Hands-On Access Tools and Techniques for Students Who are Visually Impaired Session F, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, Room 204 Wednes

1. Hands-On Access Tools and Techniques for Students Who are Visually ImpairedSession F, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, Room 204 Wednesday June 11, 2014Dr. Cary A. Supalo

2. What is Multi-Sensory Science Learning? • This refers to multi-modal presentations of science concepts [1] • Examples: • Audio with visual images • Audio with video • Touch with visual • Audio/visual/touch, etc.

3. Who Are Students With Print Disabilities? • Students who have difficulties identifying, interpreting, and conceptualizing information from printed words [2] • Students with blindness or low vision • Students with learning disabilities • Students with documented reading disabilities

4. Why is it Important for the Print Disabled to be Involved in Science? • Persons with disabilities have been problem solving to overcome physical limitations. [3] • Why not apply this lifelong skill set of problem solving to scientific questions? [4] • Through good organization skills and planning, the print disabled can be fully integrated into the science laboratory classroom.

5. Key Players in Hands-On Learning Experiences for the Blind [5] Teacher of Visually Impaired Science Teacher Student with BLV Parent/Legal Guardian

6. Lab Experience and Participation Hands-On Learning for the Blind Causal Map[3] Without assistive technology ROLES: limited to reader/recorder ROUTINES: redundant data collection from more than one person, less involved with set-up and clean-up SHARED SENSE OF PURPOSE: diminished With assistive technology ROLES: reader/recorder, data collector, equipment manipulator, report writer, problem solver, troubleshooter ROUTINES: non-redundant data collection, more involved with set-up and clean-up SHARED SENSE OF PURPOSE: not diminished Decreased Increased Participation and Understanding Increased Decreased Acceptance/Achievement/Interest in Science Decreased Increased Choice of STEM Career

7. Alternative Formats for Access to Science Content [6] • Braille Books with Properly Formatted Nemeth Code Math and Science Content [7] • Tactile Graphics • Digital/Audio Books • Large Print Books • Use of 3D Model Representations

8. Use of Braille Lab Notebook Text and Graphics Using a braille lab notebook that contains a tactile graphic illustrating various Lewis Structures.

9. Access to Textbooks and Audio Format • All instructional materials are available in braille and audio recording. www.humanware.com

10. What is the Director/Assistant Approach for Students with Blindness or Low Vision?[6], [8] • Sighted counterpart, usually not a student in the science class. • Can be volunteer or paid position. • Familiar with all laboratory safety procedures. • Only performs instructions given by students with BLV as to what tasks to carryout. • Students with BLV must ask for observational feedback • The assistant only intervenes when a safety protocol is compromised. • Can be funded by Science Department and/or Disabled Student Services Office

11. Limitations of this Technique [9] • Limitations of this approach is that it expects the students with BLV to be an expert and to have the knowledge-base needed to oversee a subordinate, which is not always the case. • Because of its inherent limitations, the director assisted approach can be misused by students with BLV. • And the instructor doesn’t always catch this misuse. • The instructor sees that the lab work is getting done, without noticing how it was completed. • Simply being in the lab does not ensure learning has occurred.

12. Safety in the Elementary Grades K-6 [10] • Plan ahead! Become familiar with procedures & substances before the activity • Always wear safety goggles • Waste Disposal • Prevention of burns & fires • Clean up of spills and broken glass • Emergency protocols

13. Safety in Grades 7-12 [10] • Be aware of: flammability, corrosivity, toxicity, and reactivity of the chemicals being used. • Be familiar with all classroom equipment. • Prepare a safety checklist. • Classroom inspection • Awareness of chemical inventory

14. SAVI/SELPH - Science Activities for the Visually Impaired/Science Enrichment for Learners with Physical Handicaps [11] • The SAVI/SELPH program was developed for students with disabilities in grades 3-8. • Applicable in secondary education classrooms. • The program was developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, California • Remains an interdisciplinary, multisensory science enrichment program that has been used effectively for students with disabilities. www.lawrencehallofscience.org

15. SAVI/SELPH Measurement Tools & Equipment [11] Tactile Thermometer Syringe, 50 mL With stop Volume Tube Sorting Tray www.lawrencehallofscience.org

16. SAVI/SELPH Measurement Tools & Equipment (continued) 50 mL Graduated Cylinder Balance Funnel Stand 100 mL Beaker www.lawrencehallofscience.org

17. Notched Syringe Commonly Used in High School Laboratory Classes

18. Commercially AvailableTactile Models Plant Cell Flower Xump.com Science Supplies, Toys, & Gifts Yixin Scientific Equipment Co

19. Vernier Software & Technology • Vernier is committed to the preparation of the next generation of scientists & engineers by providing: • Sensors • Data Loggers • Experiments • Graphing/Analysis Software www.vernier.com

20. Vernier Probes Conductivity Probe EKG Sensor Heart Rate Monitor Accelerometer Motion Detector Colorimeter www.vernier.com

21. Text to Speech Screen Reader of Logger Pro • Converts written text to speech via computer (Jaws and window eyes) • Navigates data tables • Starts and stops experiments • Reads labels of Cartesian graphs • Accesses statistical info • Customizable using special text-to-speech program files • All Vernier Software & Technology probes, both analog and digital, are now text-to-speech-compatible • All analog probes for chemistry, physics, earth science, and biology allow students with BLV to obtain real-time data readings • All balances distributed by Vernier are text-to-speech-compatible and provide real-time measurements • More text-to-speech-compatible digital probes are being developed • Text-to-speech with Vernier Probes www.gwmicro.com www.freedomscientic.com

22. Text-to-speech/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Stainless Steel Temperature Probe www.vernier.com

23. Text-to Speech/Logger Pro Interface With Analytical Scale www.vernier.com

24. Text-to Speech/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Gas Chromatograph • Gas chromatograph used for a chemical analysis of a polyethylene sample www.vernier.com

25. Text-to Speech/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Drop Counter Probe www.vernier.com

26. Independence Science • Products assist in compliance with ADA regulations and increase student confidence and comfort with science procedures, field studies, and lab experiments. • Accessibility products compatible with full line of Vernier data collection technology. • Provides solutions through access technology and consultation, facilitating barrier-free learning environments for all students. www.independencescience.com

27. Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest • 1.The TLQ provides spoken real-time probe readings • 2. Access to file menu options • 3. Data table navigation • 4. Start and stop of data collection • Not all functions of the TLQ are accessible via text-to-speech. However, this effort is a 2-year R&D project sponsored by the NSF. • Future enhancements will be available free of charge to all customers of the TLQ through the end of 2014. www.vernier.com

28. Sci-Voice Talking Labquest/LoggerPro Interface www.vernier.com

29. Sci-Voice Talking LabquestPeriodic Table www.vernier.com

30. Examples of Accessible Science Activities for Students with BLV • As Cold as Ice…Water [12] • Baggie Mittens [13] • Household Acids & Bases [14] • Pressure vs. Volume [15] • Temperature of Hand [16]

31. Multi-/Sensory Science Learning Experiences Are Good for All Students • Many of the blind/low vision adaptations to lab curricula enhance learning for all students. • Text-to-speech output of spoken data points from a computer equipped with a text-to-speech screen reader can focus more attention on key data points being collected. • The audio trace graph feature in the Logger Pro software application provides a qualitative representation of the slope of a line on a Cartesian graph. • The extra verbal descriptions of what is happening during labs and lecture demonstrations point out additional key aspects to all students, not just the blind.

32. Summary of High Tech & Low Tech Solutions • SAVI/SELPH • Vernier Software & Technology hardware and software. • Text-to-Speech/Logger Pro application. • Sci-Voice Talking Labquest.

33. Acknowledgments • National Science Foundation Award Number 1127412 • GW Micro • ViewPlus Technologies • Independence Science • Vernier Software & Technology • Xump.com Science Supplies, Toys, & Gifts • Yixin Scientific Equipment Co., Ltd.

34. Online Resources • National Center for Blind Youth in Science www.blindscience.org • STEM Accessibility www.access2science.com • MDW Educational Services www.sciencefortheblind.com • Entrypoint Internship Program http://ehrweb01.aaas.org/entrypoint/ • Institute for Accessible Science http://iashub.org/ • ACS Chemists with Disabilities Committee https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/about/governance/committees/cwd.html • Science for Students with Disabilities http://www.nsta.org/disabilities/ • ILAB project http://ilab.psu.edu/ • Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) www.washington.edu/doit/

35. References 1. Supalo, C. A.; Cermak, L.; Larrick, C. In Development of a Multisensory Chemistry Curriculum for a Residential School for the Blind, 246th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Indianapolis, IN, September 10, 2013; Indianapolis, 2013. 2. Maurer, M. If Blindness Comes. National Federation of the Blind: 2001. 3. Supalo, C. Teaching Chemistry and Other Science to Blind and Low-Vision Students Through Hands-On Learning Experiences in High School Science Laboratories. Doctoral Dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 2010. 4. Woods, M. Working Chemists with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities in Science. American Chemical Society, 1996. 5. Supalo, C. A.; Isaacson, M.; Lombardi, M. Making Hands-On Science Learning for Students Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision. J. Chem. Ed. 2013. 6. Miner, D.; Nieman, R.; Swanson, A.; Woods, M. Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabililties: A Manual for High Schools, Colleges, and Graduate Programs. 4th ed.; American Chemical Society Committee on Chemists with Disabilities: Washington, D.C., 2001. 7. Willoughby, D. M.; Duffy, S.L.M., Handbook for Itinerant and Resource Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired Students. National Federation of the Blind: Baltimore, MD, 1989. 8. Pence, L. E.; Workman, H. J.; Riecke, P. Effective Laboratory Experiences for Students with Disabilities: The Role of a Student Laboratory Assistant. J. Chem. Ed. 2003, 80, pp. 295-298.

36. References(continued) 9. Supalo, C. The Next Generation Laboratory Interface for Students with Blindness or Low Vision in the Science Laboratory. Journal of Science Education for Students With Disabilities, 2013 (accepted for publication) 10. American Chemical Society. Committee on Professional Training, Laboratory Safety. http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/about/governance/committees/training.html 11. DeLucchi, L; Malon, L. SAVI (Science Activities for the Visually Impaired). In A Teacher’s Guide to the Special Educational Needs of Blind and Visually Handicapped Children; Mangold, S., Ed.; American Foundation for the Blind: New York, 1982; pp 72-93. 12. Moore, M.; Carter, D.; Andersen, B.; Windle, T. Elementary Science with Vernier: :Experiment 6. Vernier Software & Technology, LLC. Beaverton, OR. 13. Moore, M.; Carter, D.; Andersen, B.; Windle, T. Elementary Science with Vernier :Experiment 3. Vernier Software & Technology, LLC. Beaverton, OR. 14. Holmquist, D. D.; Randall, J.; Volz, D. L. Chemistry with Vernier lab Manual:Experiment 21. Vernier Software & Technology, LLC. Beaverton, OR. 15. Volz, D. L.; Sapatka, S. Physical Science with Vernier lab Manual: :Experiment 30. Vernier Software & Technology, LLC. Beaverton, OR. 16. Volz, D. L.; Sapatka, S. Middle School Science with Vernier: Experiment 1. Vernier Software & Technology, LLC. Beaverton, OR.