[nfb-talk] standardized test accessibility

[Amelia Dickerson]

I am not sure if the NFB can help me. I am associated with a
university that has offered to proctor the test. The company just
keeps insisting they are concerned about test security. The last time
I spoke with someone there, she told me a letter had been written in
response to my concerns, but she could not actually tell me what was
in the letter over the phone. There was a chance she could email it to
me, but otherwise I have to wait for it in snail mail. If she tells me
they have written a lettter addressing my concerns, but the
coordinator of accomodations cannot tell me what the responses were,
it seems to me that they have not really heard the concerns. I think
they just need some pressure placed on them to give them a little push
up into the 21st century. As i said, the Colorado Department of
Education has been responsive, doing some investigating of their own.
I appreciate that they did not just tell me that this issue was
between me and the testing company. However, I have to wait and see
what the CDE concludes as far as  whether or not I'm making a
reasonable request. I am trying to do some research on policy
statements for various organizations as related to these issues and
also just some neurological/educational research that addresses the
complications introduced when you test someone in a different manner
than how they usually learn and express that learning. Does anyone
know of good resources for this exact kind of material?
Amelia

On 12/23/09, nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org <nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Send nfb-talk mailing list submissions to
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>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: nfb-talk Digest, Vol 19, Issue 20 (pat gormley)
>    2. standardized ttest accessibility (Amelia Dickerson)
>    3. More phones and trial version now supported by KNFB Reader
>       Mobile (James Gashel)
>    4. Re: standardized ttest accessibility (d m gina)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:37:39 -0500
> From: "pat gormley" <kk3f at msn.com>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] nfb-talk Digest, Vol 19, Issue 20
> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP5556296E74FDEE09159A7890810 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> 	reply-type=original
>
> window-eyes costs $895 compared to $1095 for jaws professional.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 1:00 PM
> Subject: nfb-talk Digest, Vol 19, Issue 20
>
>
>> Send nfb-talk mailing list submissions to
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> nfb-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of nfb-talk digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. window-eyes (Ed Meskys)
>>   2. NLS digital player (Ed Meskys)
>>   3. Re: NLS digital player (Sherri)
>>   4. Re: window-eyes (d m gina)
>>   5. Re: NLS digital player (Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E])
>>   6. Re: window-eyes (Sarah Baughn)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:33:21 -0500
>> From: "Ed Meskys" <edmeskys at roadrunner.com>
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] window-eyes
>> To: "Louis Gosselin" <gosselin_louis at myfairpoint.net>
>> Cc: nfb-promotion/evaluation technology list
>> <promotion-technology at nfbnet.org>, nfb-talk <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>,
>> nhblind-talk <nhblind-talk at listserv.icors.org>
>> Message-ID: <470318AFE2F548A0A33334A8D7B1E799 at frodo>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> My son, Stanley, built me a new computer with a Pentium-4 chip and Windows
>>
>> XP to replace my old W98 machine. Next time he visits he will up the ram
>> to 2 Gig. It is working very well, but because XP is the advanced version
>> FS wants an extra $340 from me to not have to run jaws in demo mode. To
>> put it mildly, I am pissed off.
>>
>> Does Windoweyes charge extra for advanced windows? What is the initial
>> cost of WE? I have heard that they will give you a discount if you switch
>> from jfw and turn in your license. How much is this? What do you pay for
>> an SMA for one next version? Does GW require you to buy every version in
>> between should you mess up and fail to get an upgrade?
>>
>> I will write GW to get a current demo to try running alternately with my
>> paid for but demo version of jfw11.
>>
>> Thanks, Ed Meskys.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:10 -0500
>> From: "Ed Meskys" <edmeskys at roadrunner.com>
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] NLS digital player
>> To: "nfb-promotion/evaluation technology list"
>> <promotion-technology at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: nfbnh-board <nh-board at nfbnet.org>, nfb-talk <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>,
>> nfbnh-news <nfb-new-hampshire at nfbnet.org>, "Ann K. Parsons"
>> <akp at portaltutoring.info>
>> Message-ID: <43C9C93FBDB04F0CB0E28F366C0B982B at frodo>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> I just got my new NLS digital player and need some advice on its uses.
>>
>> I asked a lower tier employee at the NH library about how future magazines
>>
>> will be distributed. She said they will be sent out by email, and you will
>>
>> use a USB cable to feed it into a blank digital cartridge in your player.
>> She was not positive about this. Was she correct?
>>
>> If so, when I get a magazine on a CD from an agency like Seeing Eye or
>> Xavier Society, can I transfer it to such a cartridge, for playback in the
>>
>> NLS player? Will I be able to speed this recording up, as I can an NLS
>> book?
>>
>> I understand that today blank cartridges cost around $40, but do not know
>> where to buy one. I am interested in buying one now to last me until
>> prices come down. Can anyone suggest a dealer who would give me a
>> reasonable deal?
>>
>> Thanks, Ed Meskys
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:13:29 -0500
>> From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NLS digital player
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <6748B7E3439D4452A1D23C038D7D66DC at DCB3VNJ1>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> Ed, you can also use a thumb drive. You can put your book on a thumb drive
>> and insert it into your stream where the USB port is and it should work
>> fine.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ed Meskys" <edmeskys at roadrunner.com>
>> To: "nfb-promotion/evaluation technology list"
>> <promotion-technology at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: "nfbnh-board" <nh-board at nfbnet.org>; "nfb-talk" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>;
>> "nfbnh-news" <nfb-new-hampshire at nfbnet.org>; "Ann K. Parsons"
>> <akp at portaltutoring.info>
>> Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 7:43 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] NLS digital player
>>
>>
>>>I just got my new NLS digital player and need some advice on its uses.
>>>
>>> I asked a lower tier employee at the NH library about how future
>>> magazines
>>> will be distributed. She said they will be sent out by email, and you
>>> will
>>> use a USB cable to feed it into a blank digital cartridge in your player.
>>> She was not positive about this. Was she correct?
>>>
>>> If so, when I get a magazine on a CD from an agency like Seeing Eye or
>>> Xavier Society, can I transfer it to such a cartridge, for playback in
>>> the
>>> NLS player? Will I be able to speed this recording up, as I can an NLS
>>> book?
>>>
>>> I understand that today blank cartridges cost around $40, but do not know
>>> where to buy one. I am interested in buying one now to last me until
>>> prices come down. Can anyone suggest a dealer who would give me a
>>> reasonable deal?
>>>
>>> Thanks, Ed Meskys
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:59:29 -0500
>> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] window-eyes
>> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Message-ID: <20091222145929.32443.24624 at web1.serotek.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"
>>
>> I am going on the second year of Serotek.
>> You can pay on different plans.
>> I had problems with jaws as well.
>> I shared with them I wasn't going to upgrade ever again with them.
>> I will stick to my promise.
>> Wishing you the best.
>>
>> --
>> --Dar
>> skype
>> dmgina23
>> every saint has a past
>> every sinner has a future
>>
>> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
>> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:09:31 -0500
>> From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <Terry.Powers at nih.gov>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NLS digital player
>> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List' <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID:
>> <4D33CBF80E0D6040BB226B85E91EA0521B786B7F32 at NIHMLBX06.nih.gov>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> I think Aph has them and I think the other location might be Independent
>> Living aids.
>>
>> Terry Powers
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ed Meskys [mailto:edmeskys at roadrunner.com]
>> Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 7:43 PM
>> To: nfb-promotion/evaluation technology list
>> Cc: nfbnh-board; nfb-talk; nfbnh-news; Ann K. Parsons
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] NLS digital player
>>
>> I just got my new NLS digital player and need some advice on its uses.
>>
>> I asked a lower tier employee at the NH library about how future magazines
>>
>> will be distributed. She said they will be sent out by email, and you will
>>
>> use a USB cable to feed it into a blank digital cartridge in your player.
>> She was not positive about this. Was she correct?
>>
>> If so, when I get a magazine on a CD from an agency like Seeing Eye or
>> Xavier Society, can I transfer it to such a cartridge, for playback in the
>>
>> NLS player? Will I be able to speed this recording up, as I can an NLS
>> book?
>>
>> I understand that today blank cartridges cost around $40, but do not know
>> where to buy one. I am interested in buying one now to last me until
>> prices come down. Can anyone suggest a dealer who would give me a
>> reasonable deal?
>>
>> Thanks, Ed Meskys
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:28:12 -0800
>> From: "Sarah Baughn" <sarahb006 at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] window-eyes
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <A907CF81BBFD4772A4959DB90A741A17 at sarahda0003f21>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> Ed, I don't know the answers to a lot of the questions that you ask, but I
>> do know that one good thing about GW Micro is that you can pay over time,
>> thirty-nine dollars a month and when you buy, they automatically give you
>> the latest version.
>> Sarah
>> If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
>> mountain: "Remove hence to yonder place.", and it shall remove, and
>> nothing
>> shall be impossible unto you.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ed Meskys" <edmeskys at roadrunner.com>
>> To: "Louis Gosselin" <gosselin_louis at myfairpoint.net>
>> Cc: "nfb-promotion/evaluation technology list"
>> <promotion-technology at nfbnet.org>; "nfb-talk" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>;
>> "nhblind-talk" <nhblind-talk at listserv.icors.org>
>> Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 4:33 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] window-eyes
>>
>>
>>> My son, Stanley, built me a new computer with a Pentium-4 chip and
>>> Windows
>>> XP to replace my old W98 machine. Next time he visits he will up the ram
>>> to 2 Gig. It is working very well, but because XP is the advanced version
>>> FS wants an extra $340 from me to not have to run jaws in demo mode. To
>>> put it mildly, I am pissed off.
>>>
>>> Does Windoweyes charge extra for advanced windows? What is the initial
>>> cost of WE? I have heard that they will give you a discount if you switch
>>> from jfw and turn in your license. How much is this? What do you pay for
>>> an SMA for one next version? Does GW require you to buy every version in
>>> between should you mess up and fail to get an upgrade?
>>>
>>> I will write GW to get a current demo to try running alternately with my
>>> paid for but demo version of jfw11.
>>>
>>> Thanks, Ed Meskys.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> End of nfb-talk Digest, Vol 19, Issue 20
>> ****************************************
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:22:23 -0700
> From: Amelia Dickerson <ameliadickerson at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nfb-talk] standardized ttest accessibility
> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> Message-ID:
> 	<fec1761e0912221222k78681fb5i967b31c6fabf028d at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I'm mostly just using this as a forum in which to gripe about being
> refused a standardized test in the accessible format I choose, and to
> see if anyone has any feedback. I am working on teacher licensure in
> Colorado in secondary sociaal studies, part of which requires I take
> the PLACE test. I registered and was promptly told I do not have the
> option of taking an electronic format of the test. I have discussed
> this with the testing company, but they are stone walling and ignoring
> my arguments. Fortunately, the Colorado Department of Education has
> been much more responsive and will potentially put some pressure on
> the testing company. People have been shocked at the idea that I don't
> want to license to teach blind students, but instead all secondary
> students, although I know there are other mainstream teachers who are
> blind in this state. The testing company insists that the only options
> I have are to take the test in braille or to use a reader. This is
> already a 5 hour test, and I am not going to put 80% of my energy on
> test day into reading massive amounts of braille, and I very, very
> much prefer to take tests electronically versus with a reader. I can
> do these things independently, but they are inssisting I depend on a
> human reading the test to me. I struggle to find workk because of
> employers' concerns about what I cannot do, but then other people will
> not let me just do. I have proper documentation from my doctor,
> confirming that I am in deed blind, but I have people asking if my
> doctor said that electronic format was the best way for me to take the
> test. What does my doctor know about that? She is a family doctor who
> can confirm that I am blind, but she doesn't know squat about how I
> maneuver the world. What makes her word into gospel truth on a subject
> I know far more about than she does? I know, I know, these are old
> issues. I'm just always surprised each time I run into situations
> where people who are sighted can be so block-headed about letting me
> do the wide variety of things I really can do. Oy vey.
>
> --
> Amelia Dickerson
>
> What counts can't always be counted, and what can be counted doesn't
> always count.
> Albert Einstein
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:37:14 -0600
> From: "James Gashel" <jim at knfbreader.com> (by way of David Andrews
> 	<dandrews at visi.com>)
> Subject: [nfb-talk] More phones and trial version now supported by
> 	KNFB Reader Mobile
> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
> Message-ID: <auto-000132439649 at mailfront2.g2host.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>
> From: James Gashel [mailto:jim at knfbreader.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:45 PM
> To: Reader users list (reader-users at nfbnet.org)
> Subject: More phones and trial version now supported
>
> All -- Please see the notice below which announces a new release of
> the Mobile Reader software.  This release is limited to adding
> support for several additional Nokia phones and to allow use of a
> trial license for a 14 day free evaluation period.  This release does
> not include other new features, such as color recognition and glare
> detection, which have been discussed and are still being
> developed.  Please note that installation of the release announced
> below is not considered necessary to replace version 6.1.11 since new
> functionality for the Mobile Reader itself is not being added.
>
> NOTICE OF NEW SUPPORTED PHONES AND TRIAL VERSION NOW AVAILABLE
>
> This notice is being distributed to announce two important
> developments intended to make K-NFB Reading Technology's Mobile
> Reader products more widely available throughout the United States
> and around the world.  These changes have also required a new
> release, version 6.3.1, of the Mobile Reader software now available
> for download at knfbreader.com.
>
> Please note that this release does not contain new features or
> functionality aside from supporting additional phones and allowing
> the software to operate for a time-limited trial period.  Therefore,
> installation of this version is not considered necessary for current users.
>
> NEW SUPPORTED PHONES
>
> The phones now supported with the initial release of version 6.3.1
> are the Nokia E71 (best used with the kReader Mobile), N79, N82, N85,
> N86, N95 8 GB, N95 North American model, and the Nokia 6220
> Classic.  Please note that changes in phone models and availability
> must be expected. However, phones which become unavailable from
> suppliers will continue to be supported for use with the Mobile
> Reader software when changes are made to support newer phones and
> models which become available.  This applies at present to the N82
> and the 6220 Classic.  For more information on each of these devices
> please visit our supported phones web page at
> <http://www.knfbreader.com/phone_info.php>http://www.knfbreader.com/phone_info.php
>
> This page includes important information about each supported phone
> as well as links to obtain detailed specifications.  Please check
> back periodically to keep up to date as more phones are added to the
> list.  Checking with various suppliers for availability and price is
> recommended.
>
> TRIAL VERSION
>
> We have been asked to create a means for trying out either the
> kReader Mobile or the knfbReader Mobile before making a purchasing
> decision, which is now possible with version 6.3.1.  The trial is a
> full version of the kReader Mobile or the knfbReader Mobile,
> whichever is chosen, but the activation period is limited to 14
> days.  The procedures used to install and activate the trial version
> are identical to the purchased product, but a special trial license
> must be obtained from an authorized Mobile Reader dealer
>
> http://knfbreader.com/purchase.php
>
> or from K-NFB Reading Technology's technical support service by email
> at: support at knfbreader.com or by phone at: (877) 547-1500.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> James Gashel
> Vice President of Business Development
> K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc.
> Direct phone: (720) 878-4248
> Fax: (781) 263-9999
> Skype: james.gashel
>
> email: jim at knfbreader.com
> http://www.knfbreader.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:07:53 -0500
> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] standardized ttest accessibility
> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> Message-ID: <20091222230753.31011.44250 at web1.serotek.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"
>
> Hello,
> I had a friend Pat Benson who is no longer with us, fight the same
> fight you are fighting.
> She won.
> Yes many blind are teachers, where two of my teachers in school were blind.
> Keep fighting for what you wish.
> Can the federation help you here?
>
> --
> --Dar
> skype
>  dmgina23
>  every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>
>
> End of nfb-talk Digest, Vol 19, Issue 21
> ****************************************
>


-- 
Amelia Dickerson

What counts can't always be counted, and what can be counted doesn't
always count.
Albert Einstein