AbilityNet News

Telecentres Europe Summit – Istanbul October 2009
AbilityNet handed over resources and materials to support the growth of accessible telecentres across Europe at the TE Summit in Istanbul. Recognising the critical relationship between accessibility and employability and citizenship for people with a disability, AbilityNet look forward to working closely with centres throughout the coming months
Further details about Telecentres Europe can be found at http://telecentreeurope.ning.com/
SEN London 2009 – 16/17 October
AbilityNet had a stand at SEN London in Islington on Friday and Saturday. There were a wide mix of exhibitors including ICT,   3D projection teaching systems, immersive environments and much more.  Attendees included teachers, specialist teachers, speech and language therapists, parents and oversees SEN specialists. These last were very interested in looking at  UK models of SEN support and delivery and we made several useful contacts with colleagues across the world.
Schools and parents enjoyed playing with the EEE Top (the Asus all in one touch screen for under £420) and some vibrating switches using the software on the Access Fun and Access AT pendrives. AbilityNet and Accessible Futures gave a joint talk on BSF (Building Schools for the Future) to a mixed audience of UK and foreign educationalists who were interested in the possibilities BSF could offer their SEN pupils such as symbol supported virtual learning environments, alternatives to keyboard logging on and ICT in the outdoors at school.
Free AT and AAC Assessments
30 free AT and AAC Assessments for children as part of the Innovative Projects grant from Becta we will be delivering 30 free AT and AAC (Assistive and Augmentative Communication) assessments for children. We will aim to work with local Speech and Language therapists, teachers, parents and Occupational Therapists where appropriate to provide the assessment. Please circulate this information to the Speech and Language teams, special schools and other relevant people within the LEA. Each request will be evaluated to ascertain that we can meet the needs of the child. To request an assessment jo.greenwell@abilitynet.org.uk
Access News
Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design
Free e-book for developers and designers on creating accessible services and products.
Interview with Victor Tsaran
Accessibility Manager at Yahoo
Webaim review of Google Wave
Verdict: Not good
W3 launches new site
And it looks good
Keyboard accessibility
Slides from Patrick H Lauke's talk at FOWD 2009
Password unmasking
Jeremy Keith takes a look
Best of YouTube
Do You See Me?
The Early Development Network (EDN) provides services for children birth through age three who are not developing typically or who have been diagnosed with a health condition that will affect their development
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu6YPYZxmD8
VoiceOver Challenge
Experience a screenreader on your iPhone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKhDuhrhp1c
Impulse EMG switch with Bluetooth In Use
Watch as an individual with ALS uses the Impulse EMG switch from AbleNet, Inc. to control his computer for communication and mobility
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yg999cscV0
All of these and many more can be found on the AbilityNet YouTube channel www.youtube.com/abilitynet. 
What’s Hot on Twitter @AbilityNet #Accessibility
Google launches new Accessibility web site: http://www.google.com/accessibility/
Understanding the habits of your Website visitors just a little bit more - http://bit.ly/4b9T7T
AAC Institute self study now available again http://bit.ly/21NeC6
The successful IT company that only employs people with Autism: http://bit.ly/2s9wHM
Special Offers
E-learning
1 year access to AbilityNet elearning – only £35 per user + VAT
Go to www.abilitynettraining.org for details
Stimulate your Team with ICT Innovation Days
Get your team to look ahead and think about how access technology is going to change during the next 5 years – how will access be happening and what will be the impact. These interactive and hands on days are extremely popular in helping with planning and diversity. Contact David Banes at david.banes@abilitynet.org.uk for further details
Request a free HiSoftware Compliance Sheriff™ accessibility scan
HiSoftware Compliance Sheriff™ is an enterprise accessibility validation solution that scans your Web site for over 172 separate issues and delivers the results in a powerful online report.
Request your free HiSoftware Compliance Sheriff™ accessibility check today.
Need an accessibility speaker for event or workshop ?
Let us know if you would like us to try to speak at your events – we can deliver onsite or remotely across video conferencing email david.banes@abilitynet.org.uk for further details
Courses
The Autumn Course programme is released
Accessibility in Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007
Investigating accessibility within the Operating system and Office Applications
More information and booking for Accessibility in Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 course
Effective Assessment of Problems at Computer Workstations
Helping those involved in workstation assessments respond effectively
More information and booking for Effective Assessment of Problems at Computer Workstations course
Using ICT to Support People with Dyslexia
Use technology to help those who have reading and writing difficulties
More information and booking for Using ICT to Support People with Dyslexia course
And there’s MORE
Stay in Touch with AbilityNet
Come find us at a number of events in the next few weeks...
ATVET Dissemination event
Brussels Oct 21 2009
David Banes will be attending the event and looks forward to meeting anyone in the networks
Access IT 2009
Technology World 09
23rd and 24th Nov, 2009
Venue: Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK
AbilityNet will be on stand 56 come and find us
Across the Web
Join our daily Twitter channel @abilitynet
Join our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/abilitynet
Read our regular Blog www.abilitynet.org.uk/blog
Join GATE The Global Assistive Technology Encyclopedia 
Podcast No 8 Released 
Our latest podcast is now available  – contents include
•  AbilityNet’s recent Accessibility2.0 ‘A Million Flowers Bloom’ conference
• Review of www.bubbl.us free mind-mapping tool and the capture screen facility in Windows
• Item on the recent Access–IT Awards event
• Web accessibility news roundup
• An introductory item to Twitter
• Events for your diary
It's available for free from www.abilitynet.org.uk/podcast or via iTunes
AbilityNet is a registered charity, you can donate here now