[Ncabs] Google Accessibility

Sat Apr 6 18:08:50 UTC 2013

Alan,

While I agree with your final point that we should focus on the source
of the PDFs, I just want to clarify something that you said to
eliminate the chance of misunderstandings.  You said, “if you can't
force Google directly to make Google Scolar accessible [...]”.  As of
now, the interface to search for scholarly articles through Google,
the entirety of Google Scholar, is accessible using the major screen
readers.

If we are interested in attempting to make a positive change in the
accessibility of scholarly articles, we should focus on the
organizations that run the journals and conferences that publish these
works.  Just to draw a distinction, PDF libraries such as JSTOR,
Ebsco, etc, only collect PDFs from journals and conferences, while
organizations such as the IEEE and ACM actually publish the papers.

Sean

On 4/6/13, Alan A. Chase <aachase1 at gmail.com> wrote:
> What I meant by the comment you quoted was this...
>
> Google is a private company that is likely not covered under the American's
> with Disabilities Act, Section 504, or any other applicable legislation.
> If students are using google for research purposes, which is an educational
> activity, then the duty to provide accessibility falls back on the college,
> which in all most every instance would need to comply with applicable
> federal law.  So, my logic here is if you can't force google directly to
> make Google Scolar accessible, then you take aim at those who must comply
> and can force Google.
>
> I'm supporting my claim with cases from the U.S. Department of Justice in
> which either mediation settlements or federal district court rulings have
> found that the use of inaccessible ereaders are a violation of title two of
> the ADA.
>
> Now, to draw it all back together, if these PDFs are inaccessible when they
> come from the publisher then once again it should be the duty of the
> college to demand from the services that provide electronic access for
> their libraries that the PDFs come in an accessible format from the start.
>
> Good conversation here you all!  Be sure to call and voice your input.
>
> Alan
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 10:44 AM, Sean Mealin <spmealin at ncsu.edu> wrote:
>
>> Sorry, can you please clarify what you mean by “the colleges can put
>> pressure on google to act in better faith of compliance?”
>>
>> Google has absolutely no control over content, therefore pressuring
>> Google Scholar would be wasted effort.
>>
>>
>> On 4/6/13, Alan A. Chase <aachase1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > Yes, Jewel, Google Scholar is what links you to articles from a search.
>> >
>> > The important thing here to note that is while Google doesn't control
>> > the
>> > accessibility of these documents it can control which documents it
>> > links
>> > to.  Higher education institutions are required to provide materials in
>> > accessible formats and if an institution, such as Wake Tech, chooses to
>> use
>> > Google the college has an obligation to ensure the accessibility.
>> > Thus,
>> > the colleges can put pressure on google to act in better faith of
>> > compliance.
>> >
>> >
>> > On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 3:37 PM, Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Is Google Scholar the source of the scholarly journal articles that
>> >> come up in search results? I just want to check before making that
>> >> assumption! Almost all of those journal articles are inaccessible PDFs
>> >> from my experience, so if this is what is meant by Google Scholar, you
>> >> can count me in to call about it.
>> >> Later,
>> >> Jewel
>> >>
>> >> On 4/4/13, Alan A. Chase <aachase1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> > The NFB wants to see what can be done to address the problem of the
>> >> > inaccessibility of Google Apps in the workplace and on campus.  To
>> that
>> >> > end,
>> >> > the NFB would like to hear from employees or students - by telephone
>> >> only -
>> >> > who have experienced inaccessibility with any of Google's
>> applications,
>> >> > including but not limited to the following:
>> >> >
>> >> > Google Docs
>> >> > Gmail
>> >> > Google Calendar
>> >> > Google Slides
>> >> > Google Plus
>> >> > Google Chat
>> >> > Google Scholar
>> >> >
>> >> > If you have encountered such difficulties and would like to help us,
>> DO
>> >> NOT
>> >> > RESPOND BY EMAIL, but instead please call Valerie Yingling at
>> >> > 410-659-9314 x2440.
>> >> >
>> >> > --
>> >> > *Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.*
>> >> > Occupational Course of Study Teacher, New Hanover County Schools
>> >> > Program Coordinator, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
>> >> > President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students
>> >> > Secretary, Governor Morehead School Alumni Association
>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >
>> >>
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>> >> >
>> >>
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > *Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.*
>> > Occupational Course of Study Teacher, New Hanover County Schools
>> > Program Coordinator, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
>> > President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students
>> > Secretary, Governor Morehead School Alumni Association
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Ncabs mailing list
>> > Ncabs at nfbnet.org
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Sean Mealin
>> spmealin at ncsu.edu
>> (336) 772-2507
>> http://www4.ncsu.edu/~spmealin/
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> *Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.*
> Occupational Course of Study Teacher, New Hanover County Schools
> Program Coordinator, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
> President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students
> Secretary, Governor Morehead School Alumni Association
> _______________________________________________
> Ncabs mailing list
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-- 
Sean Mealin
spmealin at ncsu.edu
(336) 772-2507
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~spmealin/