1. Teaching Screen Magnification Programs for Low Vision
Zoom to Success

2. Lighthouse for the Blind- CLVP
John Thompson- Lighthouse for the Blind- St. Louis President
Jennifer Coy- Director (CTVI/CLVT/COMS)
Ashley Bement- CTVI/CLVT/COMS
Laura Jones
CTVI/CLVT/COMS
Experience with infants through adults
Primarily in school districts
Visual impairment
Full-time screen magnification program user

3. Objectives At the end of this presentation, learners will be able to:
Identify multiple reasons why it is important to teach screen magnification software
List choices of screen magnification programs and resources for acquiring them
Describe strategies for instruction

4. Presentation Focus Screen magnification programs
Students with low vision
Mainly teachers but hopefully applicable to all
Beginner and intermediate skill level
Not endorsing a specific product- No commercial interest
Thank you for your survey responses about questions and concerns!

5. Outline Why teach these programs? Programs and resources overview
Hands-On Time #1- Practicing general skills, comparing programs
Key commands
Screen reading features and full screen readers
Hands-On Time #2- Using key commands, exploring screen reading features
Instructional ideas and goals
Closing- Including Q&A

6. Why Teach Screen Magnification Programs
Enable students to learn alongside their peers
Skills they need for local and/or state testing
Critical for managing eye fatigue
Enables student to use good posture and working distance
Expanded Core Curriculum impact
Computer use for post secondary education and work

7. Common Reasons They Are Not Taught
The student can use CTRL + and -, program zoom settings, and/or pinch to zoom
The student, parent, or teacher say that they “do fine on the computer”
Student’s vision is “too good”
Student feedback during first session
Frustration with default settings
Teacher feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar

8. Example- Program Zoom and Enlarged Font

9. LHB Employee Survey Results
4 Respondents
Which programs do you use frequently?
Dolphin= 0
MAGic= 1 (25%)
Windows Magnifier= 3 (75%)
Zoom on Mac= 0
ZoomText= 3 (75%)
Reasons They Use More Than One:
Needing more advanced color options available on ZoomText
Only having Windows Magnifier available at home

10. LHB Employee Survey Results
3.25
4.0
4.5

11. Survey- When to Teach Programs
When did you learn to use screen magnification software?
When do you think it would have been most beneficial for you to learn how to use screen magnification software?
Elementary School (Grades: K-5) 2
Middle School or High School (Grades: 6-12)
College/Post Secondary Education 3 1
In a Work Setting

12. Tips for Teachers from Respondents
“Allow the children to play with the different settings of magnification and also give them the opportunity to explore using it with different uses such as entertainment and social media.”
“I would suggest the teachers learn how to use the programs to better understand what the students are experiencing. Some features work great and others take some getting used to or some tweaking to make them work for each individual. The students may need help learning what features are available and how to use them effectively. “
“[These programs] aren’t perfect.”
2 Respondents- Using a larger screen so that they can use less magnification is helpful

13. Trends Improved built-in and free options Improved screens- 4K
Merger of Freedom Scientific and Ai Squared
Touchscreens
Chromebooks
Tablets

14. Premium Screen Magnification Programs
ZoomText: Magnifier, Magnifier/Reader, Fusion
MAGic: No Speech, Speech
Dolphin Super Nova: Magnifier, Magnifier & Speech, Magnifier & Screen Reader

15. Free or Built-In Programs
Windows Magnifier
Chromebook Magnifier
Mac Zoom
Use full screen mode
Freeware
Getting phased out?
Often not full screen, just lens
Possible security/technology department issues
In-depth analysis by Ike Presley:

16. Chromebooks Surveys showed significant interest.
Strategies for district using Chromebooks:
1. Buy a Windows PC, which can still use all the Google apps, and have other functions
2. Buy a Chromebook with 15” screen
Magnifier is useful with some glitches
Learn keyboard commands
Accessibility settings and extensions can help significantly.
Opinion: Usable for students with higher functioning low vision (ballpark: better than 20/200)

17. Resources for Purchasing
National:
MAGic- APH Quota funds for students who are legally blind (for school and home)
Missouri:
Missouri AT Reimbursement Program (for school)
Missouri AT TAP-I (for home)
Lighthouse for the Blind Continuing Education (legally blind- for home)

18. Money-Saving Tips Multiple installations District multi-user licenses
Sometimes better pricing through dealers
Need for enhanced service plan for ZoomText?
Consider using built-in screen reading (Narrator or VoiceOver) if only occasional reader use is needed
Can save $250 by not getting ESP

19. Decision-Making Factors
Tasks
Amount of zoom used by student
Amount of use and frequency
Number of different computers
Touchscreen
Need for enhancements beyond Ease of Access
Need for reader/speech functions
Additional impairments
Funding options
Trade off of using a less common product?
From Ike Presley:
Tasks to be completed
What features are needed
Low cost programs / minimal features
Intermediate priced programs
Full featured programs
Sensory, physical, cognitive

20. Teaching Multiple Programs
Need to learn built-in screen magnification program, even as back up for additional program
Gives students ability to help themselves on whatever computer they’re on

21. Touch Screens
Most programs have built-in touch screen features (MAGic does NOT)- Trial these before making purchase
Concerns about efficiency
Consider using mouse to manipulate screen magnification program and touch screen to interact with other computer features

22. Build Your Skills
Download a free trial of whichever software you’re focusing on
Just like with your students, set a goal for yourself to use the program a certain amount of time
Explore, explore, explore- Program menus and manual

23. Hands-On Time #1
Use the computer with screen magnification on to accomplish a common task for you
Try changing various settings and explore the program menus to get familiar with the features
Compare different screen magnification programs and note what you like or dislike about them
Be prepared to provide feedback

24. Premium Program Brief Comparison
Comparably priced as of 10/2016
Cons for each of these is cost and slower start-up when compared to built-in options.
MAGic:
Pros: Available on Quota Funds
Cons: Fewer features, less clear text, no touchscreen support
Supernova:
Pros: Best touchscreen access, good clarity
Cons: Less common, not on Quota Funds, hard to reach customer support in US
ZoomText:
Pros: Industry-standard, extensive advanced features, good clarity
Cons: Not on Quota Funds

25. Key Commands Increase efficiency Increase acceptance of program
High level of zoom
Problems staying oriented
Issues using the mouse
Increase acceptance of program
Explain modifier keys
Teach what is relevant to your student
Let the student suggest new commands to learn
Make up funny stories or sayings
Practice using age-appropriate fun activities- Simon Says, Internet research on a preferred topic
There’s a command for that- Look it up

26. Key Commands Screen Magnification Commands:
Zoom in and out
Enable and disable zoom (if available with program)
Moving focus (such as jumping center)
Reading commands
Commands to manage enhancements, such as color
Operating System or Program Commands:
Operating System examples: Windows Key, Alt+tab, Windows+D
Program Examples: CTRL+P, CTRL+S, CTRL+C, Alt+D

27. Screen Readers vs. Screen Magnifiers
Screen magnifiers (MAGic, ZoomText Magnifier, Supernova)
Screen magnifiers with reader support (ZoomText Magnifier/Reader, MAGic with Speech, Supernova Magnifier & Speech)- Read documents, read what the mouse hovers over etc.
Screen readers (JAWS, Window Eyes, NVDA)- Reads everything necessary to operate computer without using vision and supports braille display
Screen magnifiers with full screen readers (ZoomText Fusion, SuperNova Magnifier and Screen Reader, or using separate magnification and screen reading programs together, such as MAGic and JAWS)

28. Screen Reading Functions within Screen Magnification Programs
Benefits:
Typing feedback
Help manage eye fatigue
Help with reading efficiency (depending on student’s visual reading speed)
Editing assistance
Deciding Factors:
Consider learning media, including interest in/ability to listen to electronic voices
Consider academic demands and eye fatigue

29. When to Transition to Full Screen Readers
Observe efficiency on computer
Think about classroom learning media
Need for braille support
General rule of thumb- 5x or 6x and up
Degenerative conditions
Resistance to this transition
May consider ZoomText Fusion, Supernova
Progressively introducing screen reader with screen magnification
Screen magnification as a support

30. Hands-On Time #2
Use the screen magnification key command cheat sheets in your resource packet to launch a screen magnification program and work with it (zoom in, zoom out, disable zoom, enable zoom, etc.)
Use the “General Basic Keyboard Commands” sheet to perform a few basic tasks, such as within Word
Compare the speed of key commands to using the mouse with screen magnification on
Try the reader functions of the screen magnification programs
Be prepared to provide feedback

31. Foundational Skills Basic mouse-pointer and clicking skills
Basic computer concepts, layout, and vocabulary
Orientation to keyboard modifier keys and the concept of using keyboard commands
Ballyland program for young children
“Magic trick” of using commands for young children

32. Introducing Screen Magnification Programs
Strategies vary by age
Have student choose default settings with you (make sure to save them)
Show students zoomed out view and zoomed in view- Encourage them to use this strategy
Mouse to start out instead of touch pad
Start on low zoom amount
Start with moving correct directions and locating parts of the screen
Teach scanning patterns
Introduce basic magnification commands
Set goal for minimum use

33. Lesson Ideas Use games- Simon Says, I Spy
Use fun websites or internet games
Typing with typing feedback- Create fun documents and stories
Internet research projects for high interest topics
Can support academics
Typing and editing assignments
Educational computer games or online books
Using session time to get a jump start on homework

34. Instruction Time Range from a few sessions to years Age
Technical aptitude
Visual functioning
Additional disabilities
Practice and follow through outside of instruction sessions

35. Skills Checklists “TSBVI Computer Basics Checklist”
“TSBVI Basic Commands and ZoomText Checklist”
“WSB ZoomText Skills Checklist”
Pick and choose what is relevant for your student
Make your own checklist from electronic copies

36. IEP Goal Writing Can be challenging to write measureable goals
Target specific, relevant skills:
Locating requested buttons or links on the screen
Controlling program features with mouse and/or key commands
Utilizing keyboard commands to move around the screen and stay oriented
Using reader functions

37. Be Careful
Be careful writing a single goal that measures screen magnification skills AND other computer skills when you are providing instruction in both
Example: This student will use a screen magnification program to complete computer activities with 70% accuracy.
What tasks on the computer?
What skills will they need to use within the screen magnification program?
If the student is independent with the screen magnification program, it could be used as a condition for a goal:
In 36 instructional weeks, while independently utilizing the computer with screen magnification software, this student will use the following key commands to create, format, edit, and save work in word processing software: open, new, select all, cut, undo, bold, underline, italics, align center, align left, align right, single space, double space, spell check, and save as. Success will be measured by teacher tests and observations at a rate of 12 of 15 commands.

38. Be Careful Continued
Be careful with goals that just measure frequency of use because they don’t explain exactly what skills the child should master.
Example: This student will utilize the computer with screen magnification software for classroom activities 30 minutes or more per week.

39. Sample Goals Tailor to your district’s goal writing format
This student will increase his assistive technology skills by utilizing screen magnification software to access the computer.  He will independently locate specific icons or links when asked by the teacher on the computer at a rate of 80%.  
This student will increase her assistive technology skills by independently using the following features of a screen magnification program (either with the mouse or keyboard commands): enabling zoom, disabling zoom, zooming in, zooming out, and color enhancement. Mastery will be measured at a rate of 5 of 6 features.
This student will increase her assistive technology skills by independently using the following keyboard commands for screen magnification/reading software: enable zoom, disable zoom, zoom in, zoom out, launch App Reader, pause reading, and escape App Reader. Mastery will be measured at a rate of 6 of 7 commands.

40. Resource Packet General Basic Keyboard Commands
Command cheat sheets for: MAGic (and JAWS), Supernova, Windows Magnifier, ZoomText
Low Vision Chromebook Tips
“Training Tips for Using Magnification Programs”- Basic instruction
Websites to use for activities
Computer and screen magnification skills checklists
Electronic Copies: or search for “Lighthouse Comprehensive Low Vision Project”

41. General Technology Resources
AFB Learn Tech:
Paths to Technology:
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Technology:
Your Tech Vision:

42. Acknowledgements and Sources
Thanks:
Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments
Kathi Garza & Cindy Bachofer- Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Dean Ingalls- World Services for the Blind
Sources:
University of Buffalo AT: atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Populations/LowVision/magtips.pdf
Ike Presley Freeware/Shareware Review:
Comparison of Freeware Programs:
ZoomText 10 Review

43. If you have questions later, email me at ljones@lhbindustries.com.
Question and Answer
If you have questions later, me at