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

Tue Nov 24 05:52:23 UTC 2015

Hi Julie. Have you tried bringing up the full list of comments with
control-shift-apostrophe? Even if it won't read each comment at its
place in the document, I think Word 2013 still lets you read the
comment list. Also, I'm pretty sure you can arrow through the list and
press enter on a comment to see where it's located in the document.
Arielle

On 11/23/15, Julie McGinnity via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
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