[blindkid] Excel-labeling everything in a graph with talking software

Tue Oct 3 19:00:52 UTC 2017

I'd like to chime in on the "your kid can do anything" Dr Denise Robinson stated, and yes they can! 

My daughter is proof of it thanks to Dr Robinson. She does all her math on a computer with brl display, now on math 3 and discrete math this semester. Takes all tests on the computer as well, including AP Exam, State Final Exams, SAT and ACT, including all math and chemistry in an accessible format for JAWS, as well as all the class tests just like all other students. 

SAT is accessible when signing up, ACT funny in not a good way is accessible but it's not an option on their site when signing up, it has to be requested in "other" and I been asking to have that changed. AP was a fight with College Board to provide accessibility but got it, and State Final Exam was a strong letter to the Department of Public Instruction, it's the law and needs to be provided. 

Teachers greatly appreciate they don't have to work extra for my daughter, just provide accessibility with formatting, and so keeping up with the rest. 

Dr Robinson opened more doors to my daughter that I only dreamt of with technology! 

Heidi

> On Oct 3, 2017, at 2:36 PM, Traci W via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Great - thanks for that info!  My daughter and I are excited to watch your
> video together.  I know school systems are getting better at allowing
> computers during testing - but how do you get around that if the student
> prefers to perform their math on the computers and a system still doesn't
> allow them during testing?  I do think this will change rapidly though, as
> sighted peers are more and more often tested on computers...
> 
> Thanks again,
> Traci
> 
> 
> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 2:28 PM, Denise M Robinson via blindkid <
> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>> Traci
>> Marianne raises a really good point. Mathxl is a Pearson product. Pearson
>> has just begun the journey of making their products accessible....so be
>> careful with anyone beginning the journey on accessibility
>> 
>> Saying that, excel from elementary is an easy program to learn. I say easy
>> with this in mind--all programs are easy to learn if you have someone who
>> can teach you the commands to do it. They are terrible and impossible if
>> you get someone who does not know all the commands to teach IT ALL and your
>> child will HATE that computer and all programs because they will start to
>> believe the false statements of "blind people just can’t do that" --that is
>> a lie.
>> 
>> My students go from basic math in lower elementary to advanced
>> math--statistic, trig and beyond using excel. At its simplest, students do
>> all their graphing in excel, line up problems to divide and multiple,
>> etc--just like the sighted--I do not teach them formulas until they are in
>> advanced math in HS--it is all their work.
>> 
>> One tiny example I have heard too many times: I picked up a new student
>> this year who is in 6th grade who only knew how to read braille--with one
>> hand because her past TVI told her never to use her left hand, and she did
>> most work verbally, so over summer heavy instruction on her apex and the
>> computer and the programs with the computer. Now that school has started,
>> she is doing graphing in 6th grade so I show her how to do graphing in
>> excel and she said "I thought I would never be able to do graphing" and she
>> has pretty much said this all along the last few months each time she
>> learns a new concept. She is learning she CAN do all this --Because every
>> adult in her background has told her  (minus her parents) "blind people
>> can't do this" now my team and I are telling her the same thing as her
>> parents--"yes, you can!"
>> 
>> One by one, the myths are dispelled.
>> 
>> One thing I so want all parents to know--your child CAN DO ANYTHING and
>> EVERYTHING at the same speed and efficiency as any other child with the
>> right tools and make it even look better and greater using that computer
>> with a braille display and talking software (braille graphics and nemeth
>> under their fingers for science and math with work on computer--so they get
>> the "visual" of what is going on as they output work on their computer with
>> talking software and brl display).
>> 
>> They just have to dream it, and have someone to teach them the commands on
>> that computer and they CAN do it.
>> 
>> That was a long answer for--excel--hands down
>> 
>> Hope this helps
>> 
>> Denise M Robinson TVI, PhD
>> 
>> TechVision Team
>> TechVision Team
>> Specialists in Technology and Training for the blind & visually impaired
>> 
>> 
>> 425-220-6935
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne
>> Denning via blindkid
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 2:02 PM
>> To: Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children) <
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Excel-labeling everything in a graph with talking
>> software
>> 
>> I am not Denise but I have a question. Is Math ML accessible with a screen
>> reader? If not, then it really isn't an option. It would be the way I could
>> get the math information in Braille but then I would need to find a way to
>> solve the problems and get my work to the teacher without a middle person.
>> 
>> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 12:52 PM, Traci W via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Denise,
>>> 
>>> I'm curious if you see Excel or MathML as the most effective way for a
>>> blind student to progress through her math studies.  My daughter is in
>>> 7th and still on the perkins brailler, which has its merits, but I'm
>>> wondering how you decide which path to take..
>>> 
>>> Thank you!
>>> Traci Wilkerson
>>> 
>>> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&
>>> utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
>>> Virus-free.
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>>> 
>>> On Mon, Sep 18, 2017 at 9:38 AM, Dr. Denise M Robinson via blindkid <
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Here are the answers to how our low vision and blind students can do
>>>> all math in excel and make beautiful graphs. Truly a braille display
>>>> needs to be attached to reconfirm anything they hear and also the
>>>> items they do
>>> not
>>>> hear. Many more Youtube videos on this at the TechVision channel:
>>>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7YW7Ves0phCwCOtaZ3wWFw
>>>> 
>>>> Here is the excel video: https://youtu.be/Gnm_WMrNaZ8
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> *Dr Denise M Robinson*
>>>> 
>>>> Denise M Robinson, TVI, PhD
>>>> 
>>>> Specialist-Technology/Blind Skills | Teacher of the Blind and
>>>> Visually Impaired
>>>> 425-220-6935 | www.yourtechvision.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> “Helping the visually impaired see their world changed through
>>> technology”
>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Traci Wilkerson
>>> Cell – 919-971-6526
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>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>> (513) 607-6053
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Traci Wilkerson
> Cell – 919-971-6526
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