Education

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Hearing Awareness Week approaches with the promise of resources for teachers

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Hearing Awareness Week (HAW), which runs from 24th to 30th August, provides a focus for all things relating to hearing health and access, and will be of special benefit for teachers who work with students who are Deaf or have hearing loss and their classmates. The activities, resources and discussion opportunities provide an encouraging environment and a reminder that there is a lot of support for teachers to improve and sustain accessible teaching practice throughout the year.

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.


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Vision Education Scoping Report

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.


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Ai-Media expansion to benefit education and business

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Access provider Ai-Media has expanded its operations to Melbourne as part of growing its national and global operations in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and London.

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.


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Audio description in the classroom

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.


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Ways to access the curriculum for students who are blind or have low vision

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:

Taxonomy: 

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Technology for learning at home

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.

Taxonomy: 

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Technology for students who are blind or have low vision

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.


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Teacher information (vision)

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.


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Policy and expectations

Australia

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.


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