ELR-News

November 2002

Newsletter of ELR Software Pty Ltd

ABN 67 090 738 702
http://www.elr.com.au
news@elr.com.au

ELR Software combines the skills of speech pathologists and software designers to create software for speech, language and literacy intervention. Our programs may be used within therapy, to increase efficiency in service delivery using the Internet and CD based materials, and to improve access to the Internet for people with special needs. We are also available as consultants to clinicians and research projects in the fields of literacy and accessibility issues associated with the Internet.

The aim of this newsletter is to inform you of developments and changes to our major products eLr (Extra Language Resources) and EIA (Enhancing Internet Access). We welcome the opportunity for feedback and questions, and will be pleased to consider including reader contributions and announcements.

This Newsletter (and previous editions) is available online at www.elr.com.au/news and an email version is sent monthly to members of our mailing list (See Subscribing/Unsubscribing).

In this issue -

  1. My Browser - a Free, Specialized Web Browser
  2. New eLr Materials
  3. ELR Workshops in Townsville and Cairns
  4. Free Downloads
  5. ELR 2002/2003 Calendar

  1. My Browser - a Free, Specialized Web Browser

    My Browser is a free program developed by ELR Software for Dr Teresa Iacono's project Enhancing Internet Activities and Reading Skills of Individuals with Disability, funded by the Australian Government through the AccessAbility Program of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The program is designed to provide an uncluttered, highly accessible web browsing experience for people with high support needs. It has been written as a Hypertext Application (or HTA) for Windows95+ and requires MS Internet Explorer 5+ to be installed on your machine (although you can download it from/to any platform).

    The main features are:

    To install your own individualized copy(ies) of My Browser, simply fill in your preferences in the form at http://www.elr.com.au/apar/browser/browser.htm. Click the Download button, and choose "Save to disk" - to save the new "HTA" (Hypertext Application) program. You would usually choose to save it to the Desktop, or other folder of your choice. If you have previously edited html files, you'll be able to edit the "hta" browser file to add or change the links. Or it may be easier to just get another copy from the website - especially if you want new program for a different user.

    My Browser has certain limitations. In particular, web links which "open in a new window" will launch your regular, default browser in a the new window. Although this does no harm, it may confuse some users, and they may need assistance in closing the new window. For this reason, My Browser works best on sites that have simple, accessible web design. If you need a more robust solution for with more features, on-screen "popup" keyboard, and built in training and assessment modules, please see our EIA - Enhancing Internet Access at http://www.elr.com.au/eiad

  2. New eLr Materials

    There have been 140 new activities added to Phonology - Sound by Sound Section. We have continued to add challenging activities for those children who are a little older, and want to use reading skills when practising phonological skills. The two models which have been used are "WordSearch" and "SmileyMan". This month we have added these activities into /k, g, f, v, sh, zh, ch, dge, y/.

  3. ELR Workshops in Townsville and Cairns

    We enjoyed meeting clinicians in Townsville on the 20th Sept, and Cairns on the 23rd Sept. Representatives from Education Queensland, the Health sector and private clinicians attended. Thank you very much for the assistance we received in organising the two workshops.

    We were able to show the features of eLr which make service delivery more efficient. eL is now a very large resource, it can significantly reduce the need for photocopying, and enables clinicians to give free Guest Access for families who want to use the Internet to do home practice. There are more than 4,500 activities, and for many clients, the use of a computer based tasks (combined with traditional 'hands on' materials), can be very motivating.

  4. Free Downloads

    ELR now has a number of free or evaluation files available for downloading directly from our website. Please see www.elr.com.au/downloads.htm for specific details. For other supporting materials and documents available for free download, please see www.elr.com.au/support.htm.


     
  5. ELR 2002/2003 Calendar



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Copyright ©2002 ELR Software Pty Ltd

Postal ELR Software Pty Ltd
PO Box 1456
Bairnsdale
VIC 3875, Australia
Phone
International
(03) 5156 8309
+61 3 5156 8309
Fax
International
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