[Trainer-Talk] Fwd: Collecting Information for Microsoft's new CAO

[Jeanine Lineback]

I have been asked to circulate the following message.  This also applies to your own personal experience with Microsoft product, even though the below email specifies serving students and adults.

Jeanine Lineback
Begin forwarded message:

> From: "McSorley, Jan" <jan.mcsorley at pearson.com>
> Date: February 16, 2016 at 12:42:29 PM CST
> To: Jeanine Kay Lineback <jeanine.lineback at gmail.com>, Edgar Lozano <lozano.edgar94 at gmail.com>, Su Park <su.park98 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Collecting Information for Microsoft's new CAO
> 
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> I just got off a call with Anne Taylor who, as you know, used to be the Director of Access Technology at the National Federation of the Blind.  She now works for Microsoft and her boss is Microsoft's new Chief Accessibility Officer.
> 
> Anne asked me to compile a list of access barriers in Microsoft products that impede the work I am trying to accomplish at Pearson, but I would like to take this opportunity to get additional feedback from others in the field.  I would love to add your insights and opinions on how Microsoft could help improve education, productivity, etc. of people  with disabilities by making improvements in the accessibility of their products.
> 
> I will be working on a list of ideas for Anne, but if you have any thoughts or feedback on the following questions, I will be sure to share your name(s) as contributors to the list:
> 
> 1. Are there any access barriers to using Microsoft products that make it  difficult for you to serve students or adults with disabilities.  For example:
> Word
> PowerPoint
> Excel
> Windows Operating Systems
> Windows Browsers
> 2.  Is there anything you wish Microsoft products would/could/should do that they are not doing?
> 
> 3.  In your opinion, what should Microsoft's accessibility priorities be?
> 
> Any help or input you could provide would be appreciated.  This is a unique opportunity to get ideas and requests up the chain at Microsoft, so  please don't underestimate the importance of your feedback.
> 
> Please share with others in your network as you see fit.  I will be reviewing the list with Anne Taylor the week of March 22nd, so there is time to reach out to others.
> _________________
> 
> For kids
> 
> Jan McSorley
> Head of Accessibility
> School Line of Business
> Pearson Assessment Centre
> 
> M: (512) 673-9569
> E: jan.mcsorley at pearson.com
> 
> Pearson 
> Always Learning
> Learn more at www.pearsonk12.com 
> 
> We put a man on the moon in the 1960's ... surely we can make information technology fully accessible to people with disabilities.  It can be done ... it must be done ... it will be done!