Accessible Testing System (ATS)
The Accessible Testing System (ATS) integrates the latest technology and media into an accessible test program that represents a significant step forward in providing equal test accommodations for people with print disabilities and their peers without disabilities.
Testing for the Print-Disabled
The ATS is a computer-voiced test accommodation that provides individuals with print disabilities including those who are blind, low vision, mobility-impaired or have learning and cognitive disabilities, greater access to standardized achievement, high-stakes, and continuing education tests.
| Disability | Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Blind | Advanced computer-generated speech | Higher clarity and greater word recognition with human-like pronunciation |
| Choice of voices for test content and software functions | Easily distinguish between test content and software functions | |
| Low Vision | High resolution magnification up to 16x | Crystal clear text without loss of clarity |
| Adjust background and text color for test content | Improves contrast for ease of reading | |
| Learning & Cognitive Disabled | On-screen highlighting by word, sentence, and section | Visual tracking and synchronized speech maintain focus on content and assist in word recognition |
| Synchronized text and speech | ||
| Mobility-Impaired | Keyboard shortcuts and simplified keystrokes | Navigate the test and confirm answers with greater ease |
Improve Test Taking Productivity
In a pilot study conducted at the 2003 National Federation of the Blind conference, blind and low vision students were excited about the independent experience the ATS provided. The high quality speech and accuracy of pronunciation, along with supporting documents and graphics, permitted them to test with higher speed and productivity, as compared to current testing methods which use a sighted person reading the test aloud, or prerecorded audiocassettes with no supporting graphic material.
Fully Accessible Environment
Access for persons with print disabilities is made possible by the ATS's ability to utilize a set of core features that provide access to test content through a combination of electronic and print materials. The XML-based electronic test file is supported by Large Print, Braille, Verbal Descriptive Narratives and tactile images that all come together seamlessly for the most accurate and effective testing solution to date.
High Degree of Test Security
gh can convert any standardized achievement, high-stakes, and continuing education test into a format that allows a user a completely accessible experience while ensuring the test content's integrity and security. The ATS software is delivered on a Windows XP Embedded platform that restricts the test taker from being able to save or copy any test content. Test data is uploaded in an encrypted format for recording and documenting the user's results, or saving the information to a memory device for secure storage.
Accessible Media Provides Complete Solution
Test content is created through the gh Media Conversion Process (MCP) using a combination of proprietary applications developed by our team of software programmers experienced in the field of disabilities. MCP is a flexible and unique XML-based process that takes inaccessible test content and converts it into accessible materials including:
- An XML-based test file
- Large Print
- Verbal Descriptive Narratives
- Tactile images of graphical content
- Braille
Pretest Materials Enhance Test Experience
Test takers receive a sample test to familiarize themselves with the ATS features and to pre-configure the accessibility options. Upon completion of the setup wizard, the student is issued a profile code that configures the ATS the same way on the day of the test as it was in their practice sessions. This improves the user's comfort level and allows the student to focus on the test content instead of how they take the test.