I am a teacher of students who are visually impaired. The Office of Special Education (OSEP) has issued a letter that no school district is to provide materials in an electronic format that is not accessible to all students. It does not matter whether there is a student in the school who needs accessibility or not. Unfortunately, the school districts are not getting the message. You certainly have a way to fight this decision. Even if the school provides an alternative to your daughter, she will not receive all of the information her sighted peers receive. You can accept a work around or you can fight the district on this issue. Many of us adults are used to making things work but that is not always a good solution.
On 8/25/14, Tom macha via Jfw <[email protected]> wrote: > Good morning, yes that is right the school (state) is obligaited to > provide her with a work-around. Have a great day, Tom > On 8/25/2014 5:25 AM, Ed Marquette via Jfw wrote: >> I think there won't be a JAWS solution available for you. Where >> there is no Windows there will be no JAWS. >> I've tried to use Chromevox on the PC with Google Docs and Google >> Chrome. It stinks! >> There is, nevertheless, some hope. >> I have a Nexus Android device (came free with our Google Fiber >> subscription). It has a built-in screen reader called talk back. >> It is awkward, clunky, and hard to use, but it can be managed. >> I would be surprised if a Google device isn't built on the android >> operating system. So, Talkback should work. >> Even if not, there is a company from Spain called Code Factory. >> It used to make a screen reader (and a very good one) for Windows >> phones (back when Microsoft thought it had to impose Windows on >> mobile devices). When Microsoft dumped that operating system, >> Code Factory turned to making Android devices talk. I've heard >> demonstrations of the product (though not lately), and it is very >> good; however, I don't know how long it can exist when Google >> offers Talkback for free, even though Talkback is an inferior >> product. >> I think your school is legally obligated to make an accessible >> option available to your daughter. If the school system refuses, >> I think I can point you in the direction of someone who might >> point out certain potentially applicable legal compulsions. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Jfw [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> Richard Holloway via Jfw >> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 9:52 PM >> To: The Jaws for Windows support list. >> Subject: Chromevox and Kindles vs JAWS and iPads >> >> I could use some advice and feedback for the latest in screen >> reading solutions. Our situation is that our daughter, 6th grade, >> no light perception, a highly proficient Braille reader and >> Braillenote Apex user, fairly handy with JAWS and iDevices may >> well end up in a situation at school where all students are being >> issued Chromebooks and Kindles. This sends off warning signals for >> me, but I'm not sure what to do about it... >> >> The key focus of these devices seems to be centered around >> products and services by Discovery Learning. I have a high level >> of appreciation for what everyone from Discovery through the >> school system is trying to offer kids by using these services. My >> daughter is a super bright student. I have no doubt she can make >> use of some of these materials despite her lack of vision, but >> what is the best approach for her? >> >> My questions center on how best to access these materials. That's >> what I hope I can learn from others here- >> >> How well does Chromevox (the built-in screenreader on Chromebooks, >> as I understand it) work at this point? >> >> Have others here tried Chromevox with Discovery Education >> materials? >> >> How about JAWS work with Discovery Learning? Any idea if she could >> access the same materials with a laptop and JAWS effectively? >> >> As to the Kindle, I understand there are accessibility issues on >> them, but there is also some iPod app for Kindle. Any ideas about >> access, especially to Discovery Learning materials through that >> app? >> >> Apologies for the partially off-tropic post, but it is somewhat >> JAWS-related, and we are really in a bind here time-wise. We have >> a meeting to discuss some of this with her school in three days. >> I'd like any information I can come up with on this matter (I have >> an inquiries in already with Discovery & Google, but so far I've >> had no response.) >> >> I'd REALLY like to be able to point the school in the right >> direction for a working solution or clear knowledge of things that >> WON'T work as well... If they need to get her a laptop, JAWS, and >> an iPad, they may well do it, but I suspect what may happen in >> this meeting is that we learn they have NO IDEA what will or won't >> work, or what steps to take next.. This needs not to drag out by >> the week and month for her. >> >> Feel free to contact me off-list if responses seem too far off the >> JAWS portion of the question. >> >> Many thanks to all! >> _______________________________________________ >> Jfw mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Jfw mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com > > > --- > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus > protection is active. > http://www.avast.com > > > _______________________________________________ > Jfw mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com > -- Marianne Denning, TVI, MA Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired (513) 607-6053 _______________________________________________ Jfw mailing list [email protected] http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com
