We are excited to have Donna Brown as the new WV Accessible Educational Materials Technical Specialist. She is available state-wide to provide technical support to educators as they provide print based materials in accessible formats to students who need them. Part of Donna's job at the IRC is to answer questions and provide support to educators in the field. If you have questions, or just want to welcome Donna, contact her at

dnmbrown@k12.wv.us
Toll free: (855) 435-4584
Phone: (304) 822-4893

My name is Donna Brown, and I am the Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Technical Specialist at the WV Instructional Resource Center (IRC) in Romney, WV. One of my goals is to share current information about technology with teachers who work with students with print disabilities. Below are some resources and information about devices and apps that may help teachers provide their students with instructional materials in accessible formats.

My plan is to share resources frequently throughout the school year.

1. Scientific and Graphing Calculators
   SciPlus series has a large, high contrast and tactile keypad, as well as a generous display with adjustable contrast and backlight. Speaking models have 2-language output with choice of Spanish, French and Arabic as the 2nd language. Visit: https://www.sightenhancement.com/

2. This very useful page is devoted to 'How-To' tutorials and best practices documents for both using Microsoft Office for Windows if you are using adaptive technology and how to create accessible documents: http://bit.ly/2wlZwJo

3. Zamzar - video converter, audio converter, image converter, eBook converter, Free online file converter: http://www.zamzar.com

4. Student Inventory for Technology Supports (SIFTS). This is a quick and easy web-based survey tool developed primarily to support IEP teams who need assistance in matching student needs and strengths to assistive technology (AT). IEP team members can select statements that best represent their student's strengths and needs, targeted support and environments where the tasks will occur within a selected domain of AT. For more information, visit:http://sifts.ocali.org/

5. Self-Advocacy Goals: 15 Ideas from the Field. The following link gives 15 ideas and resources to help you write self-advocacy goals for your students. Visit:http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/self-advocacy-goals-15-ideas-field

6. Speak Notes. This is a website that allows you to speak your notes, and it converts them to text. This site also features document conversion to a variety of file formats. One drawback is that you have to use the Google Chrome web browser. Visit: https://speechnotes.co/

7. Capti Voice Get it for free! Capti Voice is an app that reads text, and much more. Capti is one of the free reading apps but it is also the best text to speech app you will find, period. Reading apps are not easy to come by or make and we think we created something truly unique: a productivity text to speech app for personal use and an educational app for educators and students. More than a text to voice app, Capti can become an invaluable tool in your daily routine. For more information, visit: https://www.captivoice.com/capti-site/