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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Inaccessible on-line learning materials begin in
Kindergarten. Many schools use the Accelerated Reader program. Last
year in 5th grade my son's history curriculum was on line in an inaccessible
format. Most often the solution has been to read the materials to
him. His history teacher would often exempt him from work. It is a
huge problem that is only getting worse. Even though there is a textbook
law, many schools don't use the textbooks they buy. I reported this lack
of access to the curriculum on the NFB books on time survey. I hope more
people talk about this and that this issue is brought to the forefront because
it is obviously getting worse fast.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sally Thomas</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=rjharrell@gmail.com href="mailto:rjharrell@gmail.com">Rene
Harrell</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=blindkid@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:blindkid@nfbnet.org">NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents
of blind children)</A> ; <A title=pibe-division@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:pibe-division@nfbnet.org">Professionals in Blindness Education
Division List</A> ; <A title=pobc-presidents@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:pobc-presidents@nfbnet.org">Parents of Blind Children State
Presidents List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:51
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Pibe-division] inaccessible
online classrooms/assessments etc.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Can we discuss online learning and assessments a bit? I'd love
some more information and feedback on this topic.<BR><BR>It's come up recently
in my State about a growing problem with online curricula and assessments not
being accessible to blind/low-vision children who need to use screen readers
or magnification software. I know there was a discussion on a parent listerv
that encompasses all disabilities about a family that was attempting to use
K-12 for their homeschool program, but could not because it is not accessible
to blind children. When called, the company said it was a "copyright" issue
and could not make their program compatible with screen readers. I've heard
from a smattering of other parents about tests that have had to be modified
because they were online in an inaccessible format.<BR><BR>There was quite a
discussion going on about this today on a policy/educator level. TVIs are
expressing frustration that more and more of the school districts are turning
to online curricula and assessments, but they are inaccessible to blind
children. They complain to the school, but the school says it is a vendor
issue. So far, complaints to vendors haven't brought about any changes to the
current software being used and distributed. <BR><BR>My daughter is
homeschooled so this is an issue I have not had to confront or deal with
personally. But, it seems to be a growing problem for students and teachers
here, and they're trying to figure out what they can do about it. I'd love to
hear about how others have worked around this issue, or if this has been a
problem for anyone else? Are these software companies violating ADA for making
their programs inaccessible? <BR><BR>As more and more colleges turn towards
online formats, and K-12 school districts follow suit, I wonder if we're going
to see this become a growing issue in the years ahead? What kind of steps can
we take to be proactive on this issue? <BR><BR>Wisdom and thoughts are
appreciated. <BR><BR>:-)<BR>Rene<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR clear=all><BR>-- <BR>" I
may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I
needed to be."<BR>-- Douglas Adam<BR><BR>
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