Hi, I reviewed the TextAid webinar posted to the list from 2019 as it seems to be the only choice for compatibility with Lockdown Browser and D2L for LD students using it for reading comprehension. Is anyone using TextAid with D2L and Lockdown browser? We are interested in trying it, however wanted to check in with other's experiences and opinions of the product. Jane Thanks for the nuanced explanation and thanks again to Carin for the clear explanation originally. Peter From: Ginger Dewey <ginger.dewey@readspeaker.com<mailto:ginger.dewey@readspeaker.com>> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 6:51 PM To: Sambhavi Chandrashekar <Sambhavi.Chandrashekar@d2l.com<mailto:Sambhavi.Chandrashekar@d2l.com>> Cc: Carin Headrick <Carin.Headrick@d2l.com<mailto:Carin.Headrick@d2l.com>>; Peter DeCourcy <peter.decourcy@sheridancollege.ca<mailto:peter.decourcy@sheridancollege.ca>>; d2l-a11y-group@lists.d2l.com<mailto:d2l-a11y-group@lists.d2l.com> Subject: Re: What ReadSpeaker Can Do to Help You and Your Students Transition to Online Learning Hi, I've read the email chain on this topic. I think Kathy Day did a good summary of the main strengths of our products. Please allow me to expand on some of our goals and target demographics. ReadSpeaker - Suite of Learning Tools are not intended to replace screen readers such as JAWS, NDVA, etc. We are more for students who have a weak vocabulary, second language learners, students with cognitive challenges, etc. We also are good for changing up the way material is presented so that instructors/students follow the instructional design principle of changing methods every 20 minutes at most to help retain material. It is also a bi-modal presentation - using both sight and hearing which has been shown to increase retention of materials. Many students on the higher education level cannot afford new testing to receive accommodations, so they struggle through their courses. With our products, they are receiving many of the accommodations that they would not have access to. Oral learners really enjoy the products. We also integrate with Respondus LockDown Browser so that students who require the oral format, can have their tests read to them. TextAid also helps students proof-listen to their work. As I am sure you know, we read what we think we wrote, not what we wrote. By listening to work, we catch left out words, typos that are words - but the intended word, clumsy sentences, etc. This allows tutors to focus on the grammatical rules and not the "careless" mistakes that students have made in their work. Since the first appointment with the tutor is generally helping the student straighten out the challenges that proof-listening helps to resolve, this allows tutors to spend twice as much time with an individual student or to see twice as many students. As mentioned earlier, we are not a screen reader as such, but a web reader. If you have questions or if I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I will be glad to assist. :) Best, Ginger Ginger Dewey Educational Development Manager ReadSpeaker T:803-620-4837 M:803-984-9752 On Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 10:26 AM Sambhavi Chandrashekar <Sambhavi.Chandrashekar@d2l.com<mailto:Sambhavi.Chandrashekar@d2l.com>> wrote: I am sure Ginger can add specifics here, but I think you are spot on, Carin. Peter, perhaps the audio format download would be of use to screen reader users too. I just checked and found that you were not present at our AIG monthly meeting of September 2019 where we had a ReadSpeaker demo and discussion<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdrive.google.com%2ffile%2fd%2f1hdZ3f0voUKyOoegy4Z7Fgh-Vebl8wVSA%2fview&c=E,1,N4vOrlsrFA_0uMTK6nRw7l5IbCwxTDoyiQVQafh_sxN_vS_ViEv1n2Y3JNHAesA-OK8RSnZ0xEv41vc3dHS-wwTfWoIiS9-URxAEJylXfTOAt7gI_x2PBUw,&typo=1>. Please view the linked video recording to get a better sense of what ReadSpeaker can do. Would love to see you at our April AIG meeting on April 2nd. Carin will be sending out the invite soon to the group. Best regards, Sam Sambhavi Chandrashekar, PhD, CPACC Accessibility Lead, D2L Corporation Adjunct Professor (Inclusive Design), OCAD University Adjunct Professor (Critical Disability Studies) York University Toronto, Canada +1 (416) 709-6270 LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambhavichandrashekar/?originalSubdomain=ca> Website<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fsambhavi.com%2f&c=E,1,tYueeoFpOT9HGUh28O6NvS0jy9njjcUSwGT9TyIIwUc0zjbCdXs1hanPBP_JgbINLPZcqCp7LsVysvFAFRCHMtZYzPaUu6vmmcB0XYhK&typo=1>