Presented at 11:15am in Plaza Court 2 on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
#34052Speaker(s)
- Rosie Arcuri, Dawson College, Adaptech Research Network
- Maegan Harvison, , Dawson College, Adaptech Research Network
- Christine Vo, , Dawson College, Adaptech Research Network
- Francesco Salvo, , Dawson College, Adaptech Research Network
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: All Levels
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Among changes in information and communication technologies are mainstream technologies that can be used by students with, and without disabilities as assistive aids. We review the availability and usability of browser extensions and plug-ins for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Recommendations and security tips will be provided.
Abstract
Browser extensions, have become more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Students can use many browser extensions as assistive aids to facilitate the completion of academic tasks. Browser extensions are available for the most popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. Some extensions such as Grammarly are available on all browsers, while some such as Read&Write are browser specific. Though helpful, finding the best extension can be overwhelming. Many do not work well and there is a risk of inadvertently downloading viruses.
The presentation will present the best extensions for post-secondary students with and without disabilities, discuss who can most benefit, and whether they are an alternative to other more expensive assistive technologies. We will also provide information on how to protect oneself from viruses and other malware, while benefiting from the wide array of extensions available.
Keypoints
- Students can use many browser extensions as assistive aids to facilitate the completion of academic tasks.
- Extension selection can be overwhelming due to the abundance of options.
- The quality and security of extensions vary greatly.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Assistive Technology, EPUB Track, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Rosie Arcuri
Rosie has a BA in Psychology and Human Relations from Concordia University. She has experience working with students with disabilities in post-secondary education. She has been on the board of directors of the National Educational Association of Disabled Students and has been a service provider for students with disabilities at junior college.
Maegan Harvison
Maegan Harvison is studying Honours Psychology at Concordia University as of the Fall 2018. She has been involved in organizing an international research conference on disability, has participated in recruiting, interviewing, and note-taking of focus groups, as well as the gathering and coding of qualitative data. She offers a rich student perspective while providing exemplary research-assistant skills. She is interested in further using these skills to better inform pedagogical practices and research.
Christine Vo
Christine is a research assistant and a tech specialist for Adaptech.
Francesco Salvo
Francesco is a student in the psychology profile at Dawson college. He is interested in all aspects of psychology. He wants to gain experience and knowledge in research while working at the Adaptech Research Network.