[Trainer-Talk] Possibly OT: need advice for dealing with semi-accessible software

[Debra Lessin]

Hi Deborah
I have been in a similar situation. I do not understand how some sighted
employers and tech people can be so oblivious to the realities of using a
screen reader and at the same time act like they know what they are doing. I
hope some folks on the list have ideas about how to cope with this.
Good luck, I am sure you are doing everything you can.
-----Original Message-----
From: Trainer-Talk [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Deborah Armstrong via Trainer-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 8, 2016 9:09 AM
To: Trainer-Talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Deborah Armstrong <armstrongdeborah at fhda.edu>
Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Possibly OT: need advice for dealing with
semi-accessible software

I work at a college where we use a data management package called Clockwork.
Its website is here:
                http://microscience.on.ca/clockwork/

Even though this software is specialized for tracking post-secondary
disabled students, it has some serious accessibility glitches for screen
reader users.

I have gotten some training from the vendor, but they know little about
screen readers. I know a great deal about screen readers but I didn't know
much about the Clockwork package.

The vendor has added many keyboard shortcuts, and some of Clockwork's
modules have become reasonably accessible. But other modules still are not.
Even though there are keystrokes to accomplish some tasks, the screen reader
often is unable to track the focus so I can't read what I'm searching for or
entering. And even though I of course know how to use a mouse cursor, the
off-screen model seems to capture only part of the data on screen; there are
often missing chunks when I'm reviewing text. The vendor's training person
doesn't know what an off-screen model or focus tracking is, so we can't
communicate about this problem using the same language.

I have complained several times to my supervisor, but she has consulted with
the vendor and they seem to decide each time the problem is I need more
technology training. But when I suggest they have a consultant in access
technology come and assist me, they instead want the vendor to work with me
more. I know people in the college system who will take a fresh look at this
problem but my supervisor tells me to not involve others.

I know JAWS extremely well, NVDA fairly well and WindowEyes well enough to
get by. The behavior of Clockwork is the same with all three screen readers,
except it's most accessible with JAWS. I am the only visually impaired
employee here and have held this job for fifteen years. We just switched
from a paper tracking system to Clockwork two years ago.

The problems are complicated by the vendor being in Canada, and we are in
Silicon valley. When the trainer does "meet" with me, we speak on conference
call. She uses TeamViewer, and insists she's just pressing keys and not
using the mouse to show me how "easy" it is to enter and search for data.
When she did train me in person once she did cheat and pick up the mouse
several times.

My husband says that I should disconnect my screen and mouse and insist my
supervisor try using the system without those crutches. But I know this is
just going to anger her more and solve nothing.

I really need some advice on coping with this in an effective manner.

I'm not sure how to convince people this software really is only partly
accessible and until it is fixed, there are some tasks I can't perform.
Complaining seems to only get me in trouble.

--Debee


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