The below stories are not universal nor true in my case in te federal
government. I worked in th Red Stone Arsonal in Huntsville, Alabama as
a Work Force Recruitment Candidate with the Logistics Affairs group.
They only had Jaws and used CAP that was only August 2012 of last
year, so don't know where your getting your informaton but its exactly
100% true.Window-Eyes was never recommended nor listened to on my end,
so couldn't get even trained in it. They had to have everything
approved from the central office and that apparently was JAWS or
nothing period. Nevermind what you might have worked with in the past
or anything that doesn'tmatter.
How many screen readers must we learn then? I think everyone
should agree that under all job postings then they should say JAWS or
Window-Eyes or allow for more training time or whatever. I'm also even
more mad with Vocational Rehabilitation for training me with
Window-Eyes in the first place. This is why the government is utterly
hated by the public like my family cause they do waste money that is
valuable and I'm blamed for it? Bologna just don't believe maybe they
should work more affectively with each individual instead of blaming
us for their failed accommedations.
Thirdly, I'm sorry folks that my experiences are utterly opposite
of yours and many other blind peoples in fact. WhenI was an intern in
D.C, the Washington Center the largest internship site only had JAWS
and didn't inform me of it till I got there. I was trained in the
binary fashion that you must pick either Window-Eyes or Jaws and
actually got Window-Eyes on my campus at Auburn University not anybody
else. I have fought tooth and nail for Window-Eyes all this way and
for nothing. Likewise, the internship with the Small Business
Administration informed me cause of the Fair Act that they couldn't
accommedate me till half way threw my internship site nor was I able
to install whatever program that I wanted under any circumstances and
that and the OIT department workers are incompetent individuals who
shouldn't have jobs in the first place. Lastly, applying what you
think is right isn't right in all circumstances jus lets do something
about this.
sincerely,
Peter
On 2/4/13, Sandra Fouts <[email protected]> wrote:
> If your employer can get both for you that's great. I was thinking my home
> computer, or other agencies who's budget might be very limited.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John W. Carty [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 1:05 PM
> To: Sandra Fouts; 'Amanda Lee'; 'gw-info'
> Subject: RE: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
> I've worked as a programmer all of my adult life and I've been using screen
> readers of many stripes since 1989. For the past 15 years I've worked for a
> county govn IT department in Texas.
>
> My employer purchased both WE & jaws upon my request and maintain a sma for
> both.
>
> I agree strongly that you must take full responsibility for your own skills
> and training, as well as being the voice to your employer.
>
> My experience has always been, if I go to my employer and explain why I need
> a particular product and where to get it I get it.
>
> If I take the path that something doesn't work and put it back on the
> employer to figure out a solution then people get their back up and it
> becomes a useless confrontation that I cannot win.
>
> Yes, this means you have to work harder than sighted co-workers and you may
> consider this unfair but having a job and enjoying the freedom it brings is
> a far cry better than living on welfare spending your time and energy
> complaining.
>
> Neither screen reader is perfect and both can stand to improve in numerous
> areas. However, access to technology and information has never been better
> for the blind than it is today.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sandra Fouts [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 12:57 PM
> To: 'Amanda Lee'; gw-info
> Subject: RE: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
> A demo yes. But a full copy is not free.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amanda Lee [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 12:52 PM
> To: gw-info
> Subject: Re: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
> Why surely you can! a demo of most screen readers is absolutely free. I
> know that both provide tutorials as well. I taught myself most of what I
> know and so can you.
> Perhaps it's not what you'd prefer in terms of learning. But i have always
> been personally proactive about making every effort to do whatever it takes
> to get the job done. Then after I have done so and something doesn't work,
> i can take ownership of the fact is that I did the best i could.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sandra Fouts" <[email protected]>
> To: "'Amanda Lee'" <[email protected]>; "gw-info"
> <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 1:41 PM
> Subject: RE: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
>
> Learning it and affording may be two different things. The government
> isn't going to buy jaws for me and I can't just go out and buy it. I think
> it's great if people can get both of them. The key word, money. "smile"
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amanda Lee [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 12:37 PM
> To: gw-info
> Subject: Re: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
> CAP does provide both Jaws and Window-Eyes. When I worked for the
> Department of Commerce, I obtained both Screen Readers which is my
> preference. I was a Technical Point of Contact for a division so i needed
> to be able to access a number of different applications. Therefore, it has
> always been my experience that one Screen Reader may interface more
> effectively with a certain application. So one Screen Reader doesn't always
> meet all needs across a wider array of applications. The IRS and other
> Federal Government agencies utilize what may be commonly termed as 'Seat
> management'. This approach applies to all employees regardless of their
> access needs. I don't really believe this is the best approach but, for the
> most part, it will meet most needs. What I find problematic though is
> whenever an application is determined not to work with JAWS or a
> particular Screen Reader and there isn't sufficient technical ability within
> the organization involved to properly evaluate and/or take other measures
> to provide an appropriate reengineering solution. This places the employee
> involved in a very precarious position and frequently they become
> unproductive. Seat Management is appropriate in the majority of instances.
> However, when there isn't enough flexibility to effect a solution which
> could indeed be that another Screen Reader is obtained along with applicable
> Apps written, then an employee loses valuable time and productivity
> notwithstanding the effects on his or her morale and interrelationships with
> co-workers and his or her respective management.
> My recommendation to anyone is to be flexible enough to learn another Screen
> Reader. You might not prefer it over Window-Eyes as I don't prefer JAWS but
> I have advanced skills with both and I adapt as there have been instances
> where I was required to use JAWS and had no other choice.
> I know that if GW Micro were a larger organization, perhaps they could have
> effected a broader marketing approach. Still, after all these years, GW
> Micro is still in business and it serves to prove they are doing an
> effective job of what they do. I do see though that within the Department
> of Defense too that Window-Eyes is beginning to prove it's capabilities and
> flexibility with how it can be customized to interface without the need to
> utilize specialized syntax or or such.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 1:11 PM
> Subject: RE: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
>
> It depends on the agency. Many agencies use the Computer Access Program,
> (CAP), which is under DOD, but many agencies like the VA contract with it.
> CAP allows you some choice in selecting the kind of equipment you want, and
> they will purchase Window Eyes for you.
> However, some proprietary programs used by the government have been scripted
> for JAWS, so JAWS works better with them. The IRS and SSA use a different
> approach. They handle computer access themselves, and have developed
> exclusive contracts with vendors, so you do not have a choice.
> Also, the applications they use have been scripted for JAWS, so it is
> unlikely that Window Eyes would work well with them anyway.
>
> Andy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Wolfe [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 4:45 PM
> To: gw-info
> Subject: Off topic - U.S Federal Workers using Window-Eyes?
>
> Dear all,
>
>
> Does anyone on here work for the U.S federal government using
> Window-Eyes at work? In many many conversations wih people and programs that
> I've attended, it appears that JAWS has a federal contract with the federal
> government. I'm not trained with JAWS Screen Reader, so would like to know
> your advice on whether its worth my while to learn JAWS or not for federal
> employment. I'm just so annoyed that I was trained with Window-Eyes and its
> not even used almost anywhere of employment. Can somebody or anybody give me
> advice on what to freakin do. Right now I'm blamed for not knowing JAWS for
> the IRS training program, so I couldn't complete it impart cause of it.
>
>
> This is where the government in my view screws up by picking losers and
> winnersx in things. I wish that Window-Eyes and JAWS could work in the
> federal government. However, the IRS in particular thinks that Window-Eyes
> isn't as powerful as JAWS. I've had two separate occasions had Window-Eyes
> through the Small Business Administration and another internship in D.C. How
> many freakin screen readers must we know what should we know or what can we
> do? I'm so so tired of the confusing mess of the disorganized Vocational
> Rehabilitation programs that they are obviously failures and us students
> are blamed for it?
> Thanks for listening just I want work with my social science degree just
> that not even SPSS softwares and other necessary softwares don't currently
> work with Window-Eyes or JAWS and there is no clear answers or standards of
> what we should know to obtain a job or anything.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Peter
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>
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