In this issue:

Accessible Materials Made Right (AMMR)

Some minor changes are coming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). A new update is scheduled to be finalized by December 2022. As many of you are already aware, these guidelines are not the be-all end-all of digital accessibility, but they do provide perspective and a framework for what we should be looking for in our digital accessibility work.

WCAG 2.2 is expected to include the following adjustments:

• Focus Indicator Visibility will be upgraded to an A-level requirement with certain minimums at the AA-level (1 pixel in width and 3:1 contrast).
  • Focus indicators are what you see when tabbing-through an interface and objects are either highlighted or appear with a box around them when selected.
• Dragging Movements (AA-level requirement) will require that any interface that requires clicking, holding, and dragging items with a mouse must also provide a way to use single clicks and arrow buttons to move items around.
• Target Size Minimums (AA-level requirement) will require that any object that may be targeted (like buttons) must be at least 24 pixels wide and 24 pixels tall, in particular if there is not at least 24 pixels of space between adjacent targets.
• There are also adjustments related to the predictability of websites, forms, and online tools that aim to cut down on users having to enter the same information multiple times, getting lost or stuck in loops while trying to find assistance, and general inconsistency in navigation.

You can read the full list of proposed updates on the W3.org website, as well as information about the future WCAG 3 guidelines that are still a few years away but should include exciting updates that make the guidelines more specific and flexible and address needs of users with cognitive disabilities. Please keep in mind that these are only guidelines and formal adoption of them varies widely by organization, state, and country.

Assistive Technology (AT)

• AT Lunch & Learns: This educator-run group organizes quarterly opportunities to network and learn more about hot topics under the vast assistive technology umbrella. Information including agendas and Zoom connectivity is shared on the AT-Contacts Listserv. The first date was September 29. Future dates include:
  • November 28, 2022 (in-person: Bay City area)
  • January 26, 2023 (virtual)
  • March 14, 2023 (virtual)
• AT Cohort: Join this smaller subset of professionals to reimagine how to approach AT needs in your district or intermediate school district (ISD). Contact Carolyn O’Hearn for dates and Zoom connection information.
• AT-Contacts Listserv: This Listserv is open to any educator interested in being connected to other AT professionals in Michigan. Information about AT Lunch & Learns, professional development opportunities, and specific questions about strategies and tools are shared on an ongoing basis.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Including Building Blocks to Autonomous Communication and Comprehensive Literacy for Autonomous Communication

Delta Math

The Delta Math implementation support website is aligned to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) recommendation, “Intervention materials should include opportunities for students to work with visual representations of mathematical ideas and interventionists should be proficient in the use of visual representations of mathematical ideas.”

Teachers can begin learning about using visual representations through a quick read about the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) instructional sequence, watch a Graham Fletcher video and look for visual representations provided within district adopted core instruction resources. Then, teachers can identify similarities and differences between these resources to create a manageable list of non-negotiables to increase student access to their current grade level standards and provide an equitable experience for all students in their classroom, school, and district.

The Delta Math Progressions implementation support page includes quick reference guides for Components of Number Sense, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Fraction Concepts, and Algebra Concepts. These guides are intended for teachers and interventionists to consolidate their understanding of how the C-R-A instructional framework is integrated within the Delta Math intervention lessons. Each manipulative and math drawing was selected by a team of regional math consultants throughout Michigan to provide connections within a grade level and across grade levels to help all students build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding.

If you have questions about the Delta Math Response to Intervention (RtI) program resources or implementation opportunities, please contact Mike Klavon at mklavon@oaisd.org.

Foundations of Math (FoM)

The 8th annual Mathematics: Reaching All Learners Together (MRALT) conference is an opportunity for general and special education staff, elementary through secondary, to participate in shared learning experiences focused on meeting the needs of our diverse learners.

The conference will be offered as a virtual conference with a “live” virtual keynote session. The asynchronous sessions will be about 45 minutes in length and cover a wide range of topics.  They will be available for viewing at your convenience, November 14 through December 2. The synchronous, or “live” portion of the conference, will take place on Monday, November 14 at 4 p.m. The keynote session, “Engaging All Students in Learning Mathematics," will be an interactive experience with Kevin Dykema, 2021-2022 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) President-Elect. The session will examine how we can implement effective teaching practices equitably to help each and every student succeed in math.

To learn more about this great opportunity, or to register now, please visit the MRALT Conference website!  8th Annual Mathematics Reaching All Learners Together (MRALT) Conference Information and Registration

Lending Library: Borrower Highlight

Lisa DiMusto
Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
Hillsdale ISD

AS: How long have you been using the Lending Library?
LD: Two years
 
AS: How did you hear about the Lending Library?
LD: Through my fellow SLP colleagues
 
AS: What items have you borrowed through the Lending Library?
LD: Several iPads and Accent devices
 
AS: What are the results from borrowing items from the Lending Library?
LD: Being able to trial devices before purchasing them is a HUGE benefit to the success of implementation. Plus, allowing my students immediate exposure to a device through the Lending Library while waiting for their dedicated devices prevents any lag time in communicating with AAC. Ashley at the Lending Library is amazing at supporting any lendee with possible other options when devices are loaned out and is incredibly prompt in sending devices out. She is awesome to work with!
 
AS: Would you recommend the Lending Library to others?
LD: ABSOLUTELY!

Resource

Looking for a fun way to incorporate estimation into your number sense routines? Consider exploring the 150 different Esti-Mysteries found on Steve Wyborney’s Blog. In the 20 days of Number Sense and Rich Math Talks, each day contains multiple levels. This makes it possible for a 2nd grade teacher, a 5th grade teacher, and a high school teacher to use the same file and access to other grade levels.

Lending Library Update