[nfbcs] A+ Certification

Fri Apr 28 15:01:23 UTC 2017

Hi,

That wasn't clear, the testing company will not assign someone to read a
computing exam that has zero knowledge about computing terms.
The testing company will provide a reader that knows the subject, just don't
expect the person to answer any questions.
All they do is read the question and answer then click next.
What is not an option is having the chance to reject the reader just because
you don't like them.
Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Moore via
nfbcs
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 9:30 AM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
Cc: Tom Moore
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] A+ Certification

Yes, the testing company contracted with a local temp agency to send someone
out to read the test for me.
They are required to do this just as the same a doctor's offices are
required to do this when they need an impartial party to help with a
patient.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bryan Schulz via
nfbcs
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 9:16 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bryan Schulz <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] A+ Certification

Hi,

That is not an option. The testing company is not going to provide someone
who knows nothing about computers. That would be even more fair as you can't
ask anything other than repeating the questions and answers anyway!
Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Doug Lee via
nfbcs
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 3:09 PM
To: Robert Spangler via nfbcs
Cc: Doug Lee
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] A+ Certification

My college experience showed me that a reader can be a fair accommodation,
provided that I can choose the reader. There are at least two elements of
this: reader skill in handling the material, and communication efficiency
between you and the reader. I would be willing to take a test with a reader
provided that I could work with the reader in advance and pass or fail him
or her for the job. Outside of that, I would agree with you that you need
better accommodations.

Do you have the option of either providing your own reader or working in
advance with and choosing your reader from selected candidates?

I'll also mention in passing that screen reader accessibility of testing
software can be at least as much a wildcard as the capabilities of a human
assistant. All the JAWS skills in the world won't help you if page 2 of the
test says of a line of pictures, "Which of these depicts a correct circuit
for a power transformer?"

On Thu, Apr 27, 2017 at 03:33:09PM -0400, NFBCS mailing list wrote:
Hello:

I find your tone to be confrontational, telling me what I do and don't
understand.  I absolutely understand a time limit, I'm just trying to get
the accommodations that will afford me the same access as anyone else.  I
have done it before.  Also, as I mentioned prior, this same thing was an
issue a few years back with someone who wanted to take the Bar exam I
believe it was with JAWS.  If it was resolved that they were able to do
this, then why can't we for the A+ exam?  The only gamestopper I can see is
if there are flash simulators or something that are not accessible.  

I'm sorry, but using a human reader under normal time is not a fair
accommodation and would put me or any other blind test taker at a
significant disadvantage.  If I must use a reader, then I will request
additional time which, by the way, is an option on the accommodations
request site.

Thanks,
Robert

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bryan Schulz via
nfbcs
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 2:47 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bryan Schulz <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] A+ Certification

Hi,

I explained it before and you still don't understand what a time limit is.
Even with being allowed double time, you won't be able to complete both
exams because of the interface even if allowed to install jaws which isn't
an option.
Depending on how much you study, both exams can be passed with only normal
time and a reader.
What type of jobs do you hope to apply for?
Obtaining a+ didn't help one bit to obtain a help desk position.
Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Spangler
via nfbcs
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:38 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
Cc: Robert Spangler; 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'
Subject: [nfbcs] A+ Certification

Hello everyone:

I will be applying to take the A+ certification exam.  I know I asked about
this a while back.  Someone responded and told me that the only
accommodation that they will offer for this exam is a human reader, which to
me is not acceptable.  I would prefer to take the exam on a computer with
JAWS/NVDA.  I know this same issue was brought up with the BAR exam and it
was solved through litigation.  I am prepared to raise the same stink in
regards to blind people receiving fair and just accommodations.  I would
like your opinions - is it worth it?  Why wasn't the decision on the BAR
exam case binding on other testing companies?  If I did succeed in being
able to take the exam on the computer with a screen reader, would the exam
be accessible?  I look forward to your responses.  I'm getting pretty damn
fed up with the belief that a human reader is providing equal access.

On the other hand, there is part of me that just wants to take the exam and
get it over with...

--
Robert Spangler
Secretary, Miami Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Ohio Spangler.robert at gmail.com

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-- 
Doug Lee                 dgl at dlee.org                http://www.dlee.org
SSB BART Group           doug.lee at ssbbartgroup.com
http://www.ssbbartgroup.com
Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that itwill never begin.
-- Grace Hansen

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