If you already have an iPhone, the upgrade to OS 3.0 is free.  So, it’s worth being aware of, and spreading the word about, the accessibility features that are part of the new iPhone operating system. Ars Technica has put together a video that effectively highlights functions that support vision challenges and that offer text-to-speech.  I’m embedding the video here to help spread the word.

iPhone OS 3.0 Accessibility Features from Ars Technica on Vimeo.

Last week, Google released the shiny new web browser that they’ve aptly named “Chrome“.  After taking it for a test drive, I have to admit that I rather like it.  It’s incredibly fast, and I love the way it gives me almost my entire laptop screen for viewing web pages.   Still, Chrome reminds me of just how very much more  I appreciate Firefox.

I believe that Firefox should be available to every learner in every school.  That’s because of the accessibility features that are built into Firefox and because of the available Firefox add-ons that further facilitate access for individuals with diverse learning needs.

In a blog post entitled “Learning to give up…“,  Ira Socol convincingly makes the point that text-to-peech software is an essental tool that should be available to all learners, not just to those with designated “special” needs. I think every classroom teacher would do well to read Ira’s post!

With Firefox, text-to-speech software can indeed be available to all learners when reading online. That’s because there is a free Firefox add-on called CLiCk,Speak that conveniently offers text-to-speech.  This is but one example of the countless add-ons for Firefox that enhance accessibility and that help to make learning possible for many who might otherwise give up.

Access Firefox is a website that I’ve written about before, but I believe it’s well worth another mention.  Access Firefox is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in making the internet accessible to all learners.  Access Firefox details the built-in accessibility features of Firefox.  It also describes and links to numerous add-ons. The site is well organized and uncluttered.  It has been designed with accessibility in mind, and demonstrates what an accessible website can look like.

If you are in a position to exert any influence at all, please advocate for the use of Firefox on the computers that are being used in schools.  Alternative browsers available today don’t come close in terms of helping to meet the diverse range learning styles and learning needs that exist in every classroom.

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