This a discussion board entry, make it very simple, correct spelling. I included a lot of sample answers other students posted, read them and take info/ideas but don’t copy please, put it in your own words. Make sure you answer both threads, each only in a paragraph or less, nothing more.
Respond to both:
Thread 1: Share your thoughts on the difference within the terms accessibility, accomidation and universal design as related to either your personal experience or your work with individuals with disabilities of any description.
Thread 2: How do you learn to use a device? Give one example of supporting a learning goal for yourself or another in using a tool or technology. What are the steps you take when faced with a new device?
I usually like playing around with the device, exploring it, reading the manual etc.
Sample answers to thread one:
Sample 1
Accessibility: When something is accessible, it means that people who have a disability are able to do the same things as people who do not have a disability. If something is not accessible, it means the person with the disability is not going to be able to partake or participate in it. For instance, if the classroom teacher were playing Kahoot, students who are blind or visually impaired are not going to have access to the game.
Accomodation: An accomodation is something that can be added to help the student gain access to the same materials everyone else has. An example of this would be using audio description, when watching a movie. I learned from my students that most Disney movies have audio description.
Universal design: Universal design means it is made the same way for every person. People who have a disability are not singled out here. This is something that everyone can use and has access to. An example of this would be a sign in. apublic place that has both print and braille on it.
Sample 2
• Accessibility- The ability to be able to use a tool or gain access to information in an easy-to-use manner (such as formatting, font-size, magnification, reading doc abilities, etc).
• In the classroom, it is important that I meet my students’ needs and make sure that the devices and services that my students(s) use are accessible per their IEP, FVA’s, and other documents.
• Accommodation- An arrangement in which the individual’s visual needs, services, and goals are reached in alternative formats that meet their IEP needs.
• In the classroom, having the correct accommodations for students is crucial and must be documented. Furthermore, TVI’s and other vision teacher’s need to document their student’s visual accommodations. For example, I needed large print exams and didn’t use scantrons in middle/high school. It was important that these accommodations were documented in my IEP and that I advocated for them.
• Universal design- The making of products, tools, and services which provide accessibility to many different individuals (disabled or not). These services provide benefits for all.
• In the real world, having clear, dark, and distinct large room numbers on classroom doors in school hallways can be helpful for someone with low vision who is nearsighted and/or has low vision. However, it can also benefit students without visual impairments as well.
Sample 3
Universal Design- takes into account use regardless of size, shape, gender, handicap, age, language ability, or cultural background of the person using or fits the most people as possible. I’m thinking of a pictograph or a toilet for a bathroom or the handicapped sign. It could also be something like a rocker light switch or a toggle light switch which only has 2 positions. Sometimes this is incorporated to the shape of an object so that it can only fit one way, the correct way. This would be achieved perhaps by rounding or cutting off a corner of a square object to fit into another square recepticle that has only one corner cut off.
Accomodation- I think of this when some type of structure can’t be changed so adaptations are made. This makes me think of making a row home in center city Philadelphia accessible to a wheelchair by adding a lift since you wouldn’t be able to put a ramp into the side walk to acheive the necessary grade on the angle of the ramp for safety and functionality.
Accessible- I think of this as another built in design. Accessibility is built in, with the end-user already considered or adhering to a certain standardized code. This could also be a retrofit after the intial build. Most of my experience is with wheelchairs. This could again be a ramp, or adding curb cuts to a sidewalk. For a visual impairment, I would think this would be adding an auditory component to a traffic light crossing to tell you how long the light will be green.
Sample 4
Accessibility is beneficial because it would have modifications for it to be clearer despite someone having low vision, especially when it comes to reading a document. Accommodation is necessary because not everyone will have the same needs. Universal design makes something reasonable to use because I would say it sets a standard. I do not have direct experience with working with people with disabilities, but I would imagine it would take patience and everyone is different. I would definitely make sure that accommodations are made to meet the needs of every client. Also, if any accommodations need to be made I would ensure that they are met because to that individual it means a lot and also to be understood and not brushed off to the side. Just because others may not need any modifications does not mean that it should be overlooked. Whether it be a document, altering the contrast or colors on a sign, or putting a ramp up for physical disabilities, it makes a difference and should be made accessible to everyone.
Sample 5
Accessibility: Accessibility is the degree of which the products or enviornment is available to all people. No modification or adaptation is required. An example are wheelchair ramps.
Accomodation: Accomodation means that the system has been modified to meet the needs for all people. It is meant to overcome barriers in the enviornment. An accommodation is a fix that has been applied over time. An example is when font is made bigger after complaints that it is too small to read.
Universal Design: The definition of universal design is designing products and creating enviornments that is accessible and usable by all people but without specialized design. When applying design principles the services must meet the required needs of a wide variety of users. In regards to learning, universal design is applied to educational materials and must meet the needs to achieve educational goals for individuals with all types of characteristics (ie; seeing, hearing, speaking, moving, etc.). An example is having a flexible work space/ school setting.
Sample 6
Accessibility is defined as making something capable of being reached. The benefits of technology are what makes objects and/or items accessible to me and gives me access to such things that I otherwise, would not be able to reach. Accommodation is defined as a convenient arrangement, settlement, or compromise. I have used accommodation in teaching and I also use accommodations personally. For instance, in academic settings, travel settings, mobility settings, vacation settings, and more. There are various accommodations that can be made for a vary of different situations. Universal design is the process of creating products that are accessible to a wide range of people abilities, disabilities, characteristics, and essentially everyone can use. This can be attached to any component that you choose to associate it with like ergonomics, buildings, autonomous cars, and Alexa are just a few examples. I see accessibility as a way to access a product built around universal design like; screen readers or screen magnifiers for computers/phones and learning mobility to travel around inside of a building.
Sample 7
For me, the term accessibility refers to a tool or a technology that integrate additional features in order to make it usable by as many people as possible. Various products like smartphone or tablets have accessibility features. It’s also possible to create accessible documents or websites. In my previous career as a web developer, I created websites that integrated accessibility features.
The term accommodation refers to bringing external features or devices to help a person perform a task in the best possible conditions. During my school years I had accommodations for the exams, like additional time, magnifiers and better lighting. Those elements are external and added to enhance a situation and allow for the best result.
The expression universal design, for me, can be opposed to accessibility, as accessibility integrate additional features while universal design is thought, at the beginning, to offer the best usability. Universal design refers to a tool or a technology that will be usable by as many people as possible from the start, without integrating additional accessibility features. Each element of the tool or technology is thought to ba as inclusive as possible.
Samples to thread 2
Sample 1
When I have to learn a new device, I start by playing around with the object. Then I take a look at the manual. Most of the time, I like to youtube the device and watch reviews. It is even better with the company itself have videos on their devices and how to use them. If someone I know has it, I ask them for help. Most importantly, before even buying the device I do a lot of research and read reviews. If its something on Amazon, I scan the reviews using an app called “FakeSpot”, and it lets you know if the same IP posts comments under different usernames. It helps me review items and see if they are fake or not.
Sample 2
I feel I learn the best when I am able to experience and use something first hand. I don’t usually look at the manual first, I prefer to get whatever it may be in my hands so I can go through different settings or explore capabilities or features. If there is a feature that I am unable to use or find, I will then consult the manual out of shame for direction. I can then use my experiences with the device to relay information to a new user. I can help a new user navigate through areas that may have caused me trouble or share with them features that I enjoyed or found useful. When I use something new, I know as much about it as possible. I want to be able to answer any questions that may come up confidently and correctly.
Sample 3
When I learn a new device, I do it like a lego set, one step at a time. I can get overwhelmed with new things, so it helps for me to take it slow and to have some sort of directions to follow. When I assisted my grandma (who has RP) with her TV the other day, we took it slow and one step at a time. I was showing her how she could assess her Xfinity TV channels and an orientation of the remote control. It helped for my grandma to take it one step at a time and to give her room to do it on her own/ask questions. I find that taking it one step at a time, but also facilitating the individual to explore with the device/tool works best for me. I also encourage this for myself and others that if something isn’t working or it’s too frustrating at the moment: take a break! I need to do that more often! It’s okay to take a break and come back to it with a fresh mind.
Sample 4
Learning to use a new device is not always easy! When I need to learn to use a device I read directions on the device first. I will also ask questions to people who currently have the device, or know how to use it. And finally, I can watch a youtube video on the device to help me. One example of supporting a learning goal for myself in using technology would be asking more about the educational apps on an ipad and how to use them (voice dream reader, writer, etc.). In order to do this, I would neeed to first purchase the app and then ask questions on. how to use it. This would not only help me, but possibly my future students as well. When faced with a new device, I will watch youtube videos and ask questions to current users, as well as play around with the device to discover different features and settings.
Sample 5
Learning to use a new device is not always easy! When I need to learn to use a device I read directions on the device first. I will also ask questions to people who currently have the device, or know how to use it. And finally, I can watch a youtube video on the device to help me. One example of supporting a learning goal for myself in using technology would be asking more about the educational apps on an ipad and how to use them (voice dream reader, writer, etc.). In order to do this, I would neeed to first purchase the app and then ask questions on. how to use it. This would not only help me, but possibly my future students as well. When faced with a new device, I will watch youtube videos and ask questions to current users, as well as play around with the device to discover different features and setting
Sample 6
I learn best by observing visually as well as listening. If I just read directions, it is sometimes not as helpful because I need to see an example or watch a video of a demonstration. I would remember the verbal instructions while watching how someone uses a certain device. A device I would like to become familiar with would be a pen reader. I know it sounds simple, but how would someone know where the next line is and what if a line is skipped, how would someone find the correct one? I like how it verbally says the line it reads, but does someone have to have some vision to use this tool? I feel like if I used it and observed someone utilize this device then it would seem simple after a few tries and I would probably learn how to use it successfully through trial and error as well.
