TIES09_44

Accessing iLife and iWork for Mac Users with Physical, Reading or Vision Impairments

 * Instructor:** Mark Coppin, Apple Distinguished Educator, Anne Carlsen Center

Participants will learn how to provide access to some of the Apple's most popular iLife and iWork applications. We will explore access issues faced by persons with physical, visual and reading impairments. This hands-on session explores how these issues can be overcome by using some of the built-in Mac accessibility features, AssistiveWare applications such as KeyStrokes, SwitchXS, VisioVoice and GhostReader, and hardware solutions such as HeadMouse and Swifty. The focus will be on enabling users with disabilities to work with creative content, including photos, text and music.
 * Description**

Ross added: This session was an eye opener for using the computer for students and adults with impairments. The new hardware and software can really level the playing field for all people. Here is some additonal information on the Anne Carlsen Center and Mark Coppin:
 * __Anne Carlsen Center__** (ACC) Assistive Technology Director **__Mark Coppin__** has been officially welcomed into a distinguished class of education technology professionals.

Coppin was selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) earlier this year, and joined the renowned ranks of a 700-member group dedicated to advancing access of technology by all in educational settings. He attended the one-week training at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla., this July with the 51 members of his class and about 100 ADE alumni.

“This is one of the most incredible, life-changing experiences in my professional career,” says Coppin, a Hankinson native who joined the Center as a Special Education teacher in 1987. “To be amongst some of the top education professionals in the United States, who are very passionate about education and education technology, and who think outside the box and are truly dedicated to improving education in the United States – it is one of the most incredible experiences that I will have in my life.”

ADEs are selected every two years and are members as long as they remain active in the education and technology communities. The program was established in 1994 by Apple Inc. to identify educators emerging as leaders in the field.

“Through Mark’s recent training, I know he has been energized by the experience –not only with the latest and future technologies presented, but the relationships and collaboration he had with fellow techies,” says Center Chief Operating Officer Marcia Gums. “He already brought us ideas to implement immediately, and he will continue to offer more.”

“Apple is so committed to the educators and truly believes in supporting the educational communities,” says Coppin. “They wanted to recognize those people that are tops in their field. It wasn’t because they wanted to have a show – it was a heartfelt ‘Thank you, we appreciate what you do.’ It was a very electric experience.”

The conference provided ADEs the opportunity to utilize technologies and multimedia in analyzing real-world scenarios and answering problems or questions. Coppin was also able to attend a series of smaller workshops during the week. One such workshop was a conference on digital photography presented by Pulitzer Prize winner Bill Frakes.

“It was incredible to listen to one of the greatest photographers in the world explain how to take your photography to the next level,” says Coppin. “We were able to attend a lot of events that created professional and personal growth.”

“Mark brings us the future,” says Gums. “He pushes us to think about services and technology that will allow greater independence for the people we serve, following in the footsteps of Anne Carlsen’s tradition. He is a creative genius.”

Many of the conference’s projects were supported by the facilities at Full Sail University. The college provided rooms such as its state-of-the-art video and audio booths, a full-scale back lot, green screen rooms and motion ball rooms.

Coppin is already looking forward to the day he can return to the training – this time, as a seasoned alumnus.

“The days were long … but they weren’t,” Coppin says. “We would start at eight in the morning and wouldn’t return to the hotel until at least nine – and some nights not until 11 – but that time flew by. There was so much information and networking going on. It was incredible.”

More information about Coppin’s experience will be posted on the Web at www.annecenter.org. Information about the ADE program is available at http://www.apple.com/nz/education/ade/.

The Anne Carlsen Center offers a rich tradition of empowering individuals with disabilities and their families. Our experienced staff provides compassion, training, services and supports in homes and communities across North Dakota. On our Jamestown, N.D., campus, we meet the educational, residential and therapeutic needs of children and young adults with autism, behavior disorders, medical fragility, and other developmental disabilities.