Universal Accessibility Interest Group

last person joined: 21 hours ago 

Charge: Offers librarians, support staff, students, and other advocates networking and collaboration opportunities, information sharing and programming to promote accessibility in academic libraries, including web accessibility, assistive technology, reference and instruction for users with disabilities and captioning processes.
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Chat Transcript 12-4-2009 

Apr 02, 2010 02:51 PM

12/04/2009 - 12:49pm

Adina Mulliken:Hello

12/04/2009 - 12:50pm

I'm here if anyone is trying to get in early. I'll keep checking my email 'til 1:00 eastern time in case anyone wants to reach me another way.

12/04/2009 - 12:51pm

My email is amullike@syr.edu

12/04/2009 - 12:51pm

Hi Melinda!

12/04/2009 - 12:51pm

Melinda Flannery:I just tried then realized I had to join the group to access the chat.

12/04/2009 - 12:51pm

Adina Mulliken:Oh, that's good to know. How did you join the group?

12/04/2009 - 12:52pm

Melinda Flannery:I'm afraid to get off this screen but there was a 'join' button by the group's name.

12/04/2009 - 12:52pm

A colleague forwarded the message but I didn't know I had to join.

12/04/2009 - 12:52pm

So, some people may have trouble getting in.

12/04/2009 - 12:53pm

Adina Mulliken:So that everyone knows, ALA Connect will automatically save a record of this session. I understand you can come back here to read it.

12/04/2009 - 12:53pm

Thanks Melinda

12/04/2009 - 12:53pm

Melinda Flannery:That's right. I also learned on previous chats that there is a character limit. That's why I'm sending short sentences.

12/04/2009 - 12:55pm

Adina Mulliken:Hi Helen! Did you get in okay?

12/04/2009 - 12:56pm

Helen Gbala:I can stay on the chat until about 2 pm EST

12/04/2009 - 12:57pm

Sarah Hamrick:Hello everybody.

12/04/2009 - 12:57pm

Thanks, Adina, for sending that explanation!

12/04/2009 - 12:58pm

Adina Mulliken:I'm glad that worked Sarah!

12/04/2009 - 1:00pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Hi All, I actually have a conference call at the same time. So, if you don't mind, I will just lurk here. :-)

12/04/2009 - 1:00pm

Julia Gustafson:I discovered I needed to join the group, too, but now I'm here

12/04/2009 - 1:02pm

Adina Mulliken:Others are emailing for help... could someone who just joined tell me when/where you click the join link?

12/04/2009 - 1:03pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Hi Adina, I clicked the link from the email you sent out.

12/04/2009 - 1:04pm

Adina Mulliken:Welcome Ranti! Glad you could "come"

12/04/2009 - 1:04pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Thanks, Adina. :-)

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

Adina Mulliken:I know you were already a member, Ranti, so if Sarah or anyone remembers where you click join, that info might help

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

Sarah Hamrick:It's on the right -- if you go to the calendar and click on this group, you'll see Join on the right...under a list of options.

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

I can't see it now because I've already joined, but it was some color -- yellow maybe?

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

Julia Gustafson:click Join on the right hand column when you get to the universal accessibility interest group page

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

Sarah Hamrick:And a clickable button.

12/04/2009 - 1:05pm

Christine Fletcher:The join button was here: https://connect.ala.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments/viewdocument?DocumentKey=49c5fc44-e12b-45fd-8b1c-60235254e0f4 right hand colum

12/04/2009 - 1:06pm

Adina Mulliken:I'm glad you made it Christine! thanks you and Sarah

12/04/2009 - 1:06pm

Helen Gbala:I'm back. I just got kicked-out. I clicked on the "chat room" for this chat to get back

12/04/2009 - 1:08pm

Clayton Copeland:Hello, Everyone! Hope you are all having a wonderful day! Adina, thank you kindly for all of your efforts to arrange this for everyone!

12/04/2009 - 1:08pm

Adina Mulliken:It looks like a few people were getting knocked out

12/04/2009 - 1:08pm

Rebecca Power:Hi everyone, Glad to be here. I'm a reference librarian at University of Missouri-Kansas CIty.

12/04/2009 - 1:09pm

Christine Fletcher:This chat comes at a propitious itme--I just l learned to day about the Right to Read Coalition and the Adobe Digital accessibility issue.

12/04/2009 - 1:09pm

Julia Gustafson:tell us more about the adobe digital accessibility issue

12/04/2009 - 1:10pm

Adina Mulliken:I guess we should go ahead... looks like people have gotten in. I have a few business items to post and then I hope everyone will introduce themselves

12/04/2009 - 1:10pm

Debra Kimok:Hello everyone. I'm a librarian at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh. I teach an online Information and Technology literacy course.

12/04/2009 - 1:11pm

Adina Mulliken:The in person discussion meeting for UAIG at ALA Midwinter will be 8:00-10:00am Monday 1/18/10. Everyone at the conference is welcome to attend.

12/04/2009 - 1:11pm

Julia Gustafson:I'm the Access Services Librarian at The College of Wooster

12/04/2009 - 1:11pm

Adina Mulliken:So that everyone knows, ALA Connect will automatically save a record of this session. I understand you can come back here to read it.

12/04/2009 - 1:11pm

Axel Schmetzke:Hi there!

12/04/2009 - 1:11pm

Adina Mulliken:We need an ACRL member to be a Convener to lead UAIG next year, beginning this coming June. It is a fairly easy job, primarily just requiring scheduling some m

12/04/2009 - 1:12pm

primarily just requiring scheduling some meetings and rooms. If you would consider doing this, please contact Adina.

12/04/2009 - 1:12pm

Yay, I posted the business items and only got kicked out once:)

12/04/2009 - 1:12pm

Christine Fletcher:I think NFB sent a mass mailing to ALA members about teh Adobe accessibility issue --their ebook software does not allow for speech. They're working on it.

12/04/2009 - 1:13pm

Julia Gustafson:thanks

12/04/2009 - 1:13pm

Christine Fletcher:Oh and greetings from Mississippi State U. Where we may actually get snow this Sat.

12/04/2009 - 1:14pm

Clayton Copeland:Hello, everyone! I'm Clayton Copeland, and I'm currently a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina's School of Library and Information Science.

12/04/2009 - 1:14pm

Adina Mulliken:Yeah, I was talking with one of the people working on that Digital Editions issue. I don't know much except that it's pretty inaccessible she said

12/04/2009 - 1:14pm

Christine Fletcher:Oh so Adobe, In the meantime I think Cambridge used that software for textbooks. Some unhappy students right now.

12/04/2009 - 1:15pm

Debra Kimok:I'm interested in any advice/resources to assist me in making my online course universally accessible.

12/04/2009 - 1:15pm

Adina Mulliken:Cambridge University?

12/04/2009 - 1:15pm

Clayton Copeland:Any time line on when they expect to have the issues with Adobe resolved?

12/04/2009 - 1:16pm

Yes, Debra, that is also an interest area for me. Thanks for posing the question. :)

12/04/2009 - 1:16pm

Adina Mulliken:Debra, would this help? Introductory resources about web accessibility https://connect.ala.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments/viewdocument?DocumentKey=49c5fc44-e12b-45fd-8b1c-60235254e0f4

12/04/2009 - 1:17pm

Christine Fletcher:Not sure if its the U or the publihser (a listerv member on DSSHE listserv recently just mentioned Cambridge).

12/04/2009 - 1:17pm

Debra Kimok:Thank you Adina! I'll add this to the list of things to research.

12/04/2009 - 1:17pm

Clayton Copeland:Yes, thank you kindly!

12/04/2009 - 1:17pm

Christine Fletcher:And Adobe has put out word that they are working on it. Expect to have it fixed "in the coming year".

12/04/2009 - 1:18pm

Julia Gustafson:I have a computer/workstation with Jaws, Open Book, and ZoomText. It gets little or no use right now. Are these services becoming outdated?

12/04/2009 - 1:18pm

Adina Mulliken:Debra & Clayton, some people said the link my colleague made about Libguides on that page is a straightforward place to start if you're new to it

12/04/2009 - 1:18pm

Christine Fletcher:FYI Reading Rights Coalition has been dealing with the Adobe issue.

12/04/2009 - 1:19pm

Debra Kimok:Great! Thanks again.

12/04/2009 - 1:19pm

Clayton Copeland:Thanks so much!

12/04/2009 - 1:19pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia, those are good frequently used applications... many students use laptops but I think it's still important to have them in the library too

12/04/2009 - 1:19pm

Axel Schmetzke:I am interested in ALA supporting a system that would help to collect and make available accessibility/usability info about all sorts of online info resources.

12/04/2009 - 1:20pm

Julia Gustafson:Where in your libraries to you place computer workstations with adaptive software?

12/04/2009 - 1:20pm

I like Axel's idea

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia, we have one in the public area, 2 in a private room, 1 in Sci-tech library

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Axel Schmetzke:There is a good start at ...

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

http://ascla.ala.org/toolkit/index.php?title=Accessibility_to_Library_Databases_and_Other_Online_Library_Resources_for_People_with_Disabilities

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Adina Mulliken:The private room gets used most

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Julia Gustafson:what do others do with their workstations?

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Clayton Copeland:I also think this is a wonderful idea!

12/04/2009 - 1:21pm

Axel Schmetzke:...but includes, for the most part, only info provided by vendor.

12/04/2009 - 1:22pm

Adina Mulliken:Our students want laptops instead of desktops and the campus is thinking of getting thumbdrives for the screenreaders

12/04/2009 - 1:22pm

Christine Fletcher:We have our adapted workstations by the main reference desk.

12/04/2009 - 1:22pm

Adina Mulliken:Axle, thanks for bringing that up

12/04/2009 - 1:23pm

Axel Schmetzke:The Web2Access. University of Southampton, UK, provides an interesting model that could be followed. ...

12/04/2009 - 1:23pm

http://www.web2access.org.uk/

12/04/2009 - 1:23pm

Adina Mulliken:Sorry everyone keeps getting kicked out

12/04/2009 - 1:23pm

Clayton Copeland:I think the idea of thumbdrives is terrific in terms of increasing acessibility and usability. Could you share what some of the discussion has been in terms

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Julia Gustafson:am I back in now

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Clayton Copeland:of positive reception and also any hesitations?

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Christine Fletcher:Our campus ITS bought a ZoomText license package that allows all of ther campus computer lbs to have ahsortcut to ZT. 11 users can be using it at one time.

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Adina Mulliken:I think thumbdrives will be great if they work out the license... sounds promising right now

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Christine Fletcher:is that the ZT thumbdrives?

12/04/2009 - 1:24pm

Axel Schmetzke:It is interactive in that it invites anyone to contribute to the evaluation of Web 2.0 resources. Tools and other aids for the evaluation of resources are provi

12/04/2009 - 1:25pm

Adina Mulliken:What are ZT thumbdrives?

12/04/2009 - 1:25pm

They are looking at Jaws dongle

12/04/2009 - 1:25pm

Rebecca Power:@ Julia, our two adaptive technology stations are in the Information Commons with all the other computers.

12/04/2009 - 1:26pm

Julia Gustafson:are the public adaptive tech workstations used? or are the private room ones use?

12/04/2009 - 1:26pm

Adina Mulliken:Axle, is it easier for people to post on that site than on a wiki? Sorry, hard to look at it right now

12/04/2009 - 1:26pm

Christine Fletcher:ZoomText has a version that woks from a USB key and can work on mutilple PCs with fewer licenses.

12/04/2009 - 1:26pm

Adina Mulliken:Hi Simon!

12/04/2009 - 1:27pm

Rebecca Power:Our public adaptive tech stations are used by a few students.

12/04/2009 - 1:27pm

We have one student who used to use Dragon Naturally Speaking, but that's hard on a public terminal.

12/04/2009 - 1:28pm

So we are thinking of restructuring to have one public terminal and one in a private room like Adina mentioned.

12/04/2009 - 1:28pm

Christine Fletcher:PC on the raised table gets used by students who use wheelchairs, and the Zoom Text PCs get used. JAWS, not much use.

12/04/2009 - 1:28pm

Clayton Copeland:What are the students currently voicing as a preference re: public vs. private stations?

12/04/2009 - 1:28pm

Adina Mulliken:@Clayton, both

12/04/2009 - 1:29pm

Clayton Copeland:So they prefer having options regarding stations depending upon tasks?

12/04/2009 - 1:30pm

Rebecca Power:I'm interested in the physical accessibility of your information commons/reference areas.

12/04/2009 - 1:30pm

Israel Seiferth:I sent out a message about finding the "join" button. Proper lesson in accessibility.

12/04/2009 - 1:31pm

Adina Mulliken:Axle, do you have ideas how to get more library employees to contribute info about accessibility? I find many are new to accessibility and those who have...

12/04/2009 - 1:31pm

Rebecca Power:Our IC layout is very open with a lot of furniture, but few walls. It has been difficult for some students to navigate.

12/04/2009 - 1:31pm

Axel Schmetzke:Adina, Web2Access provides a kind of open database, which is searchable. It also provides guidance with the evaluation--for those who wish to contribute.

12/04/2009 - 1:31pm

Adina Mulliken:Axle, great, you answered the question I was just typing

12/04/2009 - 1:32pm

Rebecca Power:We are redesigning it and I'm trying to gather ideas to making it more easily navigated.

12/04/2009 - 1:32pm

Christine Fletcher:Our layout leaves a lot of open space to get to the ref desk. the adapted PCs are on the outside row for easy access.

12/04/2009 - 1:32pm

Israel Seiferth:Adina- is the archive of this chat available after we are done?

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks Israel... sorry I forgot I should have emailed LITA as well as uniaccess!

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Rebecca Power:@Clayton, Our students using JAWS & Zoomtext seem to be happy on the public stations, although they want them closer to the printers.

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

But students who work with a helper or need to speak out loud to work need a more private space.

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Christine Fletcher:and our ref desk has two low ares at each side for consults.

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Did someone say something about a link to LibGudies accessibility info?

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Clayton Copeland:How many formal opportunities (i.e., surveys, focus groups, etc) are used to gather ideas from students who are differently-able regarding their ideas for impro

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

improving accessibility?

12/04/2009 - 1:34pm

Thanks, Rebecca and Adina.

12/04/2009 - 1:35pm

Christine Fletcher:Each of our ref librarians has a private office with a glass door to close--ofers some privacy for consults.

12/04/2009 - 1:35pm

Rebecca Power:@Clayton, I'd say there are few formal opportunities although we are going to try to make that happen as we redesign our IC. We need to hear from the users

12/04/2009 - 1:35pm

instead of speculating (which is where I feel I am right now)

12/04/2009 - 1:36pm

Julia Gustafson:Have any of you found moving your workstations from private to public areas encouraged more use?

12/04/2009 - 1:37pm

Clayton Copeland:Personally and based upon some research work in which I've had the privilege of working with patrons who are differently-able, I think we have a critical need

12/04/2009 - 1:37pm

and opportunity to hera patrons' voices.

12/04/2009 - 1:37pm

* hear

12/04/2009 - 1:38pm

Christine Fletcher:Our recent LibQual survey left room fro any commetns, and we solicit informal feedback when Disabled Services conduct tours.

12/04/2009 - 1:39pm

Israel Seiferth:Has anyone else embarked on a accessibility survey of library electronic resources?

12/04/2009 - 1:39pm

Adina Mulliken:Yes, the archive is available

12/04/2009 - 1:40pm

Clayton Copeland:Good to know. Thanks, Christine.

12/04/2009 - 1:40pm

Christine Fletcher:Perhaps LiubQual could develop a survey module for disability needs?

12/04/2009 - 1:40pm

Julia Gustafson:RE Israel's comment - no. Do you know of any?

12/04/2009 - 1:41pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Israel, what do you mean by survey and to whom?

12/04/2009 - 1:41pm

Israel Seiferth:Well, I am presently conducting one. using a bobby like website then readability with JAWS and Read/Write Gold

12/04/2009 - 1:42pm

Clayton Copeland:That sounds like an avenue with possibilities.

12/04/2009 - 1:42pm

Julia Gustafson:Israel - after you do this, you should consider writing/publishing an article about it.

12/04/2009 - 1:42pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:There is a group from UIUC and work with several vendors on e-resources acessibility

12/04/2009 - 1:43pm

Adina Mulliken:Here's Syracuse U's guide to Libguide accessibility http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/content.php?pid=31563&sid=378014

12/04/2009 - 1:43pm

Axel Schmetzke:Israel, I created a web page to accessibilty surveys of one kind or another ....

12/04/2009 - 1:43pm

Clayton Copeland:Christina, my last comment was meant for you, and Israel's work sounds important, too.

12/04/2009 - 1:43pm

Axel Schmetzke:....http://library.uwsp.edu/aschmetz/Accessible/websurveys.htm....

12/04/2009 - 1:44pm

Israel Seiferth:Julia- I plan too. and I'll check that out axel

12/04/2009 - 1:44pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:http://cita.disability.uiuc.edu/collaborate/ - Check their link to EBSCO, ExLibris, and Elsevier

12/04/2009 - 1:44pm

Clayton Copeland:Thank you for sharing this, Axel

12/04/2009 - 1:45pm

Helen Gbala:I am getting many messages to stop the script

12/04/2009 - 1:45pm

Adina Mulliken:One challenge w studies of blind students is there are so few in higher ed and they can be swamped w research requests... offering paying them

12/04/2009 - 1:45pm

Axel Schmetzke:For accessibility info on one resources other than websites, also check ....

12/04/2009 - 1:45pm

http://library.uwsp.edu/aschmetz/Accessible/pub_Resources.htm#Further_Info

12/04/2009 - 1:45pm

Israel Seiferth:I didn't see an answer previously. Are these chats archived for later refer

12/04/2009 - 1:46pm

Adina Mulliken:Yes, chat is archived

12/04/2009 - 1:46pm

Axel Schmetzke:You need to scoll down a bit to get to the various categories ...

12/04/2009 - 1:46pm

Clayton Copeland:Me, too Helen

12/04/2009 - 1:46pm

Adina Mulliken:Sorry everyone keeps getting kicked out.. this chat obviously isn't working well

12/04/2009 - 1:46pm

Axel Schmetzke:... Google, Flash, PDFs, math & science, etc ...

12/04/2009 - 1:47pm

Helen Gbala:Where is the meeting at ALA Boston?

12/04/2009 - 1:47pm

Israel Seiferth:Seems like some problem with the script

12/04/2009 - 1:48pm

* S.G. Ranti Junus mutters about being kicked out by the chat bot.

12/04/2009 - 1:49pm

Axel Schmetzke:For once, the system works for me. (Knock on wood.)

12/04/2009 - 1:49pm

Adina Mulliken:I don't know where the meeting will be in Boston yet... I'll post it in ALA Connect and on uniaccess listserv

12/04/2009 - 1:49pm

Helen Gbala:See some at ALA

12/04/2009 - 1:49pm

Sarah Hamrick:I just got a pdf of the meetings.

12/04/2009 - 1:49pm

Let me check

12/04/2009 - 1:50pm

Israel Seiferth:For those having problems, I was having script problems in Firefox, but chrome runs smoothly

12/04/2009 - 1:50pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Meeting: Monday Jan 18, 8-10am, Marriott, Yarmouth room

12/04/2009 - 1:50pm

Sarah Hamrick:It's at the Marriott Copley Place -- Yarmouth Room

12/04/2009 - 1:50pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks all, for the location!

12/04/2009 - 1:50pm

You are welcome to join the listserv for UAIG. Go to http://lists.ala.org/sympa/info/uniaccess

12/04/2009 - 1:51pm

Christine Fletcher:OK trying this in IE since Firefox gave me Stop Scrpoit messages every few seconds.

12/04/2009 - 1:52pm

Adina thnx for teh LibGuides link.

12/04/2009 - 1:52pm

Clayton-I;d liek to survey our disabled students on thier computer experience and what equipment they have already

12/04/2009 - 1:53pm

FYI IE seems to be behaving much better than Firefox.

12/04/2009 - 1:53pm

Adina Mulliken:I've found w blind students it's practical to get to know them in person as they're a small group at most schools, unfortunately

12/04/2009 - 1:53pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Christine, does your university have a unit that helping students with disabilities?

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

Adina Mulliken:I tried emailing them via Office of Disability Services in the past and got no response

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

Clayton Copeland:That's a good idea, Christine.

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

Christine Fletcher:Yes we have several counselors for our Student Support Services office.

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

Clayton Copeland:\

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

I've had similar experiences when going through the Office of Disability Servives, Adina.

12/04/2009 - 1:54pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Here at Michigan State, we have one called Resource Center for Person with Diabilities (RCPD). The Library works closely together with them.

12/04/2009 - 1:55pm

Adina Mulliken:I started getting to know the blind students by trying to offer reference help

12/04/2009 - 1:55pm

Christine Fletcher:But they really don't survey students either.

12/04/2009 - 1:55pm

Clayton Copeland:I don't know if messages didn't get forwarded, etc.

12/04/2009 - 1:55pm

Adina Mulliken:It took me quite a while to learn how to use a screen reader enough to be effective w reference help!

12/04/2009 - 1:56pm

But I think it would be easier to learn if I had spent more focused time on it

12/04/2009 - 1:56pm

Clayton Copeland:How much surveying do the Offices of Disability Services do with the students themselves, and how much to the counselors offer their own voices vs. the students

12/04/2009 - 1:57pm

Adina Mulliken:There are only about 4 students at our University so it wouldn't be that practical to survey them

12/04/2009 - 1:57pm

Sorry, I'm talking about blind students... you're probably talking abotu all groups w disabilties

12/04/2009 - 1:58pm

Clayton Copeland:How about students with other challenges - mobility, learning, hearing, etc.?

12/04/2009 - 1:58pm

I think we were typing at the same time. :)

12/04/2009 - 1:58pm

Christine Fletcher:ur disability counselors have not been so helpful with feedback.

12/04/2009 - 1:58pm

Our

12/04/2009 - 1:58pm

Clayton Copeland:I think it is WONDERFUL, and I applaud you for taking the time to personally get to know and help the students.

12/04/2009 - 1:59pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks Clayton!

12/04/2009 - 1:59pm

The student who had the patience to bumble around w me on the screen reader first was pretty new to screen readers herself

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

Christine Fletcher:We have found that if a librairan makes friends with a disabled student, that student will come back and ask questions. Its our best outreach so far. one-on-o

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

Julia Gustafson:we tend to get students with learning disabilities - dyslexia, ADD, ADHD - only a very occasional other disability

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

Adina Mulliken:It would probably be easier for other librarians to work with a student who is more experiences

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

Clayton Copeland:Perhaps we could begin looking at disability groups and perhaps honors societies for students with disabilities as places to speak with students

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

That was meant as a question, but I ran out of typing space.

12/04/2009 - 2:00pm

:)

12/04/2009 - 2:01pm

Julia Gustafson:I get referrals from our learning center where our students with disabilities get help

12/04/2009 - 2:01pm

Christine Fletcher:we do have a disability student group on campus. talking at one of their meetings could be helpful.

12/04/2009 - 2:02pm

Julia Gustafson:On our campus, the learning center encourages self-disclosure on the part of the student and we don't actually have disability groups to speak of

12/04/2009 - 2:02pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:We are in the same situation like Julia's campus. The students are self-identified.

12/04/2009 - 2:03pm

Julia Gustafson:I guess our best connection is referral from our learning center and our administration

12/04/2009 - 2:04pm

Rebecca Power:Our campus is the same-- no student group. There used to be one called the eclectic learners, but the students graduated and new students weren't interested

12/04/2009 - 2:04pm

Clayton Copeland:Good to know. Thanks for sharing how everything works within everyone's different universities. It's helpful to know.

12/04/2009 - 2:04pm

Adina Mulliken:Sounds like a good idea to me Christine. On my campus the blind students haven't participated in the disability activist group much in recent years, but the

12/04/2009 - 2:05pm

student group is a very good resource

12/04/2009 - 2:05pm

Clayton Copeland:Some offices of disability services may not permit this per privacy concerns, etc., but many of them do have listservs. Has anyone asked to be added to the list

12/04/2009 - 2:06pm

serv and then used that as a venue to communicate directly with students?

12/04/2009 - 2:06pm

Julia Gustafson:I guess I get the best information from the individual students themselves in terms of their needs. But I have had very few referrals of late.

12/04/2009 - 2:07pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia, what kind of requests do you get?

12/04/2009 - 2:07pm

Christine Fletcher:We have learned that if a disabled student has one bad expereince, they will not come back. We strive to avoid that.

12/04/2009 - 2:07pm

Clayton Copeland:It's great that you do take the time to meet with the students who are willing, though. :)

12/04/2009 - 2:08pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:I think it's a good idea to ask the office of disability services about stuff they need to do in helping students accessing library resources...

12/04/2009 - 2:08pm

Julia Gustafson:One year I had a dyslexic student using open book to read his text books. Another year, I had a visually handicapped student using a screen magnifier

12/04/2009 - 2:08pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:including any issues they encountered and the work around they did.

12/04/2009 - 2:08pm

Israel Seiferth:We are working with our office in terms of seeing what resources are already accessible and what we need to rectify

12/04/2009 - 2:09pm

Julia Gustafson:Another time I had a couple ADHD students using jaws with microsoft word.

12/04/2009 - 2:09pm

Our population needs are so few, however, and I'm wondering if students are now coming with their own accomdations

12/04/2009 - 2:09pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia, how much did the library or school do with preping the textbooks for the student w open book?

12/04/2009 - 2:09pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Israel: that's awesome. I'd like to do that too.

12/04/2009 - 2:09pm

Christine Fletcher:A legally blind student I've known since her was a freshamn is applyign for grad school. i could do a dance when that happens. So soemthing we do is working.

12/04/2009 - 2:10pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Christine: that is great!

12/04/2009 - 2:10pm

Julia Gustafson:The students use open book on their own with training from me. Our campus does not scan for students

12/04/2009 - 2:11pm

Israel, that's a great idea

12/04/2009 - 2:12pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia, it's great you know how to do it.

12/04/2009 - 2:12pm

Israel Seiferth:We have 170 or so databases so I need some help anyway :D

12/04/2009 - 2:12pm

Julia Gustafson:I'm getting rusty at it, though - no users of late

12/04/2009 - 2:12pm

I'm at only a very basic level

12/04/2009 - 2:13pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Julia should do a preconference for us on how to operate screen reader! :-)

12/04/2009 - 2:13pm

Adina Mulliken:Our Office of Disabiltiy Services does not have an expert in web accessibiltiy or screen readers... one staff person knows some though... I wonder if that's

12/04/2009 - 2:13pm

common

12/04/2009 - 2:14pm

Julia Gustafson:I have found, however, that the electronic environment for students with learning disabilities is a godsend

12/04/2009 - 2:14pm

Israel Seiferth:Anyone use Read/Write Gold? Much easier to operate thatn JAWS

12/04/2009 - 2:14pm

Adina Mulliken:I heard there is a few tutorial on Freedom Scientific's website for Jaws now

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

free not few

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

Julia Gustafson:when I have students sent to me for one on one research appts - not for asst tech - just research appts, I can help them better now than years ago in the

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

all print environment

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

Adina Mulliken:I heard there's a free tutorial for Window Eyes too

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

Israel, I hadn't heard of it. Is it proprietary?

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

Christine Fletcher:Most of our jorals are online-only now. Its really helped with access. The blind students don't have to wait for a human reader.

12/04/2009 - 2:15pm

journals

12/04/2009 - 2:16pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Adina, could have collect those information re. tutorials? Any place where we could chip in the info?

12/04/2009 - 2:16pm

Julia Gustafson:How are blind students navigating adobe pdf's?

12/04/2009 - 2:16pm

Christine Fletcher:Adina--thnx for the info--I'm going to look for the JAWS tutorial

12/04/2009 - 2:16pm

Julia Gustafson:Does this group have a wiki?

12/04/2009 - 2:17pm

Adina Mulliken:Ranti, maybe we should add it to the other doc on ALA Connect?

12/04/2009 - 2:17pm

Jaws takes some time to learn (tho I'm slow) but it's worth it!

12/04/2009 - 2:17pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Adina: I think you're right. I just don't remember if the document is editable like a wiki.

12/04/2009 - 2:18pm

Christine Fletcher:I think some PDFs--if formatted from OCR--will work with screen readers. I guess otherwise they print and use something like OpenBook.

12/04/2009 - 2:18pm

Israel Seiferth:http://www.readwritegold.com/

12/04/2009 - 2:18pm

Adina Mulliken:I think it is... anyway there are lots of places to post stuff in Universal Accessibility group on ALA Connect

12/04/2009 - 2:19pm

Israel Seiferth:30 day free demo

12/04/2009 - 2:19pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks Israel

12/04/2009 - 2:20pm

Israel Seiferth:I find it much easier to navigate than JAWS (and able to read things JAWS can't

12/04/2009 - 2:21pm

Adina Mulliken:Jaws has the biggest market share according to a not stat. significant study by Webaim a few weeks ago...

12/04/2009 - 2:22pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Thanks, Israel.

12/04/2009 - 2:22pm

Adina Mulliken:so I think it helps to know what the users know... but good to know alternatives too... what does it do better than Jaws?

12/04/2009 - 2:22pm

Julia Gustafson:It's been a long time since I showed someon how to use JAWS, so every time I do, I need to do some review.

12/04/2009 - 2:22pm

Even then, I'm at a very basic level with JAWS

12/04/2009 - 2:23pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:I also use other toos: ww.satogo.com and nvda (http://www.nvda-project.org/)

12/04/2009 - 2:23pm

Israel Seiferth:Want to teach me Julia? It confounds me to no end

12/04/2009 - 2:23pm

Julia Gustafson:Is it important to keep the JAWS, Open Book, Zoomtext up-to-date with the latest versions or are older versions fine

12/04/2009 - 2:23pm

Adina Mulliken:Julia... me too... I don't know it well

12/04/2009 - 2:24pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Both satogo and nvda are the ones suggested by our usability/accessibility services here.

12/04/2009 - 2:24pm

Julia Gustafson:Got a summer leave to spend learning? ;)

12/04/2009 - 2:24pm

Christine Fletcher:I think as long as we're running Windows XP, we can use our exisitng versions of ZT and JAWS. Upgrading to Win7 could be another issue.

12/04/2009 - 2:25pm

Julia Gustafson:Just trying to asses what we should invest since our users are so few and far between

12/04/2009 - 2:25pm

Israel Seiferth:We run a JAWS thats, Ibeleive 2 versions behind

12/04/2009 - 2:26pm

Julia Gustafson:Good, I feel better....

12/04/2009 - 2:27pm

Adina Mulliken:Rebecca, any ideas from your experience w arranging the learning commons?

12/04/2009 - 2:27pm

Clayton Copeland:Is anyone familiar with Dr. Norm Coombs and EASI? This organization often offers webinars on JAWS and other programs?

12/04/2009 - 2:28pm

Rebecca Power:Adina, I still haven't had a chance to speak with our head of the office of disability studies about it, but he is going to get me in touch with some students

12/04/2009 - 2:28pm

to try to find out what kind of spaces are most accessible

12/04/2009 - 2:29pm

I'm guessing there must be some literature out there about how to create open, yet still accessible areas.

12/04/2009 - 2:29pm

Clayton Copeland:Oh, that's a great opportunity, Rebecca. Would you be willing to keep us posted on how that goes?

12/04/2009 - 2:29pm

Rebecca Power:But I haven't investigated yet.

12/04/2009 - 2:29pm

Christine Fletcher:Been ages since I took and EASI workshop. They are very knowledgeable. I still miss Dick Banks.

12/04/2009 - 2:30pm

Rebecca Power:@Clayton. Absolutely, I'd be happy to share what we find out.

12/04/2009 - 2:30pm

Clayton Copeland:Yes, I understand he was wonderful and touched many lives.

12/04/2009 - 2:30pm

Adina Mulliken:I don't think EASI teaches Jaws but I thought their courses were useful

12/04/2009 - 2:31pm

Clayton Copeland:Thank you, Rebecca. I'll really be looking forward to it. I am very interested in the lived experiences of students who are differently-able

12/04/2009 - 2:32pm

Christine Fletcher:EASI has a nice varitey of workshops, from intro to stuff for your library systems folks.

12/04/2009 - 2:32pm

Clayton Copeland:Oh, ok, thanks, Adina. I must have been mistaken about JAWS. JAWS must have been mentioned on the EASI listserv recently.

12/04/2009 - 2:32pm

Israel Seiferth:http://people.rit.edu/easi/

12/04/2009 - 2:33pm

Adina Mulliken:yes, that would be interesting Rebecca. There's a mobility trainer for blind students at S.U. who gives us advice occassionally

12/04/2009 - 2:33pm

Axel Schmetzke:EASI still offers workshops--thanks to Norm Coombs.

12/04/2009 - 2:35pm

Christine Fletcher:I took workshops with Norm back in the 90's. EASI is a truely experienced bunch.

12/04/2009 - 2:36pm

Adina Mulliken:Clayton, I just meant I don't think they don't have courses focused on Jaws. they do talk about screen readers tho of course.

12/04/2009 - 2:37pm

Axel Schmetzke:Speaking about EASI. They also support a library accessibility discussion group, similar to this one. ...

12/04/2009 - 2:37pm

http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A0=AXSLIB-L

12/04/2009 - 2:38pm

Clayton Copeland:Yes, I see on the website that they'll be offering workshops, etc. on Windows 7 and accessibility

12/04/2009 - 2:38pm

Axel Schmetzke:It's not very busy. You might consider joining that group, too.

12/04/2009 - 2:38pm

Clayton Copeland:Thanks, Axel. :)

12/04/2009 - 2:38pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Axel: thanks!

12/04/2009 - 2:38pm

Christine Fletcher:Axel I was just about to ask if AXIS-LIb was still active--you answered my question.

12/04/2009 - 2:39pm

Axel Schmetzke:Yes, it is. Mostly announcements recently. But once in a while an interesting discussion.

12/04/2009 - 2:39pm

Adina Mulliken:Someone wanted to talk about Univeral Design in Information Literacy courses ... any ideas on that?

12/04/2009 - 2:39pm

Axel Schmetzke:It's international on scope. So sometimes you get the British, etc. perspective.

12/04/2009 - 2:39pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:I ahven't checked their site yet, but is there a fee to take their workshop?

12/04/2009 - 2:39pm

Adina Mulliken:Some are for a fee

12/04/2009 - 2:40pm

Axel Schmetzke:Fees at EASI--for some workshops yes; others are free, Watch the announcement on the listserv I just mentioned

12/04/2009 - 2:40pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Adina: Univ.Design in InfoLit - that's a big topic!

12/04/2009 - 2:41pm

Adina Mulliken:Do you teach info lit Ranti? I teach mostly one shot sessions

12/04/2009 - 2:41pm

Axel Schmetzke:A very important topic--especially as we create more and more interactive IL tutorials.

12/04/2009 - 2:41pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:I don't teach info lit. But universal design could be approached from many angles.

12/04/2009 - 2:42pm

Adina Mulliken:Yeah, does anyone know about screen reader accessibiltiy for some interactive courses?

12/04/2009 - 2:43pm

Julia Gustafson:we're in the middle of a web site redesign. Does anyone know if drop down menus are accessible?

12/04/2009 - 2:43pm

Adina Mulliken:I think Contribute software isn't good for screen readers, but wonder if there's some way to make it work

12/04/2009 - 2:43pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Adina: it's tricky. Even if the interactive courses are screen-readable, that doesn't always mean the way it's presented would makes sense.

12/04/2009 - 2:44pm

Adina Mulliken:Ranti, yes, that's what I ran into... i.e. an alt text description of a screen shot isn't so great

12/04/2009 - 2:45pm

Axel Schmetzke:As a member of the editorial board of Library Hi Tech, I'd would encourge anyone who is interest ...

12/04/2009 - 2:45pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Adine: Sighted people many times forget or perhaps don't know how blind users interact with the content.

12/04/2009 - 2:45pm

Axel Schmetzke:to submit research studies on various angle of online accessibility ....

12/04/2009 - 2:46pm

Especially one on the accessibility of IL tutorials is badly needed.

12/04/2009 - 2:46pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks Axel. Yes, Ranti... I don't know how you'd make it work....

12/04/2009 - 2:47pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Thanks, Axel.

12/04/2009 - 2:47pm

Adina Mulliken:I tried making recording of Jaws reading the screen but then couldn't find a screen reader accessible media player

12/04/2009 - 2:49pm

Clayton Copeland:Yes, thank you Axel! :)

12/04/2009 - 2:50pm

Adina Mulliken:Since it's getting close to 3:00, I'll post the business items again for people who missed it before

12/04/2009 - 2:51pm

The in person discussion meeting for UAIG at ALA Midwinter will be 8:00-10:00am Monday 1/18/10. Everyone at the conference is welcome to attend.

12/04/2009 - 2:51pm

Axel Schmetzke:I've guest edited special-theme issues an accessibility/usability in Library Hi Tech before ....

12/04/2009 - 2:51pm

Christine Fletcher:Julia--for drop down menus, this site indcludes code: http://www.webaim.org/techniques/forms/controls.php

12/04/2009 - 2:51pm

Axel Schmetzke:...if there's enough interest I'd work on a fourth one.

12/04/2009 - 2:51pm

Julia Gustafson:Thanks, Christine.

12/04/2009 - 2:52pm

Clayton Copeland:Yes, and I'd like to thank you for your contributions, Axel. I've found them mikst helpful.

12/04/2009 - 2:52pm

most

12/04/2009 - 2:52pm

Rebecca Power:Axel, I love those themed issues from Library Hi Tech. They are so useful and really seem to fill a hole in the literature.

12/04/2009 - 2:52pm

Israel Seiferth:Thanks all

12/04/2009 - 2:52pm

Christine Fletcher:good discussion

12/04/2009 - 2:53pm

Axel Schmetzke:I'm glad to hear that. Thanks, folks!

12/04/2009 - 2:53pm

Adina Mulliken:Axel, me too, I quote your articles and others in that issue A LOT

12/04/2009 - 2:53pm

We need an ACRL member to be a Convener to lead UAIG next year, beginning this coming June. It is a fairly easy job. If you would consider doing this, please

12/04/2009 - 2:53pm

contact me

12/04/2009 - 2:54pm

Clayton Copeland:Thank you again, Adina, for all of your efforts arranging the discussion. I look forward to future discussions, as well.

12/04/2009 - 2:54pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Axel, that's a good one.

12/04/2009 - 2:54pm

Hi all, I requested you to be my contact through ALA Connect, so please don't be surprised. :-)

12/04/2009 - 2:54pm

Axel Schmetzke:Thankseveryone, especially Adina for getting this going. Good bye.

12/04/2009 - 2:54pm

Rebecca Power:Thanks very much, Adina!

12/04/2009 - 2:55pm

Adina Mulliken:Thanks everyone! Hope to see you at ALA or in future chats!

12/04/2009 - 2:55pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:Yes, thank you, Adina. This is great. I'm glad I'm able to participate eventually. :-)

12/04/2009 - 2:55pm

Sarah Hamrick:Thanks Adina!

12/04/2009 - 2:55pm

Julia Gustafson:Thanks, all, especially Adina for arranging this!!

12/04/2009 - 2:55pm

Christine Fletcher:Thank you Adina!

12/04/2009 - 2:57pm

Adina Mulliken:Sorry for the repeats, but since everyone kept getting kicked out and may have missed it:

12/04/2009 - 2:57pm

ALA Connect will automatically save a record of this session. I understand you can come back here to read it.

12/04/2009 - 2:57pm

You are welcome to join the listserv for UAIG. Go to

12/04/2009 - 2:57pm

http://lists.ala.org/sympa/info/uniaccess

12/04/2009 - 2:58pm

If you haven’t subscribed to an ALA list before, you have to choose the tiny link

12/04/2009 - 2:58pm

for “First login” under the password box on the left. You don’t have to be an ALA member to join.

12/04/2009 - 3:01pm

Christine Fletcher:just joined!

12/04/2009 - 3:01pm

S.G. Ranti Junus:OK. Hope to see you at ALA MW! Take care!


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