[nabs-l] Learning Ally

[Chris Nusbaum]

Thank you, Sean! I agree and hope that LA does what they say they 
will do, which I'm optomistic that they will.  I also believe 
that the blind should hold them accountable and make sure that 
their Web site and download manager are accessible once the 
problem is resolved.  I don't know for sure how this would be 
done; maybe NABS and the NABS board could keep in contact with 
Learning Ally staff and give them feedback periodically, or maybe 
we encourage them to apply for the NFB's certification program 
for accessible Web sites.  Whatever we do, I don't want our voice 
to fade away when the current problem we are faced with goes 
away; I think we should work with Learning Ally to keep their 
information accessible so we don't run into these problems again.
Thanks,

Chris

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The 
real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that 
exists.  If a blind person has the proper training and 
opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a mere physical 
nuisance."
-- Kenneth Jernigan

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Whalen" <smwhalenpsp at gmail.com
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 13:42:00 -0600
Subject: [nabs-l] Learning Ally

Dear List,



I just wanted to jump in here to let you all know that the issues 
with the
usability of the Learning Ally website and download manager are 
concerns
that, thanks to Antonio, we are aware of.  We are definitely 
concerned with
the ease of access to books for screen reader users.  It seems 
clear that the
folks at Learning Ally are likewise concerned with the issue 
judging by
their interest in collecting information on the specific problems 
blind
students are having accessing books.



Since the problem has already been brought to the attention of 
Learning Ally
staff, including their chief technical officer, I don't feel that 
any type
of formal communication or complaint from NABS is warranted at 
this time,
especially in light of the apparent willingness of Learning Ally 
to solicit
feedback and address the issue.



As Antonio is personally familiar with the 
accessibility/usability issues,
and has already begun to engage in a dialogue with key staff at 
Learning
Ally, he will continue to serve as the point person on this 
issue, updating
the list and NABS board as necessary.



In the interim, I encourage folks who need immediate access to LA 
books to
call tech support to be walked through the download process.  I 
also
encourage everybody who has experienced difficulty with the 
website and
download manager to voice their concerns and specific problems to 
Learning
Ally by responding to the on-list request for feedback.



Rest assured that NABS will push to ensure the usability of the 
website in a
formal way if required, but I am optimistic that this issue can 
and will be
resolved expeditiously thanks to the work of Antonio, students 
who respond
with feedback on their issues and the Learning Ally staff.



Thanks,



Sean





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