Utilizing UDL + AT in College & Work Environments. Linda Bessmer & Carl Franklin, Ph.D. Muses3, LLC

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1 Utilizing UDL + AT in College & Work Environments Linda Bessmer & Carl Franklin, Ph.D. Muses3, LLC

2 What is Read&Write GOLD? o RWG is a software toolbar that levels the playing field for individuals needing support with reading and writing activities at home, school, and/or work. o Texthelp s Read&Write technology is available for PCs, Macs, ipads, and Chromebooks under a range of licensing options. 2

3 Read&Write GOLD Toolbars o Reading Tools provide text-to-speech and reading supports to aid comprehension. o Writing Tools promote independence when composing papers and memos. 3

4 Read&Write GOLD Toolbars o Research and Study Skills Tools help users extract and organize information. o Custom toolbar options include different icon sets, large icons, and icons with text. 4

5 UDL Principles* o Equitable Use o Flexibility in Use o Simple and Intuitive Use o Perceptible Information o Tolerance for Error o Low Physical Effort o Size and Space for Approach and Use o Community of Learners o Instructional Climate *McGuire, J. M., Scott, S. S., & Shaw, S. F. (2006). Universal design and its applications educational environments. Remedial & Special Education, 27(3),

6 Equitable Use o An unlimited site license makes RWG available to all students, staff, and faculty for home and campus use. An individual license covers home, school, and work use. o Accessible talking ebooks can be created and distributed to students. o RWG makes workplace PDFs accessible and customizable. o RWG is curriculum and workplace independent; it facilitates access to common applications such as Internet browsers, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Reader. 6

7 Flexibility in Use o Users can change the voice, reading speed, text highlighting, and background colors. o Word prediction allows users to train RWG to predict the next word they might use. Customized lists can be created for specialized fields like STEM. o The Picture Dictionary displays images of unfamiliar words. o Speech maker creates portable audio files for playback on smartphones, tablets, desktops, etc. o The RWG toolbar can be docked, floating, or hidden. 7

8 Simple & Intuitive Use o The toolbar uses easily comprehensible icons with tooltips. o Video tutorials are available for all features. o RWG provides auditory and visual feedback when used for reading and writing. o Fact Finder/Fact Mapper assist writers in researching and organizing information. o RWG does not require translation into a special format such as KESI (but can read KESI files). 8

9 Perceptible Information o Dual, synchronous highlighting makes it easy to follow text-to-speech conversion. o Font size may be increased or decreased. o Web highlighting helps the reader track online text. o Speech Maker converts digital text to an audio file for learning or work on the go. o Voice Notes make it easy to answer questions or insert comments into documents. 9

Tolerance for Error o Dictionary, Translator, Phonetic Spell Checker, Homophone/Confusable Checker, Word Prediction, Vocabulary List Builder, Word Cloud, and Verb Checker help improve reading and

10 Tolerance for Error o Dictionary, Translator, Phonetic Spell Checker, Homophone/Confusable Checker, Word Prediction, Vocabulary List Builder, Word Cloud, and Verb Checker help improve reading and writing skills. o Writers are given multiple ways to recognize mistakes, which then can be easily corrected. o Definitions, suggestions, and examples are available to help users easily make corrections in Word, Pages, or Google Docs. 10

11 Low Physical Effort o Keyboard controls help individuals who cannot use a mouse (HotKeys like Ctrl-Alt-Q). o Speech Input allows students to write a paper without using the keyboard. o RWG reads Dragon Naturally Speaking recognized text. o Voice Notes answer questions without typing. 11

12 Size and Space for Use o The USB version makes customized tools available at home, school, and/or work. o RWG may be installed on tablets, laptops, and desktops; it also supports cloud computing with Google Docs. o The unlimited site license allows a postsecondary institution to make copies for student use at home. 12

13 Community of Learners o Educator resources are available online to share strategies and ideas. (Checkout the TexthelpSystemsUS channel on YouTube.) o Technical support is available via web, phone, and online. o Training on advanced features such as Teachers Toolkit is available from Texthelp and Muses3, LLC. o Social media are excellent resources for networking with/among users (follow TexthelpUS on Facebook & Twitter). 13

o RWG does not require teachers or managers to lower expectations.

14 Instructional Climate o Instructors and bosses have the opportunity to adapt RWG to the needs of a department. o RWG does not require teachers or managers to lower expectations. It empowers students and employees to meet challenges. o RWG helps users become more independent than ever before. 14

15 Hands-On Examples o Syllabus (HTML): o Employee Handbook (Simple PDF): k.pdf o Blueprint (Inaccessible JPG): /Wright_Plans/Wright_Plans_images/1903_Flyer_Blue prints_plate_1.jpg o Annual Report (Complex PDF, p. 13): AR.pdf 15

Ready for a RWG Test Drive? o Texthelp offers a 30-day free trial. o Go to www.texthelp.

16 Ready for a RWG Test Drive? o Texthelp offers a 30-day free trial. o Go to and choose: Read&Write Gold for PC Read&Write Gold for Mac Read&Write Gold for Google Read&Write Web Apps o Contact Linda Bessmer for a presentation or price quote by phone at or via at linda@muses3.com. 16

Read&Write Gold is a software application and can be downloaded in Macintosh or PC version directly from https://download.uky.edu

Read&Write Gold is a software application and can be downloaded in Macintosh or PC version directly from https://download.uky.edu UK 101 - READ&WRITE GOLD LESSON PLAN I. Goal: Students will be able to describe features of Read&Write Gold that will benefit themselves and/or their peers. II. Materials: There are two options for demonstrating