yes; and of course it works regardless of which screen reader or browser you are using. Chip _____ From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lynn Evans Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:33 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses We had a short discussion a good wile back on the BARD Talk mailing list on how to download and transfer books. We had people asking us to tell them the keystrokes they would need to perform these tasks. Someone on the list figured out it would take something like 65 keystrokes to accomplish this. Would not it be better to teach people the method and reasons so the person could transfer the info from one operating system to another? Give general directions like open the browser to the website, log in, type your search query in to the search field or locate your book. This way no matter what website you are on the procedures are the same? ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Atkins <mailto:catkins@xxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:11 AM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses Excellent points Chip! Suggestion: Perhaps we should convey these thoughts to those in the field of education concerned about our struggle for equality as blind citizens of this great country? Maybe everybody should send this string to one very very close friend, instructor,and various other important ongoing contacts in our lives? Any other such thoughts anyone? ----- Original Message ----- From: Allison and <mailto:acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx> Chip Orange To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 11:01 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses I think I finally understand Charles' point: we should have an alternate way of taking remote classes which doesn't require so much technical sophistication. I agree; how about simply having the audio from the classes piped into phone line number (a conference call line) where students could call and listen? live or to recordings? I did that once at work with a company who knew their remote seminar software wasn't accessible, so they made the audio of live classes available on a conference call line. I don't know what else to say: remote learning is really hard to do. maybe you could get them to do the hadley approach where they mailed the students all the needed materials. But even for the technically sophisticates, if you're blind, I think there will be many remote learning situations which won't work. Not until we get all computer professionals on board with the technical points behind accessibility, and all business people get the idea that the ADA applies to everything public on the web (and it looks to me that the legal interpretation is moving in that direction). Chip _____ From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Governor Staten Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 9:04 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses for those who can't learn it, we can help you. How will you know if you don't receive proper instruction on it? It's like having the race rigged against you before you even run out of the blocks. Speech recognition might offer you hope too. On 6/25/2011 7:29 PM, Charles Atkins wrote: I love the computer and what it stands for, great tool! The best. Had it come as an organ in our bodies, we'd all get it! Teachers can tell some students a million times through an entire life time, and yet, many many many still won't get it by default gentlemen and others! They are not stupid! It is just not what they are cut out for! Technology is just you guys forte and thank God there are some of you around, usually to tell the others what to do! Technology is here, I'm sure to stay, as it should, but, I pray, someday, the computer evolves and become automatic (every single function). Thanks for listening! ----- Original Message ----- From: Allison and Chip Orange <mailto:acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 7:03 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses this is a very very good point Governor! I've seen some assistive technology instructors simply giving the student keystrokes to memorize, with no explanation as to which ones were a screen reader command, and which (such as windows-M or even tabbing between controls of a dialog) were windows commands, and so would work for sighted people or with another screen reader. Place such students in a slightly different environment (say with another screen reader), and they have no idea what they can and can't use. Chip _____ From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Governor Staten Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 2:47 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses There is a deeper problem here too. When you teach a person how to use a screen reader and not the operating system, Windows for example, you're headed for trouble. They rely on that screen reader to do everything for them. Learn Windows first, and then, learn screen reader commands on top of that. What makes something accessible? It could be that you might not know what you need to know to use the site, or it could truly be inaccessible. Which scenario are we talking about here? On 6/25/2011 12:44 PM, Charles Atkins wrote: I know Hadley is cool; I had classes with them before! I'm more worried that, more than should have to, students that are visually impaired are not, independently, sailing and are needing outside assistance far too often and instructors are being permitted to feel comfortable with having them do it. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn Evans <mailto:evans-lynn@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 12:33 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses It is hard to say Charles The classes over the internet would be 100% accessible. The Excel class They mailed me the workbook and I used my CCTV and emailed them my test. I thought it was quite accessible. The coarse on the Old Testament was on audio tape and I emailed them the test. Hadley is the school for the blind so it has to be accessible. ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Atkins <mailto:catkins@xxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 8:38 AM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses But how would you score Lynn? And: Thanks! ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn <mailto:evans-lynn@xxxxxxxxxxx> Evans To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 8:24 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses Let's not forget The Hadley school has computer classes and they are free. I beta tested an Excel coarse a few years ago and learned a lot. coarse listings at: http://www.hadley.edu/2_g_CourseCatalog.asp ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Atkins <mailto:catkins@xxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 4:21 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses To add: Some people can't really get the "technical" theory together but, need the computer just as much as the rest of the world does. For them, a series of nice recordings of skilled users of Jaws and other speech and audible program, succeeding and sort of describing as they are going along so, would, I believe, be an enormous help. A very thoughtful world would realize that by default, many, won't be able to be adept at using computers, just as, many, will! Everybody can breathe and eat and such, but, everybody can't perform all skills with an equal degree of proficiency. I've known many people with all of their vision, and other faculties, but, couldn't even, drive a car, nor, swim and more! ----- Original Message ----- From: Tinetta Cooper <mailto:lilheart@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 12:25 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses I would score accessibility as an 8. Are you doing a survey? ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Atkins <mailto:catkins@xxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 10:47 AM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses Are you prepared to say, then: From 1 to 10, fairly accessible scores a What? Thanks! ----- Original Message ----- From: Tinetta Cooper <mailto:lilheart@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 10:11 AM Subject: [tabi] Re: Online Courses Charles, I have taken online courses at TCC, and will be taking another in the fall. Once you learn to navigate the Blackboard web page, it is fairly accessible. Blackboard is the main page for most colleges and universities. Course work may involve other applications, such as Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint. While these programs are not as accessible, instructors are very helpful in making materials easier to use. I even had communication with a blind professor at FSU who consulted with one of my professors. This was regarding an online course in macroeconomics. I hope this information is helpful. Tinetta ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Atkins <mailto:catkins@xxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 11:13 PM Subject: [tabi] Online Courses Anyone taking online courses in our group? Are you getting the job done independently? Has any leaders of the blind made a list of schools and universities which are accessible and, not accessible? Is it a website? Thanks! Charles Atkins