Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2014

Present

  • Stephen Blosser, Chair
  • Graham Pierce, Vice Chair; Webmaster
  • Liza Reynolds, Recording Secretary
  • Brendan Guenther
  • Bryan Baldwin
  • Dave Goodrich
  • Don Morgan
  • James White
  • Jo Silsby
  • Mike Ezzo
  • Nate Evans
  • Paul Heberlein
  • Ranti Junus
  • Rob Pytell
  • Sarah Swierenga
  • Steve Jowett
  • Todd Ring
  • Vi'Nessa Webster
  • Ginger Martz

Minutes

  1. Blosser called meeting to order at 3:05 PM
  2. Vote on minutes from the October 16 and November 6 meeting
  3. Review of draft letter to VP/CIO Joanna Young, which includes requests for funding.
    • Recommendation 1: Statement of need for an individual or group to take responsibility for managing accessible content on campus. Recommendation needs to be made more specific.
    • Recommendation 2: Accessible navigation app that will enable blind students and others to more easily navigate around campus. Can be demonstrated at next meeting.
    • Recommendation 3: Pilot project with University of Illinois e-text. May replace RCPD e-text system.
    • Recommendation 4: RCPD real-time caption team requesting new computers to provide captions to students with hearing impairments.
    • Discussion of technology to facilitate online exams. The RCPD has one computer, but a recommendation could be added to the letter about software such as Kurzweil and JAWS.
    • Discussion of revising the Web Accessibility Policy into a comprehensive Digital Content Accessibility Policy that covers all digital content, not just content located online or transmitted via the Internet.
  4. IT services classroom support plans to request TLE funds for new equipment from Listen Technologies for assisted listening devices (ALDs).
  5. Presentation by Listen Technologies
    • Rob Pytell from AVI Systems introduced Brian Baldwin from Listen Technologies
    • Discussion of current issues MSU is having. There has been some interference in Akers Hall.
    • This system will be able to manage classroom frequencies, etc.
    • Discussed typical solutions for individuals needing hearing assistance: RF-based, IR-based, and induction loop technology
      • IR needs line-of-sight
      • Induction loop creates a magnetic field within the space by streaming a wire around the area you want covered. Limitations: Spaces next to each other would require a lot of work to inhibit crossover of spaces.
      • RF has been around for a long time, legacy system in order to know who has these units. Limitations: Can be bulky, batteries do not have long life, poor sonic quality (high background noise)
    • iDSP (new system)
      • Improved sonic quality and cleaner audio/signal
      • Smaller than an iPhone
      • Port for headphones
      • 12 hours of battery life
      • Charges via USB, which can be plugged into a computer or an outlet
      • Easily replaceable batteries
      • Can be used while charging
      • Has the ability to label rooms for source usage, and the ability to narrow each list for individual students
      • Listen iDSP Software Suite can personalize settings and manage units
    • Mentioned WiFi Personal Listening Service with free downloadable app for smartphones, but also discussed the problems with this service (latency, unreliable WiFi)
  6. Review of draft accessibility language for Purchasing will be discussed at next meeting
  7. The meeting was adjourned (Pierce, Junus) at 4:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Liza R. Reynolds, Recording Secretary