For children in the 21st century, using a computer is as basic as learning to read or riding a bike. Serotek and Aroga are introducing a program that will put blind children on the same page with their sighted peers -- giving them the ability to use a computer anytime, anywhere, with help from Keys for K - 12.
Imagine your blind child at a friend's house, and the sighted friend wants to demonstrate a cool new site on the Internet or work on a shared science project. Until now, blind kids just felt left out while the other kids looked at the screen.
Now imagine that your child reaches into his backpack or pocket, pulls out a thumb drive, and says, "Hey, let's plug in my key so I can play, too."
Keys for K-12 means a free license to carry the System Access Mobile capabilities on a U3-enabled USB thumb drive. With the SA Mobile software, your student can plug her flash drive into any computer anywhere and have instant access -- through text-to-speech and/or magnification -- to all Windows-based applications already there.
At school, the library, Grandma's house, or a sleepover, a blind child can access the same information on the computer as any sighted student who can see the screen.
A licensed copy of System Access Mobile sells for $599.00 and now students K - 12 can have it for free!
What you need to do:
INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISCARDED.
Download and complete this Eligibility Form certifying visual impairment,
and complete the online KK-12 Application Form.
SUBMIT online application. CLICK ON PRINT THIS FORM. This will produce a signature page. A school official must sign the completed application where indicated. This could be a principal or other school administrator, but it cannot be the student's teacher.
Fax the completed forms to Aroga at (604) 431-7995 with a cover letter on your school's letterhead stating that the documents are to be used for participation in the Keys for K-12 program. Please send all documents together. Any documents sent separately will be discarded.
You may also mail documents to:
Aroga
#150-5055 Joyce Street
Vancouver, BC V5R 6B2
Once eligibility has been verified, an authorization number along with instructions on downloading software to a U3-powered thumb drive will be emailed to the contacts listed on the application form. Please note that the thumb drive is not supplied as part of this program, but can be easily obtained from Aroga for an extra charge. The thumb drive can be as small as 512 MB. It must be U3-powered so be sure to ask for assistance if you're not sure.
System Access for Instructors
If you are an instructor with a student who has applied for the Keys for K-12 program, you may fill out this online form to receive your own instructor's license for System Access. Please note that only one instructor per school is eligible for this free license.
Application for Instructors
Keys For K-12: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Keys for K-12 program?
A: Any student who is enrolled in grades K-12, resides in Canada. and has a certifiable vision impairment may participate in the program.
Q: My child is home-schooled. Is my child still eligible for the Keys for K-12 Program?
A: Yes. If you are able to provide documentation which verifies that your child has been registered as home-schooled, your child is eligible for the Keys for K-12 program.
Q: I’m ready to enroll my child in the Keys for K-12 program. Where do I start?
A: In order to participate in the Keys for K-12 program, you’ll need to provide us with some information and documentation. Visit the Keys for K-12 main page and complete the eligibility form and Keys for K-12 application. Please note that you will need Adobe Reader to open and print the required forms.
Q: I’ve completed the eligibility form and Keys for K-12 application. Where should I send them?
A: When you have completed the required documents and obtained the appropriate signatures, fax them to (604) 431-7997. Alternatively, you may mail your documents to:
Aroga
#150-5055 Joyce Street
Vancouver, BC V5R 6B2
Q: I am a teacher or parent of a child who is visually impaired and wish to train my student on the use of System Access. Where can I start?
A: There are several options for parents and instructors to familiarize themselves with System Access in order to better train their students. The free, web-resident version of System Access may be run at any time by pressing the windows key+r, typing in www.satogo.com and pressing enter. This version of System Access is fully functional, and can be used from any computer with a connection to the Internet. When the program is closed or the Internet connection is lost, System Access to Go will be removed from the computer, leaving no trace of itself behind.
Instructors who have enrolled a student in the Keys for K-12 program are eligible to receive a license of System Access on a U3 key which will be valid for a period of one year from the signup date. Note that only one instructor per school will be eligible to receive this license. To apply, you’ll need the user name or account number Associated with the student who has enrolled in the program.
Q: What is the size of the U3 drive I’ll need to install System Access software?
A: a 512MB drive will be perfectly sufficient for installing the System Access software. You may wish to purchase a larger drive, which can be used not only for System Access but for the storage of documents as well. Please make sure the drive has been enabled with U3 technology, otherwise System Access cannot be installed to it.
Q: I’ve submitted my information and received my account number and pin by email. Now what do I do?
A: The email you receive will provide you with detailed instructions on how to install System Access on your U3 drive. You will need to log in to http://samobile.net with the information you received in the email. You can then download the software through this interface, run the software, and insert your U3 key when prompted.
Q: I have heard about the System Access Mobile Network. Is this a part of the free KK12 program?
A: The System Access Mobile Network does not come as part of the free KK12 license. However, you may obtain a trial of the System Access Mobile Network, Neospeech voices, and document scan. To do this, simply visit the “my account” section of the site after logging in to http://samobile.net, or logging on to the System access Mobile Network from System Access itself.
Q: Where can I get help for System Access?
A: You may access help documentation and audio tutorials at any time directly from System Access by pressing modifier+f, and then pressing h. Note that the modifier key can be insert, capslock, scroll lock, or numpad 0. This documentation is also available online at http://help.samobile.net.
Q: I’d like to learn more about Serotek’s products, such as the System Access Mobile Network and the Neospeech voices. Where can I go to learn more?
A: You may visit the System Access Software Solutions page to read more about Serotek's software products. You may also call Aroga at (604) 431-7997 or toll free at 1-800-561-6222 and speak with one of our helpful representatives who will be happy to help you.
Q: I’ve encountered a problem with System Access. How can I get technical support?
A: If you require technical support, feel free to dial Serotek's support hot line at (650) 249-1000, or Aroga's Technical Support line at 1-800-561-6222.
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Call 1-800-561-6222 for any further questions. |
