KURZWEIL PROGRAM TO INTEGRATE CLASSROOM READERS - Reading
technology developer Kurzweil Educational Systems said it will offer a program to
train educators to integrate Kurzweil 3000 - its comprehensive reading, writing, and
learning software for struggling students - into the classroom and to adapt its use to
students' learning styles and boost their performance. The professional development
program (PDP) is designed to assist teachers who are struggling to learn and
incorporate new technologies into the classroom. The Kurzweil PDP involves four
workshop modules to accommodate teacher technology expertise and tight work
schedules. (Syllabus News, Resources, Trends, 25 Oct 02)

SPEECH-TO-SIGN LANGUAGE APPLICATION UNVEILED - Two imaging, speech
and language technology developers last week unveiled a product to convert speech into
video-based sign language in real time. The iCommunicator, developed by ScanSoft, Inc.
and Interactive Solutions, Inc., is designed to help people with hearing loss, as well as
others without hearing loss, interact even if they do not know how to sign. The application
uses ScanSoft Dragon NaturallySpeaking for automatic speech recognition, and ScanSoft
RealSpeak for converting text into synthesized human speech. In a classroom setting, a
teacher wears a wireless headset that relays what is spoken to a PC used by a student.
The program converts the speech into text, and simultaneously presents video sign
language from a database of more than 9,200 video clips. Developers said the application
would help meet requirements for equal access to information required under Section 508
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Syllabus News, Resources, Trends, 22 Oct 02)

JUDGE SAYS WEB SITES NOT SUBJECT TO ADA - In a case involving a blind
man and Southwest Airlines, a federal judge recently ruled that the airline is not
compelled by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make its Web site more
accessible to those with disabilities. According to judge Patricia Seitz, the ADA
applies only to physical spaces, not to "virtual" spaces like Web sites. The advocacy
group Access Now had filed the suit against the airline on behalf of Robert Gumson,
who argued that, although he was able to use the Web site to buy plane tickets, it was
"extremely difficult." The suit asked Southwest to modify its site, particularly the
graphics, so Gumson could more easily use the site. The judge's decision presumably
has significance for many other businesses, whose Web sites could have been subject
to ADA standards of accessibility. See: http://news.com.com/2100-1023-962761.html
(CNET, 21 Oct 02 - Edupage 21 Oct 02)