What will you learn?
Working with Text will feature all of the skills needed to read, write, edit and format documents with a screen reader... even if your learner has never touched one before.
Key Questions include...
- What are modifier keys?
- What are reading commands?
- Which reading command do I use when?
- How do I navigate a document by headings?
- How do I know where my cursor is?
- Should I delete or backspace?
- How do I bold, underline or italicize text?
- How do I make lists?
- How do I copy and paste?
Request a Demo!
Or See a Preview
Get a Sense
And... you get an exclusive children's novel
Through the Magnifying Glass
by Frankie Ann Marcille and illustrated by Patrick Regan
“Sometimes even the greatest detective needs to look through the magnifying glass..”
Julia is just your average middle schooler. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, and listening to music or podcasts- she especially loves listening to old school Sherlock Holmes radio shows on Youtube. But Julia doesn’t feel like one. Having a vision impairment sometimes makes her feel like she doesn’t fit in anywhere- she’s not totally bind, but she’s not sighted either. Her family and teachers for the blind encourage her to use adaptive devices like a white cane or assistive technology like a screen reader to help her, but Julia has no interest. She wants to be just like everyone else- specifically her older brother, John. Town hero, most popular guy in high school, mystery solving,John.
When Cooperstown, New York is hit with another major mystery, everyone turns to John and his three best friends to solve the case. But as the mystery unfolds, they all realize that they are “looking” in all the wrong places. Will Julia rise to the challenge, accept the help she maybe needs, and use it to bring her brother and his friends through the magnifying glass?
The Screen Reader Curriculum
Part 1:
Working with Text
You and your learner will learn 8 key command patterns that will teach you the basics of reading, writing and editing text anywhere on the computer with any screen reader!
Part 2:
Basic Internet Navigation
With our 3 methods of internet navigation, your learner will gain the tools to access 99% of the accessible web.
We believe that computer literacy is just as important as braille literacy,
and now you have a way to teach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Screen Reader Curriculum?
The Screen Reader Curriculum is an online video-based curriculum teaching students and teachers to use and teach NVDA, JAWS and Chromevox. There are currently two courses that make up the screen reader curriculum: Part 1 - Working with Text, and Part 2 - Basic Internet Navigation.
2) What does the Working With Text course teach?
Working with Text teaches you how to read, write and edit text with a screen reader. In this course we teach you using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but know that the skill you will learn will apply to any text anywhere on the computer.
3) What is the difference between Working With Text and Basic Internet navigation?
The topic; Working with Text covers skills related to reading, writing and editing. Those include reading commands, document navigation, cursor placement, deleting and backspacing, and formatting. Basic Internet Navigation teaches you our 3 methods to navigate the internet with a screen reader.
4) Do I need to complete Part 1: Working With Text of the Screen Reader Curriculum in order to properly complete Part 2: Basic Internet Navigation?
No, both courses come with a prerequisite skills module that will teach you everything you need to know to begin learning. That means that you can start either course without any screen reader knowledge.
5) Do I need to do the courses in order?
No, if learning the internet is your priority, feel free to begin with Part 2. If you want to learn reading, writing and editing first, start with Part 1. We have designed both courses to be easy to grasp with no screen reader experience.
6) I see that there is a Student Edition and an Instructor Edition of the Basic Internet Navigation course. What is the difference between them?
The Student Edition teaches you how to use a screen reader. The Instructor Edition also teaches you how to use a screen reader, but also teaches you how to TEACH your learner to use a screen reader. It has everything the student edition has in addition to lesson plans, data sheets, instructor videos, practice activities and more.
7) Should I purchase the Student Edition for my learner or just the Instructor Edition?
The Student Edition is for “independent learners” or “differentiated learning”. If you are expecting a learner to log in to their own account, and watch videos on their own OR if you have a room full of students who will be watching different videos at the same time, then purchasing student editions for each student, might be a good idea. However, if you have one learner and you will be actively teaching them throughout the entire course, then you should be ok with just the instructor edition.
7) Is there a Student and Instructor edition for Working With Text?
At this time, Working with Text only includes an Instructor Edition. The Student Edition will be released at a later date.
8) How much time will it take to complete Working with Text?
This is a hard one. It depends… Our advice: do not rush. There are seven large concepts that we teach in this course. Each of them takes time and effort to understand and retain. Although you could speed through the course in about 2 months, we recommend that you consider taking an entire academic year to teach this material and as always it depends on your learner.
9) Is the content and information provided within Working With Text transferable across multiple screen readers?
Absolutely! In fact, this course is designed for you to pick your screen reader. If you are using JAWS, NVDA or Chromevox, this course is for you! And because the key commands between each of those are so similar, once you learn the skills with one screen reader, chances are you will be able to switch over to another without any issues.
10) Do I need any prior screen reader experience in order to complete the Working With Text course?
Absolutely not! Working with Text comes with an optional “Prerequisite Skills” module that will teach you everything you need to know prior to beginning the content.
11) Are there any external tools and/or software I need prior to starting the course?
A screen reader… That’s it! As long as you have JAWS, NVDA or Chromevox on your computer, you are good to go! Our courses are all online, so you can access them from any device with an internet connection: that includes, your computer, phone or tablet. No downloads necessary!