The resources referenced in my CUS/AACRL Best Practices Mini-Session presentation, Five Things to Know About Online Conferencing for Reference & Instruction, are listed below. They are also available via the Diigo collaborative bookmarking site: mbfortson’s alla2012mini Bookmarks on Diigo.

You can find a copy of the presentation slides here: Five Things to Know About Online Conferencing for Reference & Instruction. If this document is not accessible to you, please contact me so I can get the slides to you in a format that is.

Feel free to contact me via the “connect” links or the comments below, and thanks again for visiting!

I’m doing it

Enterprise Instant Messaging | Blackboard Collaborate

“Blackboard Collaborate™ enterprise instant messaging capabilities (formerly Wimba Pronto) allow your academic institution to create a learning network to support office hours, school services, meetings and desktop video conferencing—all initiated through presence and instant messaging.”

Your colleagues are doing it

Conference Presentations | Fifteenth Distance Library Services Conference

Presentation descriptions and materials from the  Fifteenth Distance Library Services Conference, held April 18-20, 2012 in Memphis, TN. The sessions I referenced in my presentation are:

Blackboard IM for Virtual Reference Service

Yingqi Tang
Jodi Poe
Jacksonville State University

Blackboard IM (formerly Wimba Pronto) is an instant messaging platform that is designed to promote collaborative learning. It has been used by more than 200 academic institutions. The purpose of this presentation is to outline the development of a Blackboard IM library information desk for virtual reference service in an academic library.

Real Time With the Librarian: Using Web Conferencing Software to Connect to Distance Students

Tom Riedel
Paul Betty
Regis University

Attendees will learn tips and strategies for being the sole presenter in an online web conference environment. While the presentation will make specific references to the Adobe Connect software, the overall discussion of best practices, challenges, and outcomes will be applicable to the use of any web conferencing software. Attendees will leave with an enhanced understanding of current web conferencing software functionality and methods for conducting seamless online presentations.

Table for One – How Librarians Provide Individualized Services to Distance Students via Web Conferencing

Shelley Arvin, Indiana State University
Anthony Kaiser, University of Central Missouri
Heidi Steiner, Norwich University
Anne Barnhart, University of West Georgia
Julie Arnold Lietzau, University of Maryland University College
Sandra Lee Hawes, Saint Leo University

Learn about opportunities surrounding implementation of individual virtual library instruction and reference assistance to students using Web conferencing software. Discussion will highlight how the panelists approach this unique form of virtual reference, the differences in their strategies successes and difficulties encountered, and assessment methods used. Panelists address software choices, student populations, targeted scheduling, advertisement, faculty collaboration, assessment, and visions for future services. Discover a variety of methods that may work at your library!

Selected Articles

Barnhart, Anne C, and Andrea G. Stanfield. “When Coming to Campus Is Not an Option: Using Web Conferencing to Deliver Library Instruction.” Reference Services Review. 39.1 (2011): 58-65. WorldCat.

Hawes, Sandra L. “Playing to Win: Embedded Librarians in Online Classrooms.” Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning. 5 (2011): 56-66. WorldCat.

Lietzau, J.A, and B.J Mann. “Breaking Out of the Asynchronous Box: Using Web Conferencing in Distance Learning.” Journal of Library and Information Services in Distance Learning. 3 (2009): 108-119. WorldCat.

Reeves, L.A.. “Piloting synchronous online reference services with Elluminate vClass.” Internet Reference Services Quarterly. 10.2 (2005): 19-33. Publisher.

Steiner, Heidi. “Bridging Physical and Virtual Reference with Virtual Research Consultations.” Reference Services Review. 39.3 (2011): 439-450. WorldCat.

You can do it

I mentioned join.me, Google+ Hangouts, and Skype during the session. The Presenting/Web Conferencing page of the UIU-C Learning Objects LibGuide lists others, as do the articles listed above.

There are lots of additional resources

You found some on this page! I hope you’ll add others in the comments below.

The resources referenced in my presentation, Doing More for Less: Windows and Mac Accessibility Features, are listed below. They are also available via the Diigo collaborative bookmarking site: mbfortson’s alla2012 Bookmarks on Diigo.

You can find a copy of the presentation slides here: Doing More for Less: Windows and Mac Accessibility Features. If this document is not accessible to you, please contact me so I can get the slides to you in a format that is.

Feel free to contact me via the “connect” links or the comments below, and thanks again for visiting!

Mac OS X

From Apple:

OS X | Apple

OS X product home.

Accessibility | Apple

Apple’s Accessibility page. Offers information about assistive technology options included as standard features in Apple products and links to product-specific accessibility information.

Hearing | OS X | Accessibility | Apple

“OS X Lion includes a variety of features that can make using the Mac easier for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

Literacy and Learning | OS X | Accessibility | Apple

“Users with cognitive and learning disabilities can benefit from many built-in features in OS X Lion, including ways to simplify the Finder, provide integrated information reference tools, assist with spelling and grammar, and much more.”

Physical and Motor Skills | OS X | Accessibility | Apple

“OS X provides built-in and assistive technologies that can help you navigate your computer even if you have difficulties using the keyboard, mouse, and trackpad.”

Vision | OS X | Accessibility | Apple

“OS X comes with a variety of assistive technologies to help those with vision disabilities, including a built-in screen reader, screen and cursor magnification, high-contrast settings, and more.”

Accessibility Resources | Apple

Community resources, third-party solutions, and accessibility standards resources. Also offers downloadable Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (PDF format) that describe how specific Apple products and services address Section 508 Guidelines.

Special Education | Apple in Education | Apple

This Apple in Education page offers information about universal access features. Some iPod and iPhone information may also be applicable to the iPad.

Universal Access | OS X Lion | Apple

“Every Mac comes standard with a wide range of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities enjoy the power and simplicity of the Mac. We call this Universal Access, and it includes many features you won’t find in other operating systems at any price. In OS X, they’re built right in.”

Other resources:

ATMac

From the site: “This website covers all Apple products with a slant towards disability. This website is about users with a disability, adaptive and assistive technology, and making accessible programs and content.”

The Mac-cessibility Network

“The Mac-cessibility Network is devoted to connecting, compiling, and providing easy access to the best resources for blind, visually impaired, and other disability groups using Apple products. It is maintained by a dedicated group of visually impaired volunteers, who are Apple enthusiasts themselves.”

Mac OS X News, Videos, Reviews and Gossip | Lifehacker

Lifehacker posts tagged with mac os x.

TUAW | The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Apple “news, information and analysis.”

Accessibility Articles on TUAW

Articles tagged with accessibility on TUAW, The Unofficial Apple Weblog.

Assistivetechnology Articles on TUAW

Articles tagged with assistivetechnology on TUAW, The Unofficial Apple Weblog.

Microsoft Windows 7

From Microsoft:

Windows 7 | Microsoft

Windows 7 product home.

Accessibility in Windows 7

Windows 7 accessibility overview from Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone.

Accessibility in Windows 7 Fact Sheet (PDF)

“Windows 7 includes accessibility options and programs that make it easier to see, hear, and use your computer including ways to personalize your PC.”

Accessibility | Windows 7 features | Microsoft Windows

Windows 7 accessibility features from Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

Microsoft’s accessibility “hub” offers product information, demonstrations, tutorials, guides, news and articles, links to Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers, and more.

Demos of Accessibility in Windows 7 | Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

“Video demos that show the accessibility features of Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8.”

Windows 7 Accessibility Tutorials | Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

“Learn how to use the accessibility features of Windows 7.”

Microsoft Top 7 Accessibility Tips | YouTube

“Learn about the Top 7 accessibility tips in products like Windows 7, Office 2010 and Internet Explorer.” From MSFT Enable.

Windows Accessibility | Microsoft Windows

“Find out how accessibility options in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP make your PC easier to use.”

Other resources:

Accessible Computer Training | T.A.S.C.

“Computer technology training modules specifically targeted for people with developmental disabilities and related conditions” for Technology Assistance for Special Consumers (T.A.S.C.), a program of United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley. Includes 9 Microsoft Accessibility modules to help users “learn how to change the Microsoft Operating System to make the computer easier to use.”

Enabling accessibility | Building Windows 8 | MSDN Blogs

Offers a preview of “accessibility improvements in Windows 8.”

How to Create Accessible Microsoft Office Files | ProfHacker | The Chronicle of Higher Education

“Microsoft Office files are the predominant document types handled by individuals in both academia and the corporate world. Files with .doc/docx, .ppt/pptx, and .xls/xlsx are a proprietary format, so how can you guarantee the accessibility of these files when sharing with others?”

Lifehacker’s Complete Guide to Windows 7 | Lifehacker

Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint | AccessAbility

Microsoft Office accessibility resources from Penn State’s AccessAbility.

Videos

The presentation included these videos:

Everything I can’t do in the real world I can do with my Mac

Introduction to Universal Access in Mac OS X | Tech-Ease

Microsoft Top 7 Accessibility Tips | YouTube

Using Narrator the basic screen reading tool built into MS Windows

Windows 7 Magnifier Demonstration

Windows 7 Speech Recognition

Bonus: Browser Accessibility

Chrome

Making Google Accessible

Using Google products (How to use accessibility features); Resources for developers and publishers (APIs, captioning, and standards); Advocacy and ADA work (Open standards and 508 documents).

Using Google products: How to use accessibility features

“In this section, we go over the accessibility features of our products for 2 groups of people: Blind & low-vision users; Deaf & hard of hearing users.” Includes information about Chrome browser assistive technology support.

Firefox

Accessibility | How to | Firefox Help

“Firefox includes many features to make the browser and web content accessible to all users, including those who have low vision, no vision, or limited ability to use a keyboard or mouse.”

Access Firefox

“Accessibility tools and resources for Firefox end users with disabilities (primarily visual impairments); Firefox introductory materials for those new to Firefox, or curious about it; Firefox tips and guides for all Firefox users (from beginners to power users).”

Internet Explorer

Accessibility in Internet Explorer 9 | Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

“Windows Internet Explorer 9 includes accessibility options to help all users, including those with disabilities, move around the Internet easier, see webpages more clearly, and access information quicker.”

As a companion to my ALLA/AACRL Best Practices Mini-Session, Access to Electronic Resources for Patrons with Disabilities, I’ve compiled this collection of resources for those who would like to learn more about library services and people with disabilities. The list is hardly exhaustive, but I hope it will provide interested persons with a good start. The links are also available via the Diigo collaborative bookmarking site: mbfortson’s alla_access Bookmarks on Diigo.

Those seeking additional information on library services and people with disabilities may be interested in Crash Course in Library Access & People with Disabilities and other posts in the blog’s “Disability” category.

Feel free to contact me via the “connect” links or the comments below, and thanks again for visiting!

28 C.F.R. § 35.160-164 | Electronic Code of Federal RegulationsReferenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

28 C.F.R. § 36.303 | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

Accessibility of Online Library Information for People with Disabilities (PDF) | Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology

“This article seeks to determine the extent to which the library profession addresses the need of people with disabilities for accessibly designed online resources—by reviewing the professional library literature for coverage of this issue, by summarizing empirical accessibility studies, and by analyzing pertinent policies adapted by libraries and their
professional organizations.”

Accessibility of Online Resources in Academic Libraries

Presented by Axel Schmetzke & Suzanne Byerley at the 11th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education Conference, Nov. 11-14, 2008.

Accessibility to Library Databases and Other Online Library Resources for People with Disabilities | ASCLA Wiki

From the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a page “for sharing information among library employees about accessibility of library databases and other online resources.” Includes information about specific vendors and strategies for/experiences of evaluating resources.

AccessLibraries | DO-IT

DO-IT = “Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology.” Includes presentation materials for “Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries,” a training program to help library staff and volunteers “become more aware of the issues, needs and concerns of people with disabilities in accessing electronic resources.”

Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All | ALA

Online edition of Mates, B. T., Wakefield, D., & Dixon, J. M. (2000). Adaptive technology for the Internet: Making electronic resources accessible to all. Chicago: American Library Association.

ALA Policy Manual | ALA

Includes the section referenced in the “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution,” 54.3.2 (“Library Services for People with Disabilities.)

Americans with Disabilities Act | ADA.gov

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

Computers in Libraries 21 (9) | Information Today

Introduction to How People with Disabilities Use the Web | WAI

Provides examples of people with different disabilities access online content. Includes scenarios, examples of the barriers encountered by web users with specific disabilities, and specific assistive technologies and access strategies.

Library Hi Tech 20(2) | Emerald

“Special Issue: Accessibility of web-based information resources for people with disabilities.”

Library Hi Tech 20(4) | Emerald

“Special Issue: Accessibility of web-based information resources for people with disabilities: part 2.”

Library Hi Tech 25(4) | Emerald

“Special Issue: Special Sections on Accessibility and OPAC.”

Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy | ASCLA

Further information on the section of the ALA Policy Manual referenced in the “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution,” 54.3.2 (“Library Services for People with Disabilities”).

Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution | ALA Connect

Text of resolution passed at the 2009 ALA Conference. The resolution posted here is in .doc format; it is available as a .pdf file via the ACRL website (URL: http://www.acrl.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/referenceab/colresolutions/PDFs/electronicresources.pdf).

Resolution of Principles for Digital Content (PDF) | ALA

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

Schmetzke Web Accessibility Survey Homepage

Axel Schmetzke’s “clearinghouse for studies involving the collection of accessibility data pertaining to web sites and online resources in education, particularly in higher education.” Includes research studies and vendor-supplied information on the accessibility of online library catalogs, indexes, and databases.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act | Section508.gov

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

Section 508 Standards | Section508.gov

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”

Software Accessibility, Usability Testing, and Individuals with Disabilities | ITD Journal

“This paper reports on a collaborative project between a university and technology corporation that explored computer software usability and accessibility with older adults and individuals who have disabilities, some of whom use assistive technology. The project history and overall goals are described. In addition, the methods and results from usability/accessibility studies involving individuals with visual impairments, people with mobility impairments, and older adults are presented. The implications of these findings are discussed relative to the notion that in order for information technology products to be considered “usable” (i.e., efficient and easy to learn and use), they should be universally designed to meet a wide range of user needs, with or without the use of assistive tech.. Suggestions for future research, as well as for promoting the consideration of the needs of consumers with disabilities during product design, development, and usability testing are also discussed. ”

Testing More Than ALT Text- Techniques for Testing Usability and Accessibility (PDF)

“Conducting usability studies with participants who use assistive technology requires some non-traditional techniques. The complexities of the systems, and poor accessibility on the Web today make doing these studies imperative but challenging. Based on many sessions with participants with disabilities, this paper includes insights and practical tips for managing
planning, recruiting for, and facilitating these studies.”

Think Accessible | ASCLA

An ASCLA toolkit designed to increase awareness regarding the purchasing of products that are accessible to people with disabilities. Includes guidelines and checklists to help ensure usability for patrons with disabilities.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 | W3C

Referenced in the ALA “Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution.”