Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Mitch Reiss, Student, Ryerson University: Having this formatting, like I said, it levels
the playing ground so it gives me an equal chance to be successful in postsecondary despite
my disability.
Meriana Matta, Student, Seneca College: When I get them on time it's like (laugh)...you
feel so right, it feels so right. So this semester, I'm going to follow straight with
everyone because I got my books on time and it's an amazing feeling because I know nothing
is holding me back.
Alex Low, Student, McMaster University: Having it printed out in alternative format, it's
just my equivalent of doing a textbook note. So obviously if I can't use the textbook,
I can't get all the content I need, I can't be prepared for my lectures, I can't be prepared
for a midterm.
Narrator: Most students can simply get their textbook list, go to the student bookstore
and just buy their texts.
People like Mitch and Meriana have an extra step after they buy their books.
A step that's about to go digital...
Bob Minnery, Manager, AERO: One of the other components of AERO and alternative service
is making sure that the mediums we provide work with the newer technologies; this is
why we have a testing area. What you see here is a Braillant which provides student to receive
the information electronically through the electronic Brailler from the PC.
Narrator: AERO — Alternative Education Resources for Ontario — helps students from Kindergarten
to post doctorate get their textbooks in the digital formats they need, faster and in higher
quality than ever before.
The very first online-service of its kind for postsecondary students in Ontario, the
improved version of AERO is now open to all publicly funded Ontario institutions and North
American publishers. Some major publishers have already joined.
Specialized postsecondary textbooks that used to take weeks and months to produce will now
be available much sooner.
This year alone, AERO will help more than 6,000 postsecondary students with perceptual
disabilities and 8,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Narrator: AERO is a partnership amongst textbook publishers, Ontario's colleges and universities
and the Ontario government.
Bob Minnery: This book turned into a Braille version turns into these 27 volumes. This
is an mp3 Daisy version and this is a Kurzweil version. Also in the Braille version, there
is the tactile copy which is tactile, which can be felt, for the student and we also have
the large print version.
Narrator: Imagine — a centralized province-wide database where, accessible format books will
be available to more students — when they need them.
To continue to improve this service, , the system needs additional users and contributors
Narrator: The more institutions and publishers that use or contribute to the service, the
faster and more efficient it becomes.
Dr. Sheldon Levy, President, Ryerson University: The first thing is to begin by thanking those
publishers that have taken a leadership role. But to the others, this is not only the right
thing to do, it will be good business to do it.
Dr. Terry McQuaid, Acting Director, Student Health, Counseling and Accessibility Services,
Seneca College: It creates a place where students can have easy access to reading materials
so that they feel part of the academic world. In that way, they can focus more of their
energy on the task of learning as opposed to finding a resource.
Sean Dale, Teacher, W. Ross McDonald School for the Visually Impaired and Deafblind: It's
an issue of equity - if the student is going to be successful at a particular course they
have to have the same opportunities as anyone else.
Narrator: A postsecondary education continues to be one of the most important investments
a person can make in themselves and their future.
AERO is part of the province's commitment to ensure every qualified Ontarian can pursue
postsecondary education or training.
And ensuring that all students — beginning from Kindergarten to Grade 12, to postsecondary
education have the tools they need to succeed — like AERO.
Dr. Sheldon Levy: It's much better when you wake up and say we have a responsibility and
we're going to do our best and we're going to work together and by the way, as we do
it, we have complied to AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
Mitch Reiss: Having access to this technology, this adaptive technology, really allows me
to succeed.