[blindlaw] In regard to Kaplan test prep and admissions:

Wed May 12 18:18:14 UTC 2010

Yes, it is difficult to get the right accommodations.  The instructors are 
very sympathetic to the situation, but it is pretty difficult to get anyone 
who can help to become involved.

Kaplan was suggested by another partially sighted candidate, but he was able 
to use ZoomText to get past the hurdles.  I have a completely different set 
of issues.

I feel pretty confident that I can do well on the test without them by 
reading books and practicing, but wanted the extra help and tricks that they 
offer.  The Bureau of Blind Services, here in Chicago, paid the tab for the 
class, but I hate to waste their money.  It will work out, but I may not be 
ready by June 7.  I will consider it all a learning process and practice for 
the next test if I do not score well enough.

Thanks,
Tom
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William ODonnell" <william.odonnell1 at yahoo.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 10:53 AM
Subject: [blindlaw] In regard to Kaplan test prep and admissions:

> Tom, do not use Kaplan test prep and admissions!  I used them for 
> preparing to take the GRE in 2009.  I have had the same problems of 
> inaccessible course material, as well as an inability to utilize the 
> online component.  I was told that they were working on improving there 
> services and were aware that there material was inaccessible and not 
> usable to blind people.  I also had inaccessible material with written 
> computer language in the PDFS that needed formatting.  This was never done 
> and I never received adequate course materials.  They had no problem 
> taking my credit card info for course registration and fees of up to 
> $2500.  Instead of preparing for the GRE in 5 weeks, it took me five 
> months since I was working with private readers, and a understanding 
> Kaplan tutor.  The only compensation from Kaplan was to offer me free 
> tutoring sessions in late November and early December since I felt I was 
> not ready to take the GRE.  Kaplan has reports on
> ri-poffreport and the major consumer complaints websites.  Kaplan is a 
> perfect example of Corporate Americas Greed.  William E. Bets is a 
> disability accommodations attorney who requires a $500.00 retainer fee.  I 
> did not pay this since I did not have this available at this time.  I 
> posted the following to the list last year.
> The below information involves my experiences while studying for the 
> Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  I want to make all reading this aware 
> of a major problem with Kaplan Test prep.
> To those who are blind or visually impaired who want or are taking the 
> prep courses for the GRE.  Take the prep courses on your own with a 
> private tutor.  Do not take a class through Kaplan.  You and any one 
> supporting you will not get the $1100.00 you paid for since both the 
> website is inaccessible and you are not given proper accessible course 
> material in alternative formats usable to a screen-reader or screen 
> magnification program in a timely manor.
> The course requires individuals to utilize the textbook and internet 
> resources in an interactive classroom setting where the instructor 
> demonstrates concepts and the students read or openly discuss specific 
> examples from the text in the textbook.
> Even working through the representatives of the local Kaplan centers, the 
> issues fall back on Kaplan as a corporation since you are lead to believe 
> that you are the first blind or visually in pared person that Kaplan has 
> come across.  With a founding some 50+ years ago, I believe that Kaplan 
> has had more than one visually impaired or blind person register for its 
> courses.
> Kaplan has a refund policy which clearly states that one is not able to 
> get a full refund after the third course session.  The initial diagnostic 
> examination counts as the first course.  Kaplan is more than willing to 
> make standard accommodations to those who require them for this.  When one 
> chooses to obtain help through representatives from Kaplan for there 
> accessibility issues, the representatives will diligently work with you 
> once one has completed two consecutive class sessions.  This means that 
> the deadline for any refunds has passed.
> Regarding the kaptest.com website, do not be mislead.  The main page is 
> completely accessible.  The accessibility issues come up once you register 
> and are able to create a student account.  A student account can only be 
> completed once one has authorized either a classroom instruction or 
> tutoring session with a major credit card.  The accessibility issues 
> result from the personal student portals being formatted to support flash 
> content and the lack of Kaplan integrating the website accessibility 
> standards referred to as the W3c.org/waiweb access initiative and /TR 
> technical reference pages through adobe systems.
> Unless one has there own personal equipment to utilize, one is not able to 
> utilize there local Kaplan center’s equipment since none of the centers 
> have any accessible screen magnifications or screen reading software on 
> sight.
> In addition, for those who choose to study and prepare for the GRE through 
> there local colleges or universities, those individuals would have the 
> same problems since the teachings and course related material is still 
> channeled through Kaplan and not the local colleges or University.  Kaplan 
> out sources itself within local colleges and universities to offer there 
> programs since Kaplan is a monopoly as a service provider.
> Kaplan’s main headquarters are located in New York City, a place so 
> diverse yet so segregated to those few who possess special personal 
> corporate interests or political clout.  .
> I hope this information is helpful to you.
>
>
>
>
>
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