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Electronic information accessibility tips, tricks and trainings. April 2019, Issue IV
 Retired DNR employee, Daryl Gross, in his office at Sakatah Lake State Park.
Handheld technology aided former employee’s work
When Daryl Gross imagines words, they are correct. It’s when he goes to write them down that the problems begin.
Gross, who is a retired employee of the Department of Natural Resources, has dysgraphia. Like dyslexia, which affects the ability to read, dysgraphia affects the ability to write.
“I see the word in my mind, but I cannot write it,” Gross said. “You focus so hard on trying to figure out the word that you cannot do it.”
For a short time, Gross used Dragon NaturallySpeaking. The program uses voice commands to dictate what the user wants written down, as well as other features. Gross said the program didn’t work well for him because he shared an office with a coworker who would think Gross was speaking to her, and there was a good amount of background noise at Sakatah Lake State Park where he worked.
“Especially if you were trying to do something on weekends, it’s overwhelming with noise,” he said, adding that he used the program a while ago and the technology might be better now.
So when Gross got an iPhone in 2010, he took matters into his own hands. He would use talk-to-text in the Notes app and then re-type that information into the computer.
“That is how I survived until I retired,” Gross said. “After I see it, I can write it.”
Gross used this method for whatever needed to be written down in the office or out in the field – supply lists, notes, year-end reports, and more.
Technology will ultimately make it so people with disabilities don’t have to work harder than someone without, Gross said.
“Things have come a long ways and things are going to come a whole lot further in the future, too – when it gets there, it will put people like me on an even playing field,” he said. “I never thought I could do as good as I can do back when I was a kid fighting and struggling so hard.”
-- Maggie Stanwood, information officer, Operations Services Division
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is Thursday, May 16
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated every year to get people thinking and talking about digital accessibility and users with disabilities.
Mark the day by participating in one of these events:
Fix-it Clinic
10:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Central Office Gallery. Skype option available.
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Open house. Walk-in or Skype-in with your accessibility questions.
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Demos. See how to fix common errors, write alt text, etc.
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Stump the expert. Bring your most challenging accessibility conundrum.
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Accessibility Awareness Table
11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Central Office Cafeteria.
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Screen reader demos. Experience what it's like to use a screen reader. Can't make it in person? Watch this video demo.
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Colorblindness simulation. View how people who are colorblind see the world.
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No Mouse Challenge. Can you perform your regular job for 15 minutes using only your keyboard? Many people with mobility disabilities can't use a mouse. Download or pick up this keyboard shortcuts guide to help you. Earn a sticker and a treat for trying.
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Tip cards. Pick up tip cards on making your documents accessible. Or download the electronic version of the cards.
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How to get an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter for your event or meeting
The DNR provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities at meetings, events, trainings or conferences. If someone requests an ASL interpreter, follow these steps:
- Get a quote from any vendor on the Sign Language Interpreting and Related Services Master Contract.
- Provide the vendor with the date, time, duration, and location of the event. They will then be able to give you a quote for the cost of the service and their cancellation policy.
- For longer meetings and events, you may be required to hire two ASL interpreters. The vendor will let you know how many interpreters you need when they provide a quote.
- Work with your OAS to create a purchase order.
- Generally, ASL interpretation is paid for by your division. For an employment applicant, the service is paid through Human Resources.
- Send the purchase order to the vendor.
- Contact the requestor to confirm the arrangements. Ask them to let you know if their plans change prior to the last date to cancel with the vendor.
- The DNR tracks the number of times an ASL interpreter is used and the cost. For a public event, send a copy of the purchase order to Melinda Anderson, ADA Title II Coordinator. For an internal event, send to Sarah Spence-Koivisto, ADA Title I Coordinator.
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 Emojis just got more inclusive
Are you an emoji user? Watch for new accessibility-related emojis debuting soon, Examples include a deaf person, a person with a probing cane, a guide dog, and a wheelchair.
If you do use emojis, here are some accessibility best practices for your texts and tweets. They come to us from the easterseals blog.
- Try to use no more than three emojis per message.
- Place important information or calls to actions before the emoji.
- Don't place emojis throughout your message.
Why? When screen readers read an emoji out loud, it gives it a description. "Smiling face with sunglasses." "Disappointed face." "Nerdy face with thick horn-rimmed glasses and buck teeth." A few of these can be entertaining, but getting through many can be tiresome.
Resources
Upcoming Trainings
- Accessibility 101/Microsoft Word - Fri, May 3 in St. Paul
- Accessibility 101/Microsoft Word - Fri, June 7 in New Ulm
- Adobe PDF Accessibility Intro - Wed, June 12 in St. Paul
Details and more training dates
Electronic Information Accessibility Intranet Page
Go-to location for resources, guidance and information.
Designees
Need assistance? Contact your division Electronic Information Accessibility (EIA) Designee.
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