HAW has activities planned around the country. To start the ball rolling is the Australian Hearing Hub Open House this Saturday 23rd August, to raise awareness about healthy hearing and the services available at the Australian Hearing Hub.
In 2013, Media Access Australia undertook a study of vision education services to explore the wide range of issues faced by students who are blind or have low vision in Australian schools.
The study is a comprehensive review of the information and media needs of students who are blind or have low vision and the services offered within the public, Catholic and independent sectors. The report was produced through extensive consultation with service providers and support staff who generously gave their expertise.
Ai-Media CEO Tony Abrahams said he was “delighted to be able to additionally service our broadcast, education, corporate and government clients from this dynamic city”.
The provision of captions via speech-to-text in the classroom, workplace, at conferences and in meetings has increased access to information and services for people with hearing impairment and other needs. This access affords people the opportunity to participate fully and make equitable contributions in their chosen fields or places of learning.
Audio description is an audio track of narration which describes the visual elements of a video or performance. It is an essential access tool for people who are blind or have low vision, and is growing in availability around the world.
Below is an audio described scene from The Hunger Games.
Students who are blind or have low vision need technology, media and teacher instruction to be accessible so they can have access to teaching and learning.
Below is a list of the media types most common in schools and tips for providing more access for students who are blind or have low vision:
Although most students who are blind or have low vision receive some support at school, it can be a challenge for parents to replicate this support at home. There are a number of technologies which help students keep on track with homework for little or no expense.
People who are blind or have low vision rely on a broad range of software tools and devices to read, learn and work.
Most people own assistive technology without even knowing it. Most computers, smartphones and tablets for sale in Australia already have screen readers, screen magnifiers and other tools for blind and low vision users installed. You simply have to go into the menu on your device and turn them on.
It is vital that teachers with students who are blind or have low vision in their classrooms can create an equitable educational environment through the use of accessibility practices.
Access to media and technology is key to improving learning outcomes for students who are blind or have low vision.
One of the key aims of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is ‘to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability.’ The Australian Human Rights Commission has published a guide to assist the general public.
