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Accessible Christmas gift ideas for 2014

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Looking for that special something for that special someone—a Christmas present that is both accessible and awesome? Look no further than Media Access Australia’s guide on accessible Christmas gift ideas for 2014.

iTunes gift card

iTunes $30, $20 and $50 gift cards

Digital media and technology:

Mobile operating systems

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Education highlights of 2014

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This year we have further explored accessible media and resources available to support students with diverse learning needs.

Apple resting on top of books in front of a blackboard

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Captions supporting students with autism

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Captions are acknowledged as being beneficial for a range of students with diverse learning needs, including Deaf and hearing impaired, English as a Second Language and now a new initiative from Ai-Media in the UK shows how captions support students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Young girl pressing finger down on a tablet device

Taxonomy:

Deaf or hearing impaired

Projects

Captions

Inclusion

Digital media and technology:

Devices

iPad

Smartphones

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3D printers to improve classroom access

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While not traditionally thought of as media, 3D printers are emerging as a new way for students to access learning and information.

Printing head of a FELIX 3D Printer

Increasingly affordable devices can ‘print’ three dimensional objects with computer-based 3D ‘maps’ of everything from chemical compounds, microorganisms, topographical maps, to bodily organs and machine parts.

Taxonomy:

Blind or vision impaired

Equipment

Digital media and technology:

Technologies

Assistive technology

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Interview with Kate Kennedy, winner of the Roma Wood OAM Award at the 2014 Captioning Awards

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Kate Kennedy is the Coordinator, Information and Advocacy for Parents of Deaf Children (PODC).

Kate Kennedy holding the Roma Wood OAM Community Award for captioning. Left to right: David Brady, Roma Wood, Kate Kennedy, Andrew Stewart, Alex Varley

Taxonomy:

Deaf or hearing impaired

Captions

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National Curriculum Review and inclusiveness

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Commentary by Anne McGrath, Education Manager, Media Access Australia

The education community has been anticipating the Australian Government’s newly released Review of the Australian Curriculum. The Review is well considered, comprehensive in nature and holds interest for all teachers, including those who work with students with disability and diverse learning needs.

Teacher pointing at mathematics questions on a projector screen in a classroom

Taxonomy:

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

Captions

Inclusion

Equipment

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Dedicated television channel for primary school children with captions

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A partnership between Ai-Media and Discovery Kids will culminate in the launching of Australia’s only television channel dedicated to primary school education with 100% captioned content, on Foxtel on 3 November.

Kari Byron standing next to Discovery Kids logo

Taxonomy:

Deaf or hearing impaired

Captions

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Ai-Media trials live captioning in UK schools

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The Australian-based access company Ai-Media, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the UK charity Nesta, has been working on a project which looks at the benefits of real-time captioning and transcriptions in British classrooms.

35 primary school teachers have taken part in the project, which is called the Visible Classroom and is being funded by the Education Endowment Foundation. They have had real-time captions provided by Ai-Media which are streamed onto an electronic whiteboard or tablets during lessons, and afterwards children are able to read the transcripts.

In an earlier trial of the system in Australia, it was found that the captions also benefited non-Deaf students, and allowed teachers to review their professional practice. The UK project is producing similar results.

Taxonomy:

Deaf or hearing impaired

Captions

Inclusion

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Finding your way around our updated education website content

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The education section of our website has a new menu structure, with an increased level of content and information to assist teachers and parents.

There are three main categories that provide focused points of reference: accessible media for diverse learners, hearing impairment and deafness and low vision and blindness.

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NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships awarded

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On Saturday 30 August, 22 teachers were awarded NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships across a range of subject areas and disciplines at Parliament House, Sydney. Media Access Australia’s Education Manager was among them.

Our Education Manager, Anne McGrath also works as an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf with the Catholic Education Office, Sydney. McGrath was awarded the 2014 Premier's IOOF Centre for Educational and Medical Research Itinerant Support Teacher (Hearing) Scholarship by the Premier, Mike Baird, and the NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli.

Taxonomy:

Itinerant Teacher of The Deaf

Deaf or hearing impaired

Classroom Access Project