[nabs-l] Blackboard and MyMathLab

[Bryan Duarte]

Hello Danielle,

I use Blackboard and have had to use my math lab through out my college career and here is what I have found to be the case for me.

Blackboard:
• This course management tool is accessible with a screen reader but there are some difficult things to navigate independently. Everything from grades to assignments, and discussion boards are accessed through Blackboard but since every professor can and does set it up the way they want it some times it is tricky to locate where they are posting some course material. I use a Mac with voiceover and things are accessible but I would recommend that you spend some time at the beginning of each semester getting familiar with the way each of your professors set things up for their course. 
• Accessing grades is some what of a pain some times because it is a big table with each assignment within and the professor can chose to include or exclude whatever they want as far as what shows and how the grades are calculated.
• discussion boards are accessible but they are very cumbersome once there are several threads and posts within threads. I have found it is best to subscribe to the discussion board posts within Blackboard so they posts are sent to you via email then when you need to reply you can simply click on the link and it will take you to the posting. Posting your own thread or post is doable though.
• I have never had much luck using the submission feature of Blackboard. I can access the feature but for some reason it is hit or miss if the upload is actually sent. I would recommend you give this a try but in the end I would follow up with the professor to ensure the received your submission, and/or just ask if you would be permitted to email it instead.

My Math Lab:
• In my experience as a total blind person I was unable to use My Math Lab. The site is accessible if you want to say that but the equations and formulas are not. I would highly recommend that you contact your state counselor or whatever RSA service you are with and ask them to hire a tutor/proctor for you for the math you are taking. You may learn much better if you can sit with this person to complete the assignments and they can also proctor your exams. I did this for each of my math classes and I have completed Calculus 1, 2, 3, linear Algebra, Dif Eq, and it worked great for me.

I hope this helps you out and congratulations on beginning your college career!
Go Devils!

Bryan Duarte
ASU Software Engineering
QwikEyes CEO

> On Aug 3, 2015, at 7:30 PM, Danielle Sykora via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I will be beginning college in several weeks and I know my school uses
> Blackboard and MyMathLab. I was wondering how accessible you have
> found these programs. Any tips for making these programs more
> efficient?
> 
> Danielle
> 
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