Posted by Lauren Grossberg on Fri, Jul 30, 2010
Office 2010 was released last month. One of the benefits of the new version of Office is that it combines the best features of Office 2003 and 2007 along with web collaboration features. This is great for the classroom use for peer editing and collaborative projects in the classroom.
Microsoft also strived to make Office 2010 more accessible than previous versions for users with disabilities. One way that they have updated the software is by making it easier for 3rd party software and hardware developers to integrate the use of their assistive technology within Office 2010. This makes the functionality greatly increased with use of compatible tools like screen readers, Braille keyboards, switches, and magnifying programs.
Accessibility Checker
Another new feature for Office 2010 is the Accessibility Checker. The Accessibility Checker is like spell check in the sense that it checks for problems. However, instead of checking for spelling, it checks for ease accessibility when sharing documents. Office 2010 provides all users with a list of areas that should be reviewed and corrected before sharing a document. This includes items such as alternate text for pictures, ensuring tables are easily readable, and other identification features will be checked before a file is shared like headers, author name, and dates. This makes the file easily read by individuals who use screen readers, magnifiers, or evening an individual with learning disabilities. To learn more about the Accessibility Checker, check out this blog post by Microsoft.
Office Online
The Office Live Web Apps allows users to share and collaborate with documents online. Microsoft has also made the online resources more accessible to individuals with disabilities. One way they have done this is by maintaining the presence of the Ribbon (the tool bar) online to be consistent with the desktop version of Office 2010. They have also made the online version compatible with screen readers and high contrast screen modes. The online version is also fully functional through the keyboard commands, for users who may not use a mouse.
Other features to check out in Office 2010
- Backstage View – allows many more options for saving, printing, sharing, and finalizing documents
- Video Triggers – have an effect happen on a slide in PowerPoint before or during a video you have embedded
- Automated Tasks - in Outlook 2010 to make repetitive processes easier – for example, to forward a message you just have to select one button in the Ribbon, which will include the users you most forward to
- Additional Keyboard Shortcuts – additional keyboard shortcuts have been created to reduce the need for the mouse – for example, there are now shortcuts to resize and rotate shapes along with searching through the Ribbon.
- More Cool Features
If your school hasn’t updated since Office 2003 or is using free software like Open Office or Google Apps, I would highly suggest checking out Office 2010. There are many features that make Office 2010 a better option not only for special needs students, but for accessibility, sharing, and for 21st century skills. Office is still the defacto program suite used in industry and it would benefit the students to learn the program they will be using in college and beyond.
Article By: Laura Ketcham
Picture By: San Jose Library
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