Distance Learning for the Blind
Web Offers Many Braille Literacy and Career-Building Courses
Nov 10, 2008
One challenge facing blind jobseekers is access to career-building educational materials. An invaluable resource is the Hadley School for the Blind (Winnetka, IL), which offers over 100 online courses free to blind and visually impaired people.
Hadley courses combine relevant content (e.g. Business writing, foreign languages, Excel) with flexible scheduling accessible from any computer; lessons are segmented into manageable steps and include personalized feedback from instructors. Subject matter experts, including those who are blind, create the content. Its latest course is Business Communications
New Hadley Course on Business Communications
Business Communications is a six-lesson course (available in large print, braille, cassette and online) that teaches effective speaking and listening skills and nonverbal techniques. Lessons include:
- Introduction to principles of effective communication
- Basic communication skills
- Group dynamics and workplace diversity
- Working in team situations
- Managing conflict in workplace situations
- Applying advanced communication skills
Hadley serves more than 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and 100 countries.
Podcasts on Accessible Software
Equal Access to Software and Information provides online training on accessible Information Technology for the disabled. Its website podcasts on their website, including, “It's About People, Not Technology,” an interview with Dr. Edith Miller, founder of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, which recognizes academic achievements of disabled students.
APH Braille+ Mobile Manager Tutoring on YouTube
Several tutorials on various functions of the APH Braille+ Mobile Manager, a voice-activated Personal Digital Assistant that includes a braille note-taker, BlueTooth connectivity, and email are available on YouTube. The American Printing House for the Blind website includes eight additional podcasts.
First Online Directory of Disability Law Programs
The American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law has a searchable online directory of accredited law schools offering disability-related curriculum. It’s also a recruiting tool for firms specializing in disability law. The directory also includes information on student organizations for disabled law students, including contact information for all relevant school office.
Accessing PDF Documents with Assistive Technology
Adobe, in conjunction with the American Federation for the Blind, has published “Accessing PDF Documents with Assistive Technology: A Screen Reader User's Guide” which describes how to access PDF documents using JAWS and Window-Eyes screen readers.
NERCVE’s “Sustaining Braille Proficiency”
The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education offers “Sustaining Braille Proficiency,” a self-paced online course designed for professionals to maintain Literary Braille Code skills. The course features a Drill and Practice Brailler allowing braille entry through a standard keyboard with immediate feedback, multimedia review presentations, and the latest Literary Braille Code updates. Cost: $195. Group and student rates are available. Register through the NRCVE website.
Distance learning can increase one’s skill set, demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, and provide a framework to explore and map an effective career path. It is also proving an effective medium for certain types of braille training.
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