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 -
We have had a very pleasing response to the free workshops we are offering in Sydney and Brisbane in late July (dates and times are at the end of this newsletter). We had made the closing date for registration on Monday 8th July. This was to assist us with catering. However, if you would like to attend and haven't registered yet, we'd encourage you to contact us by phone or email, so that we can make adjustments.
28 new tasks have been added to Semantics - Categories. The "MultiPic Slideshow" model was used to provide "odd one out" activities. Each new task contains 4 pages. There are 8 tasks in the Unrelated Common (therefore 32 items), 10 in Unrelated Specific (40 items), and 10 in Related Specific (40 items).
The "odd one out" tasks are useful for therapists working within the cognitive neuropsychological model, focussing on semantic knowledge. They are also useful when working with individuals who need strengthening in the areas of expressive vocabulary, use of specific vocabulary, and verbal reasoning skills. (eg explain why it is the odd one, name the category).
Two sections have been reviewed with some minor changes to the content of some of the tasks.
In Reading and Spelling, the 'e rule' sections has been revised - thank you to feedback that we received. There were a couple of items which were not totally consistent, so there have been changes to the following tasks - 1003-204, 1003-206, 1015-132, 1015-129, 1015-136, 1013-113 and 1013-114.
Also in Reading and Spelling, the 'detecting non words' tasks (using "MultiWord Slideshow" eg 1027-306 and 1027-307) has been reviewed. I had noted that some of the 'nonwords' sounded like real words, even though they were not spelt correctly as a real word. Hopefully there are none of these instances left. Feel free to email me if you come across a nonword, which when read out, sounds like a read word.
We have also made a change to 1039-194 ("Memory Pic" in /s/ final CVC words), as the content of this task was fairly similar to the other "Memory Pic" in this section.
Following Sandra Vasselo's incorporation of WordCue into the e-bility website, we (Rob and Toni Seiler) have contributed an article which discusses some of the background issues relating to the development of WordCue. We commented more broadly on the fact that there are many different types of literacy disorders, which means that there is not "one solution" when it comes it making the web more accessable.
This article, published at http://www.e-bility.com/articles/literacy.shtml, outlines some of the factors that need to be considered in the design of web content to increase access for people with literacy problems. It briefly describes how WordCue attempts to assist people with literacy problems use the web, while preserving their ability to enjoy the extensive variety of the web. The e-bility website www.e-bility.com is currently the largest WordCue aware web site, that enables people to read documents containing unfamiliar words.
An EIA Browser, Tutorial and Touchscreen system was recently installed in our local (Bairnsdale) public library with funding from Vicnet. As part of the launch of this installation, library staff prepared a See me - Feel me - Touch me flyer to promote the use to library clients, especially elderly people and those with special needs. The Bairnsdale library and East Gippsland Shire have offered that other organizations are welcome to use or modify this flyer. The package consists of a largish MS Publisher 2000 file, along with some of the original graphics, available (in zip format) at http://www.elr.com.au/cgi-bin/loader.cgi?action=request&task=0401-109
The current version of eLr-Offline is always available for downloading . Fill in the form, download the installation program to your computer and run it. If you are a registered user who has already installed eLr-Offline, the installer will simply overwrite your older version with the most recent version, and you can continue to use it as normal. If you are not a subscriber, the program will run in "Unregistered Mode" for you to evaluate.
www.elr.com.au/offline
Unregistered trial version (fully functional, but time limited). For Internet training and access for people with disabilities and other special needs.
www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
Demonstration of the EIA Browser, Tutorial and AAP. Will let you see, or show others, how the EIA Browser and its Plugin modules (the AAP and the Web Tutorial) "look and feel". It is just a demonstration - it will not allow actual Web browsing.
www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
This summary version of the printable eLr Directory is useful for quick reference and an overview of the scope of eLr. Registered users have access to a full Directory, which contains all the section and sub-section headings, individual task titles and task numbers.
www.elr.com.au/support.htm#elrdir
For other supporting materials and documents available for free download, please see www.elr.com.au/support.htm.
- Customs House, July 24th - 26th, Brisbane. We will have a commercial stand at this conference showing our products, especially the EIA Browser and the new Word Meanings program.
We will be holding several workshop/demonstration showing eLr, as well as Rude Readers, Word Meanings and the EIA Browser. Morning/afternoon tea will be provided at each workshop. Numbers are limited, so please register with us to ensure a place.- Qld Locations
- Caboolture Library, Caboolture. Monday Jul 22nd. 3.00pm - 5.00pm
- Diana Plaza Hotel, Wooloongabba. Tuesday Jul 23rd
- Ipswich Library, Ipswich. Tuesday 30th. 3.00pm - 5.00pm
- NSW Locations
- Speech Pathology Services, Caringbah. Friday Jul 19th. 10.00am - 12.00noon
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle (Auchmuty Library). Thursday Aug 1st. 12.00noon - 2.00pm
- Lindfield Speech Pathology & Learning Centre, Lindfield. Friday Aug 2nd. 3.30pm - 5.30pm
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
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