large print or braille books should follow the same posture guidelines as sitting at a desk using a laptop, desk top computer or an iPad.

Reading Speed

Drawing of a woman using a laptop

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.

Protecting Your Students When Reading: Cell phones, iPads, and Kindles

Photo of a young boy holding a computer tablet close to his face sitting at a desk

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.

ALT Text

Laptop displaying the AIM-VA logo with a tag attached to the screen saying "This is the AIM-VA logo"

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.

Protecting Your Students When Reading: Laptops/Chromebooks, Refreshable Braille Displays

Illustration of a girl sitting at a computer desk using a laptop

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.

Text-to-Speech

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.

Protecting Your Students When Reading: Using a Desktop Computer, Table or Desk, Chair

Illustration of a girl sitting at a computer desk

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.

Font Size

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.

How to Protect Students when they’re 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.