[nabs-l] inaccessibility in the class may end up costing me apassing grade!

Tue Nov 24 05:29:21 UTC 2015

Hi all,

As for Word 2013, I have not been able to read track changes or
comments in word docs after switching to this most recent version.  I
used to use them all the time in my classes and for my job, but now
all jaws says is something like "comment field" and doesn't read the
comment.  I never allow my documents to be in protected view.  So
maybe Abby is dealing with the same bug I have been.

As for discussion board type websites, yes, they can be accessible.  I
have tested discussions on Blackboard, D2L, and Canvas.  The
Blackboard and D2L discussion boards were both accessible and easy to
follow.  The Canvas one was more difficult to handle, but they have
updated their system so many times since I tested it last that I can't
speak to it now.

On 11/23/15, Anna via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Agreed!  I think that was the only issue here.  But I do wonder for my own
> sake, is there a way to use those discussion board websites with screen
> reader? Or like chatroom kinda websites... I'm not sure what they are
> called? I have had to use them for school before and found it impossible.
>
> Anna
>
>
>
>> On Nov 23, 2015, at 6:43 PM, Arielle Silverman via nabs-l
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Again, track changes comments and protected documents are accessible.
>> Abby simply didn't know the JAWS commands needed to access those
>> materials. Sometimes this learning curve affects sighted students,
>> too. That is why a lot of colleges allow students to get an
>> "incomplete" grade so that students have time to figure things out.
>> I also agree that while we need to continually push for access, there
>> are times when the most practical solution is simply to enlist sighted
>> assistance from a relative, friend, hired reader, professor, or reader
>> provided by disability services. There are times when accessibility is
>> possible, but very inconvenient, or when we simply don't know the
>> appropriate screen reader commands to access the materials. There are
>> other times when accessibility is absent. In these cases, recruiting
>> sighted support, or more knowledgeable blind people, is perfectly
>> appropriate.
>> Arielle
>>
>>> On 11/23/15, Anna via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Abby,
>>> Thanks for the update.  Sounds like you are on track.
>>> I will say Kennedy to your comment.  The NFB is trying to work on this.
>>> Perhaps in this particular situation it may be a simple issue with the
>>> professor, I am not sure.  But all this inaccesibility stuff can be
>>> resolved
>>> if we work for it.  The purpose of Aim High (formerly TEACH act) is to
>>> create guidelines for schools so that we don't have to just keep our
>>> heads
>>> up and not change the situation.  We can change the situation.
>>>
>>> Anna
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Nov 23, 2015, at 5:56 PM, Kennnedy Stomberg via nabs-l
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> You know huys, we seem to be seeing a lot of e-mails on the list about
>>>> inaccessibility in the  classroom. Does anyone else find this
>>>> discouraging?
>>>> Abby, I know you're being as proactive as you can, and I have no doubt
>>>> that people will see that.
>>>> But seriously, it's  kind of a bummer!
>>>> Sorry to complain so much. I know it eoesn't change the situation. I
>>>> think
>>>> the important thing is to keep your head up, and remember that you are
>>>> not
>>>> alone! Because no matter how great the college you attend, there's
>>>> always
>>>> that one profesor that is completely clueless!
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 23, 2015, at 6:38 PM, Abby Bolling via nabs-l
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> the prof gave me a chance to re-do the first paper, but he never gave
>>>>> me
>>>>> a deadline for it. I did email him a final draft of both papers, and
>>>>> he
>>>>> rejected them both b ecause I didn't listen to "his comments." well, if
>>>>> I
>>>>> couldn't read them, how the heck was I supposed to follow them!
>>>>> Anyway. I was going to email the supervisor today anyway, but my
>>>>> prof's
>>>>> email this morning made me take more action (going to ODS/requesting a
>>>>> meeting with the superviser, etc)
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Abby
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/23/2015 7:20 PM, Ashley Bramlett via nabs-l wrote:
>>>>>> Abby,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't have much advice for inaccessible technology. If its possible
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> work with another classmate, that is an option. Also, using a reader
>>>>>> can
>>>>>> do the job too. I know most students cannot afford readers, I was
>>>>>> lucky
>>>>>> in that area. But vr should pay if you cannot. And, there is always
>>>>>> volunteer readers if you trade something; like you buy them lunch for
>>>>>> every time they read or you could do something for them like tutor
>>>>>> them
>>>>>> in a subject in exchange for reading.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As for your english class, yes, I'd push further. Go to the
>>>>>> supervisor
>>>>>> and have a meeting. Remember to keep print  outs of your emails. I'm
>>>>>> wondering though that if final drafts were due, why didn't you say
>>>>>> something sooner? Why didn't you go to his office hours and go over
>>>>>> papers? I know some adjunct professors do not have office hours or
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> not make appointments for those people who have conflicts with office
>>>>>> hours. Maybe this professor is one of them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've also struggled with getting access to comments in papers, so I
>>>>>> understand the frustration. I usually end up using a reader or seeing
>>>>>> the professor in office hours or even if its something small they
>>>>>> wrote,
>>>>>> I'd see them a few minutes after class.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Someone on list said go to the dean. Actually, you need to go up the
>>>>>> chain of command. Going to the dean is not the best idea since the
>>>>>> next
>>>>>> in command is usually not a dean. It varies from college to college
>>>>>> but
>>>>>> usually the next in command is the department chair or an assistant
>>>>>> dean. However, maybe the supervisor can help you. Seems like you have
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> lot to do at the end of the semester to play catch up.
>>>>>> If the supervisor is understanding, he will get the prof to comply
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> also give you a due date for your missing work.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I hope things work out and sorry to learn of yet another inaccessible
>>>>>> online platform.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Abigail M. Bolling
>>>>> Wright State University-2018: Rehabilitation Services
>>>>> Phone: (513) 512-3456
>>>>> Email: bolling.8 at wright.edu
>>>>> Abilities United: Secretary
>>>>> Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users, a chapter of the National
>>>>> Federation
>>>>> of the Blind of Ohio: Secretary
>>>>> "keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart, and just let the
>>>>> music play." (Julie Anderson-Diamond)
>>>>> "Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing
>>>>> like
>>>>> no one is listening, and live like it's Heaven on earth." (William
>>>>> Purkey)
>>>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
>>>>> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
>>>>> obstacles
>>>>> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
>>>>> blindness is not what holds you back.
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7