Do it yourself Accessibility Tricks

·&nbsp;The site <a href="https://www.texttomp3.online/">texttomp3.online</a> offers a free tool that allows you to copy and paste your text into a text box. ·&nbsp;You then pick which voice you want for the audio file and which language you want the voice to be in. ·&nbsp;You then click on the generate file button. ·&nbsp;The audio file is then created. ·If you like the recording, you simply download the audio and upload your file to whatever presentation/LMS you want.

Graph showing the different account types.  $4 buys 15 conversions, 5 files storage, $14 buys unlimited conversions, 10,0000 word conversion, 100 file storage, Fee gives you 5 conversions per day, 300 words per conversion, 5 file storage

Textomp3 is free to use but you have a 300 character limit. If you want more letter characters, you can purchase a premium account. A premium acount costs $14( one time fee) and you get up to 10,000 letter characters and unlimited conversations.

<a href="bookcreator://page/jtUsBD-dR4uJp7A-1HAOew">Return to table of contents</a>

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D.I.Y easy tricks/tools you can use to make your content accessible.

Comic showing two people, one of the people is in a wheelchair. The person not in the wheelchair asks the person in the wheelchair, "So what do you prefer to be called? Handicapped? Disabled? or Physically Challenged?" The person in the wheelchair replies, "Joe, would be fine." The caption underneath the picture says "The most appropriate label is usually the one someone's parents have given him."

By Wendy Torres Twitter handle: @Tech_snacks

Tip/trick #7: Use <a href="https://youdescribe.org/">YouDescribe</a> to create audio descriptions to YouTube videos.

What is Audio Description? " Audio Description is the verbal depiction of key visual elements in media and live productions. Also known as "audio description" or "video description," the description of media involves the interspersion of these depictions with the program's original audio." - quote from <a href="http://www.descriptionkey.org/index.html">Description Key website.</a> Audio Description is a form of&nbsp;narration&nbsp;used to provide information about visual images for the benefit of&nbsp;blind and visually impaired&nbsp;people.

Disney's Frozen Teaser Trailer

Frozen - Trailer with Audio Description

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1x76DoACB8">Video trailer without audio description</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7j4_aP8dWA">Video trailer with audio description</a>

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Speaking of captioning for presentations....

If you use PowerPoint, Microsoft has released a new feature called PowerPoint Live and is now available globally. With PowerPoint Live your students/audience can get the presentation as you are presenting live on their device. They can select what language they want the captions to be in, and can also provide feedback to you while you present.

How to use PowerPoint Live for inclusive and engaging presentations

Tip/trick 2: Use the dictation tool in Microsoft Office 365 Suite , or the Voice tool in Google Docs to make transcripts of lectures.

Both Microsoft Office 365 Suite products and Google Suite products have a dictation tool. The dictation tool allows you to speak aloud and your words will be automatically transcribed on your document. You may have to change a few words on the final product, but both are fairly accurate. This is an easy way to have transcripts created and ready for your students.

Voice Typing In Google Docs: A Quick Introduction

Microsoft Dictate in Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint by Chris Menard

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A robust browser extension you can share with your students 

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helperbird.com/">Helper Bird</a> is a browser extension that is available for <a href="https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/helperbird-accessibility/bkibfggdahioahpokehoiimdmdjefjmd">Edge</a>, FireFox and <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/helperbird-accessibility/ahmapmilbkfamljbpgphfndeemhnajme">Chrome</a> browsers. Helper Bird was created by Robert James, who is dyslexic and wanted to make a tool to help others study online without struggles. Helper Bird is free to download and install and offers free and premium tools.&nbsp;You get a huge amount of tools available on the free plan, but when you first download the extension, you are granted 7 days of a pro account so you can check out all the features and tools. To see the full list of tools available and pricing options, check out the link below: <a href="https://www.helperbird.com/pricing">Pricing options for HelperBird</a>

To see how to use all the features of Helper Bird, check out this <a href="https://wakelet.com/wake/uwOAM15-uounsMLmTKasf">Wakelet collection.</a>

Helperbird - Overview

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Tip/Trick #3: Create mp3 audio files of your typed work.

There are several text to mp3 sites that offer text conversion tools. Most of the sites have free basic services, then offer premium features at a cost. Here are some sites that you can also use:

-<a href="https://ttsmp3.com/">TTSMP3.com</a>: Free service up to 3,000 characters. Simply copy and paste your text into the text box and select the language and voice you want. Then click on the download mp3 button and an audio file is created. You can then upload that file to a presentation or LMS.(Learning Management System.) <a href="https://www.text2speech.org/">-Text2Speech.org</a>: Free service up to 4,000 characters. Only 4 voice options and only 2 language options. -<a href="https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/">NaturalReaders.com</a>: This site not only offers free conversion of text to mp3 ( up to 20 minutes per day) services, but also reads text/content from websites and documents. A premium subscription costs $9.99 a month with additional features.

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People with disabilities make up the largest minority group&nbsp;in the&nbsp;world&nbsp;(20% of the population, approximately one&nbsp;billion people).*

12.9% of students in North America have a disability. 25% of the global population, 9% of students in North America, has a cognitive disability. That means 1 in every 25 North American freshmen will have a learning disability. Only 16% of North American students with disabilities earn college degrees. 60% to 80% of North American undergraduate students choose not to disclose a disability. 9% of North American graduate students choose not to disclose their disability.

*References 1. <a href="https://help.blackboard.com/Accessibility/Accessibility_in_Education">https://help.blackboard.com/Accessibility/Accessibility_in_Education&nbsp;</a>

Have a discussion about the Accessibility features of electronic devices.

Many electronic devices have built in accessibility features in their products. As such, banning the use of such electronic devices can be very <a href="https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-undergraduate-students-and-information-technology/2018/experiences-with-instructors-and-technology">problematic for students.</a>

Cartoon showing students on cell phone and the teacher saying "Sorry class. This is now a cellphone free zone."

<a href="https://www.apple.com/accessibility/">Accessibility settings of Apple products</a> <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows?activetab=pivot_1:primaryr2">Accessibility settings for Windows Devices</a> <a href="https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6006564?hl=en">Accessibility settings of Android devices</a>

"&nbsp;Allowing only students who have documented disabilities the use of digital devices can draw unwanted attention from their peers, effectively identifying them as having a learning need they are entitled to keep private."-<a href="https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-undergraduate-students-and-information-technology/2018/experiences-with-instructors-and-technology#82ae659656c342f4954d987b043ba981">EDUCAUSE ECAR 2018 report</a>

How are students with disabilities affected?

Printed text: Incompatible with screen readers used by blind/low vision students and students with learning disabilities. Supplement with audio, provide an electronic version of the text. Audio: Hearing impaired students may not hear it, students with LD (auditory processing) may have difficulty understanding it. Supplement with printed text. Video: blind/low vision students may not see it, students with LD may have difficulty understanding it. Provide descriptions, captions, or written transcipt. Picture: Blind/low vision students may not see it. Add description/caption. Synchronous ( real time discussion): Blind/low vision students,students with LD and ADHD, or other disabilities may have difficulties following up or keeping up. Us asynchronous (online) formart for discussion to allow more time for processing and responding. Test/quizzes: Many students with disabilities have slower processing speeds that impact performance. Provide extended time/supplement with audio/provide large text size option.

How does <a href="https://youdescribe.org/">YouDescribe </a>work?

1) If you have a Google account, sign in with your Google credentials. 2) In the search box, type in the keywords or the title of your video. 3) Videos will come up that match those keywords. First you will see videos that have audio description. You can keep those descriptions or add your own. 4) For videos that show up that don't have audio description, you can add the audio description. 5)Save and publish your video 6) Share the link to the audio described video.

Getting Started with YouDescribe: Audio Description Basics.

How Does YouDescribe Work? Creating Audio Description.

Reality: The Disabled Population is the largest minority group in the world with at least 1 billion people. It is also the only group where any of us can become a member of at any time.

1 billion people live with a disability 1 out of 7 has a disability

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Why is accessibility important? Why does it matter?

"We&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;teach to teach the privileged and the&nbsp;few, we teach to teach all, and if we&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;become accessible,&nbsp;we are&nbsp;not teaching&nbsp;everyone." &nbsp;- <a href="https://webaccess.berkeley.edu/about/staff-bios">Lucy Greco</a>

Picture of Lucy Greco. Female, long black hair, wearing a pink shirt

In terms of education, we are mandated by law that all digital content is accessible.(The Rehabilitation Act of 1973-amended many times) 

Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that persons with disabilities have comparable access to and use of electronic information technology.​  Section 504 requires organizations to provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in their programs and benefit from their services.​  Unless you are a Federal agency- your institution is held to the standards of Section 504- 508 is more stringent but the ideal .​

Section 504 includes electronic information technology

Not every disability is visible or disclosed.

Visual impairment: This covers people who are completely or partially blind, have poor sight or suffer from color blindness. Physical impairment: this covers people who are missing limbs, have reduced control of their limbs or suffer from dexterity problems or epilepsy. Hearing impairment: this covers people who are completely or partially deaf. Cognitive impairment: This covers people who have difficulties in learning such as learning disabilties.

Boy with autism smiling wearing a costume

You may use this presentation: Under the following terms: •Attribution&nbsp;—&nbsp;You must give&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">appropriate credit</a>, provide a link to the license, and&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">indicate if changes were made</a>. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. •NonCommercial&nbsp;— You may not use the material for&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">commercial purposes</a>. •ShareAlike&nbsp;— If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">same license</a>&nbsp;as the original.

Trick/Tip one: If you use Microsoft Suite Products( Powerpoint, Word,Excel, OneNote, etc) or Google Suite Products( Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc) use the accessibility checker.

• For Microsoft Suite products: Before you share/publish your content with students, use the built-in <a href="https://support.office.com/en-us/article/improve-accessibility-with-the-accessibility-checker-a16f6de0-2f39-4a2b-8bd8-5ad801426c7f">accessibility checker </a>to see if your file has any errors in it. •The accessibility checker checks your documents and provides feedback on how to change any errors to make the document more accessible.

Check accessibility feature in Microsoft word on the review ribbon

<a href="https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-check-the-accessibility-of-your-document-9d660cba-1fcd-45ad-a9d1-c4f4b5eb5b7d">How to use the Accessibility Checker in Word Video</a>

<a href="https://prod-video-cms-rt-microsoft-com.akamaized.net/cms/api/am/videofiledata/RWfo4X-tscriptenus?ver=8748">Transcript of video</a>

Caption online videos with the <a href="https://www.kapwing.com/subtitles">Kapwing App.</a>

If you use an online video you have to rely on the captions that come with the video. Sometimes, these video captions from online videos are good and other times they are awful. The problem with online videos is that, unless you were the person who uploaded the video to the online platform ( like youtube), you cannot edit the captions.

How to add subtitles to video online with Kapwing

With Kapwing's&nbsp;Subtitle feature, you can take any video(even if you aren't the one who created it) and add/edit any of the captions.

Click on the auto generate button. Pick a language. Once the captions are generated, you can correct any errors that may exist in the transcription In addition, you can pick the size, color and font of the captions. Once you have your captions the way you want, you simply click on the create button.

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Tip three: Create mp3/ audio files of online websites

<a href="https://www.podcastle.ai/">Podcastle</a> is a chrome extension. Once you install the extension, it converts online articles to audio files. The audio files can be shared via download, web embed or as url link. Podcastle is free to use. Only works on Google Chrome.

Step 1: Open any article and find podcastle in your extensions. Step 2:Click to convert to podcast. Step 3: Enjoy listening to the podcast.

Tip/Trick #4: If you use Microsoft Office Suite products ( PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc), use the accessible templates they provide.

•Microsoft products like PowerPoint have accessible templates built into their system. •If you type the words "accessible templates" in the search box when you enter a Microsoft product, you will get several templates that have the correct color contrast and can be understood by assistive technology, like screen readers. All you have to do is plug in your information.

Accessible authoring tips and updates in Office 365

If you use Google Suite ( Docs, Sheets, Slides), you can use an add-on called <a href="https://www.grackledocs.com/how-to-install/">Grackle.</a>

Grackle Docs Short Overview

The Grackle add-ons allow you to check your documents for accessibility. It will alert you to any errors, and help you make your documents accessible PDFs. <a href="bookcreator://page/jtUsBD-dR4uJp7A-1HAOew">Return to table of contents</a>

<a href="bookcreator://page/rh_RFLTuTo2R6Hem2x-imw">Why Accessibility Matters?</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Hyb_bFKmTLuxZ_teY81eig">How are students with disabilities affected?</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/ZIubIsARTPqJoWSJO9QXQg">Tip one: Use Accessibility Checkers</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/5JlfbI7IRbOMujaLmraZTA">Tip two:Use Dictation Tools for transcripts</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/eJw7aTTtS8KXY7tkEaAWIA">Tip three: Make mp3 files of typed text</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/fFL459J8SPigOchb4C6JKQ">Tip four: Use Accessible Templates</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/lGMGlcrpRra9Wj_A_pu2Xg">Tip five: Use Closed Captioning for Videos</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/v--qWLbiQkCQKpgz46Eh5Q">Tip six: Use Automatic Captions for Presentations</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/338y9hXTSuC0xp94oily2g">Tip seven: Create Auto Descriptions for Videos</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/oDaGRhfrTrSuApJjczHzzw">Tip eight:Use Website Extensions</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/yyCdQb2OQvW11U5LQsFOkQ">Tip nine: Digitize Printed Text with Office Lens</a>

"Now you can record your conversations&nbsp;directly in Word for the web and transcribe&nbsp;them automatically.&nbsp;Transcribe&nbsp;detects different speakers so&nbsp;after&nbsp;you&nbsp;finish recording,&nbsp;you can&nbsp;easily follow the flow of the transcript.&nbsp;After your conversation, you can&nbsp;revisit parts of&nbsp;the recording&nbsp;by playing back&nbsp;the&nbsp;time-stamped&nbsp;audio&nbsp;and&nbsp;you can&nbsp;even edit&nbsp;the&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;if you see something amiss." -<a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/08/25/microsoft-365-transcription-voice-commands-word/">Microsoft Blog</a>&nbsp;

Transcribe

Click on the embedded item box above to see a video that explains how Transcribe in Word works. If you have difficulty with the embedded not opening up, here is the link to the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/videoplayer/embed/RE4DGic">instructional video.</a>

Tip/Trick 5: Use closed captioning with your videos.

Video captions are useful for all students and essential for some students. Research has shown that&nbsp;using captions with videos can make students better readers, however, for students who are deaf, captioning is absolutely essential for understanding content.

Web Accessibility Perspectives: Video Captions

A <a href="https://www.3playmedia.com/2019/10/24/the-impact-of-captions-and-transcripts-on-student-learning/">recent study</a> also found that 42% of students use Closed Captions(CC) to maintain focus. The same study also found test scores increased by 3% with CC. Test scores increased by 8% with interactive transcripts. The captions, therefore, must be quality and must accurately reflect what is being said in the video. If the captioning output is poor, understanding the content becomes very difficult.

Tip/trick 2: Another tool you can use for creating transcripts is a free tool called Web Captioner.

<a href="https://webcaptioner.com/">Web Captioner</a>: Web Captioner is a web-based tool that allows you to create instant captions/transcripts by simply using a mic. Nothing to install. You can choose the language you want the transcript to be in and you can save any transcript as a text file or word file. You can upload this transcript to any LMS(Learning Management System) or website. You can even have another tab opened in your browser and the captioning will still be going on!

If you create your own Youtube videos, you can edit the captions in your video.

If you create your own Youtube videos, first make sure that automatic captions are enabled in your videos. If they are enabled, you are then able to edit the captions that are generated.

How to Edit the Captions on Your YouTube Videos

<a href="https://practicaledtech.com/2019/10/27/easy-ways-to-improve-the-accessibility-of-videos-and-slides-used-in-your-classroom/">From Richard Byrne's blog post</a>

•An accessible information technology environment enhances usability for everyone. •Accessible content can have pictures, colors, video and sound in it. • Many software programs have accessibility features/tools that makes creating accessible content easier.

Tip # 8 Tell your students about free tools that make websites easier to read

As educators, we know that the Internet&nbsp;has revolutionized how we access and gain information.&nbsp;We also know that sometimes we find sites that have relevant information/content on them, but those same pages also contain ads, unrelated videos or pictures. This can be problematic for students as the “extras” distract from the information they are trying to get from the site. There are several free tools that make websites easier to read without the clutter.

1) <a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/3206708/how-to-use-reader-mode-in-safari-11.html">Safari Reader:</a> This is a built-in option for the Safari web browser on Macs and iOS devices(iPhones, iPads), allows students to remove ads and visual clutter on a page. 2) Chrome Browser: The Chrome Browser has several free extension you can use to remove the visual clutter. Some of these extensions include <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mercury-reader/oknpjjbmpnndlpmnhmekjpocelpnlfdi?hl=en">Mercury Reader</a>, <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/just-read/gjadajkmpgdblfochjcfpkhnnkicfapl?hl=en">JustRead</a> and <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/easyreader/boamfheepdiallipiieadpmnklbhadhc?hl=en">Easy Reader.</a> 3) <a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-reader-view-clutter-free-web-pages">Firefox Reader View</a> : If your students use Firefox, the browser comes with a simple Reader View button, that removes all the "extras" 4)<a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/353555/how-to-use-reading-view-in-microsoft-edge/">Microsoft Edge</a>: Microsoft Edge also comes with a built in reading view. The new Edge browser, also comes with <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-immersive-reader-microsoft-edge-chromium">Immersive Reader</a> which will read the websites aloud, while also removing the clutter.

What does it mean to have something be&nbsp;accessible?

Accessible: refers to the&nbsp;concept that individuals&nbsp;with disabilities can&nbsp;access and use a product&nbsp;or system and benefit&nbsp;from its use.

Accessibility is also about every having an open mind and an inclusive attitude. This can change everything.

Comic from: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycyfqesx">https://tinyurl.com/ycyfqesx</a> Toby Morris Illustrator Twitter handle: @XTOTL

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When it comes to content, students need to be able&nbsp;to:&nbsp;

Perceive, understand, navigate and interact

With the content fully to make the information make sense. If they are unable to do so, the content is not&nbsp;digitally accessible.

Common misconceptions surrounding accessibility

•Only people with disabilities benefit from having accessible content. •Making content accessible means that everything has to be boring. •Making content accessible is difficult to do. • Making content accessible means&nbsp;you have to create entirely separate content.

Cartoon shows a janitor shovelling stairs covered with snow. There is a student in a wheel chair asking if he can shovel the ramp. The janitor says that kids are waiting for the stairs so he will clear the stairs first then get the ramp. The child in the wheel chair smartly says "But if you shovel the ramp, we can all get in."  Bottom of the cartoon says clearing a path for people with special needs clears the path for everyone.

Tip/Trick 6: Use the automatic captions options available in your Presentation software.

Did you know that both PowerPoint and Google Slides have automatic captions? They do! You can turn these captions on when you present a presentation. If you use a software that lets you record your screen, the captions will also show up on the recording.

How to Use Automatic Captions in Google Slides

How to Enable Automatic Captioning of PowerPoint Presentations

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Tip 9: Make Digital Copies of your Handwritten Notes or Printed Text for distribution using Office Lens

"Any educator with a mobile phone can put <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/office-lens-for-windows-577ec09d-8da2-4029-8bb7-12f8114f472a">Office Lens,</a> a convenient app that acts as a point-and-shoot document scanner, to good use in their classroom. Office Lens can cut paper clutter by digitizing your classroom, help organize your note taking and make it simple to share documents with students and other educators."-<a href="https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2017/03/3-time-saving-tips-for-office-lens/#:~:text=Any%20educator%20with%20a%20mobile,with%20students%20and%20other%20educators.">Microsoft Education Blog</a>

App is free and available for <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-office-lens-pdf-scan/id975925059">iOS</a>, <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/office-lens/9wzdncrfj3t8?rtc=1&amp;activetab=pivot:overviewtab">Windows</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.officelens&amp;hl=en_US">Google Play</a>

You Can Document The World Around You With Office Lens!

Name

Safari may block some audio or video from playing automatically and ‘read to me’ will skip these. You can configure this in Safari’s preferences.