Summer 2007 Table of Contents
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Technology Brings Us All Together

By Dawn Adams, Consultant for the Visually Impaired, Region VIII Education Service Center, Mount Pleasant, TX

Abstract: This article describes the annual Technology Olympics for visually impaired students in Region 8, in northeast Texas. It includes a description of the various technology skills that are tested, as well as how the events are organized and coordinated.

Key Words: Programming, blind, visually impaired, deafblind, technology, Technology Olympics, computer skills, Braille writing

In the spring of each year the Region 8 ESC conference center and computer labs are alive with the sound of students with visual impairments coming to compete in the Annual VI Technology Olympics. All year long students use their assistive technology devices in school and then come to show off their skills. The contest is not so much a competition against each other as it is against oneself. The idea is that students improve their skills from year to year and gain skills in using new assistive devices and software.

Students may compete in two events. They may choose from: PC Access (Levels 1, 2, or 3), Magnifier (Levels 1 and 2), Telescope, Portable CCTV, Braille Notetaker (Levels 1 and 2), Braille Writing (Levels 1-4), Abacus (Levels 1-3), or Scanner Competition. The PC Access event covers a large array of skills. Level 1 is the most basic and requires opening a file in Word, typing text into the document, and saving it. Level 2 involves editing text and such things as inserting pictures or objects. And Level 3 is an ever-changing event for students who are advanced in their computing skills. It also encourages students to become familiar with several programs in the Microsoft package, including Word, Internet Explorer, Excel, and Power Point. In years past students were given a theme such as “My Dream Vacation” and they had to use the internet to research everything they would need to know to plan this vacation. Then they created a Power Point presentation containing all the information – including pictures and sound clips that were available. This year the Level 3 is requiring students to be able to use spreadsheets in Excel, create charts and graphs of data, and use formulas.

The Magnifier, Telescope, and Portable CCTV competitions require students to use their prescribed low vision devices to access print from various sources. For the Portable CCTV event students must also demonstrate writing using the device. Level 1 of the Magnifier event is for younger students or non-readers and mostly uses pictures instead of words for the test – such as finding specific items in the “I Spy” books. Sources of print for the other events include product labels, CD album covers, menus, phone books, etc.

The Braille Notetaker competition is similar to the PC Access events in that it requires word processing skills using FS Edit or Pocket Word, using the appointment calendar, and saving and retrieving files from a compact flash card or USB device. The skills needed to compete in this event are gradually expanding as the students become more proficient in using various features of Braille notetakers. Since most Braille students in our region use a PAC Mate as their notetaking device, the competition could actually be called the “PAC Mate Contest”, but the competition is open to students using other Braille notetakers also.

The other events in the Technology Olympics are self-explanatory as far as the skills required. The braille writing contests require students to use either uncontracted or contracted Braille, depending on where they are with the acquisition of literary braille and Nemeth Code. They use a Perkins Brailler to take the tests for Braille writing.

There are two other events that are very special. One is the T-Shirt Design contest where students develop a theme for the current year’s event and design a graphic for the T-Shirts. As you can guess by the title of this article, last year’s theme was “Technology Brings Us All Together.” The graphic was a globe with hands around it. This was not a piece of clip art – it was designed solely by a student in Paris, Texas. The Screen Graphics shop in Paris is always happy to do the shirts for us at a discounted price, and they allow us to use two colors of ink. Students are given their shirts when they sign in, and many just slip the shirt on over what they are wearing and wear them throughout the Olympics.

The other special event of our Technology Olympics is the Overall Trophy event. The winner gets a huge trophy with his or her name inscribed on it, and it is displayed in the school’s trophy case until the next year. Students competing for this trophy are required to build a Technology Portfolio demonstrating skills in a variety of technology applications including email, internet, etc. New for this year’s contest, students must write a paragraph on Cyber Safety and how to be safe online. They must also place in the 1st or 2nd Division in all the events in which they compete and must demonstrate a typing speed of at least 30 words per minute. All students competing in any of the PC events are also given a timed typing test, as we have identified that improvement in this area is a need for academic students throughout the region. Winners from the past two years include students from Hughes Springs ISD and Rivercrest ISD.

We have developed scoring guides for each event and students may place in one of four categories. Students are competing against pre-determined criteria. First Division winners receive a beautiful trophy, Second Division Winners receive a medal, Third Division winners receive a colorful ribbon, and all others receive a participation ribbon. Donations are solicited from local businesses and community organizations and agencies to cover the costs of the awards, t-shirts, and lunch. The judges include VI teachers and technology consultants. Our primary supporters have been Pilgrim’s Pride, the Division of Blind Services (DBS) of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and the Paris Lions Club. Our volunteers make things run smoothly and include parents, school district staff members, and Special Services and Technology Services staff from ESC 8.

Last year’s awards banquet was unique and very special! One of our students with multiple disabilities performed a solo to “The Star Spangled Banner.” Students and volunteers listened with hands over their hearts – and it was so moving that there was not a dry eye in the room! It was awesome! And what’s more – the students created and sang a theme song. The lyrics are:

“If we all work together, work together
If we all work together how proud we will be.
For technology has brought us all here
To demonstrate our skills.
If we all work together how proud we will be!”

What more is there to say?

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Last Revision: October 4, 2007