Accessibility-Motor

Each of the major categories of disabilities requires certain types of adaptations in the design of the web content. Most of the time, these adaptations benefit nearly everyone, not just people with disabilities. Almost everyone benefits from helpful illustrations, properly-organized content and clear navigation. [|Motor]Inability to use a mouse, slow response time, limited fine motor control //The above information was copied from WebAIM//
 * Web 2.0 Accessibility**
 * Motor Disabilities and Podcasting**

Students with motor disabilities face many challenges when using the Internet, or a computer in general. Those lacking fine motor skills, for example, have difficulties typing and using a mouse. Many steps have been taken in the area of speech recognition to enable these students to navigate the computer and the web in a meaningful way. Free web applications like Tazti are available to help students with opening and closing websites, applications, and even make access to sites like Facebook, Google, and iTunes incredibly easy. However, podcasts offer students without access to this software a way to publish content on the Internet quickly and easily.

Podcasts would allow students to share their thoughts with other students in a blog, a wiki, or other social Web 2.0 tool. Instead of typing their blog entries and replies, their comments could be attached as podcasts. This technique could also be used for simple student writings. Instead of using Microsoft Word and a Speech Recognition software, students could read their work in a podcast. Using this Web 2.0 technique as assistive technology would decrease student anxiety about using the computer and Internet based collaborative activities and permit them to share their ideas freely with others. With the simple addition of a webcam, student podcasts can include video as well. These videos can be uploaded directly to the Internet for immediate sharing with the world.

Students could use easily accessible programs like Audacity, Windows Movie Maker, Photostory, or VoiceThread to create products without use of typing or much mouse work. Online podcast resources like Podomatic or PodcastMachine allow users to quickly create podcasts that can then be linked to a blog or wiki for others to listen to. Students with mild motor disabilities in the classroom could be given a choice as to how they would like to publish their work, including a podcast. This Web 2.0 technique gives those students an alternative method to sharing their work and thoughts with others.

[] [] __http://tazti.com/ __
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