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In the future,
We expect a number of these tools and strategies to be
incorporated into standard websites and curriculum. In fact, the National
Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard authorized in IDEA
2004 is coordinating efforts with publishers to produces standardized
files that will allow creation of student-ready alternate-format
versions of core textbooks. Individual states have also taken action.
For instance, Maryland requires that all technology meet the federal
criteria for accessibility and California Law requires publisher
websites to meet
accessibility guidelines by 2005 with additional software access by
2009. (Ed.
Code Section 60061.8) Google
is scanning hundreds of thousands of books from university libraries,
creating searchable digital text versions.
Publisher websites will:
- Provide text that can be read aloud by the computer
- Provide enhanced text
- Link text to a range of resources
Operating systems will:
- Provide easy, global, built-in text to speech capacity
Currently:
- Prentice
Hall, Holt, Glencoe Science and
others are creating
online, interactive forms of their textbooks.
- McDougal Littell
Inc. Reading Coach CD
- allows students to use an electronic highlighter (they
can change the color of it) when they read.
- includes electronic text for parts of the Bridges to
Literature textbook.
- allows the creation of 'sticky notes' that are like post-its.
- offers audio support for pre-selected vocabulary words,
reading the word and the definition.
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