vcc.ca
VOVI 0100: Introduction to Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired
Effective date
January 2019
Department
Visually Impaired
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce blind and visually impaired students to the range of adaptive technology available to them in their daily lives, at work or at school. The course will enable students to use adaptive classroom equipment and computers more effectively, and so, would be a useful first course for students planning to attend our other courses. Students will also learn enough about adaptive technology and available resources to enable them to make informed choices about what they need to make their lives easier.
Credits
0.0
Year of study
Post-secondary Preparatory
Prerequisites
Keyboarding speed of 15 wpm minimum or take Basic Keyboarding course concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe accessible formats in books and locate accessible books
- Use DAISY book players
- Use recording devices
- Use scanners and Optical Character Recognition technology
- Explore and assess magnification devices (optional, based on visual acuity)
- Use screen readers
- Explore and assess Braille displays and note takers (optional, based on visual acuity)
- Explore and assess adaptive technology for daily living
- Describe accessible mathematical aids and use at least one
- Identify adaptive equipment for their needs
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 96
Total Hours: 96
Total Hours: 96
Instructional Strategies
Self-paced, individualized instruction
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
70%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
30 |
6-7 Short assignments |
|
Participation |
10 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30 |
8 Quizzes |
|
Other |
30 |
8 Demonstrations of learned skills |
Course topics
- Brief history of assistive technology for the visually impaired
- Accessible book formats
- Sources for Accessible books
- DAISY book readers
- Recording devices
- Scanners and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology
- Magnifiers (from hand-held to CCTV) (optional)
- Screen magnification software (optional)
- Screen reader technology (JAWS, NVDA)
- Braille displays and portable note takers (optional)
- Adaptive devices for daily living (high and low tech devices)
- Mathematical aids (talking calculators, abacus)
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.