Dec 4 2009 12:49PM
Adina Mulliken: Hello
Dec 4 2009 12:50PM
Adina Mulliken: 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.
Dec 4 2009 12:51PM
Adina Mulliken: My email is
amullike@syr.edu Dec 4 2009 12:51PM
Adina Mulliken: Hi Melinda!
Dec 4 2009 12:51PM
Melinda Flannery: I just tried then realized I had to join the group to access the chat.
Dec 4 2009 12:51PM
Adina Mulliken: Oh, that's good to know. How did you join the group?
Dec 4 2009 12:52PM
Melinda Flannery: I'm afraid to get off this screen but there was a 'join' button by the group's name.
Dec 4 2009 12:52PM
Melinda Flannery: A colleague forwarded the message but I didn't know I had to join.
Dec 4 2009 12:52PM
Melinda Flannery: So, some people may have trouble getting in.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 12:53PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks Melinda
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 12:55PM
Adina Mulliken: Hi Helen! Did you get in okay?
Dec 4 2009 12:56PM
Helen Gbala: I can stay on the chat until about 2 pm EST
Dec 4 2009 12:57PM
Sarah Hamrick: Hello everybody.
Dec 4 2009 12:57PM
Sarah Hamrick: Thanks, Adina, for sending that explanation!
Dec 4 2009 12:58PM
Adina Mulliken: I'm glad that worked Sarah!
Dec 4 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. :-)
Dec 4 2009 1:00PM
Julia Gustafson: I discovered I needed to join the group, too, but now I'm here
Dec 4 2009 1:02PM
Adina Mulliken: Others are emailing for help... could someone who just joined tell me when/where you click the join link?
Dec 4 2009 1:03PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Hi Adina, I clicked the link from the email you sent out.
Dec 4 2009 1:04PM
Adina Mulliken: Welcome Ranti! Glad you could "come"
Dec 4 2009 1:04PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Thanks, Adina. :-)
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:05PM
Sarah Hamrick: I can't see it now because I've already joined, but it was some color -- yellow maybe?
Dec 4 2009 1:05PM
Julia Gustafson: click Join on the right hand column when you get to the universal accessibility interest group page
Dec 4 2009 1:05PM
Sarah Hamrick: And a clickable button.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:06PM
Adina Mulliken: I'm glad you made it Christine! thanks you and Sarah
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 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!
Dec 4 2009 1:08PM
Adina Mulliken: It looks like a few people were getting knocked out
Dec 4 2009 1:08PM
Rebecca Power: Hi everyone, Glad to be here. I'm a reference librarian at University of Missouri-Kansas CIty.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:09PM
Julia Gustafson: tell us more about the adobe digital accessibility issue
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:11PM
Julia Gustafson: I'm the Access Services Librarian at The College of Wooster
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:11PM
Axel Schmetzke: Hi there!
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:12PM
Adina Mulliken: primarily just requiring scheduling some meetings and rooms. If you would consider doing this, please contact Adina.
Dec 4 2009 1:12PM
Adina Mulliken: Yay, I posted the business items and only got kicked out once:)
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:13PM
Julia Gustafson: thanks
Dec 4 2009 1:13PM
Christine Fletcher: Oh and greetings from Mississippi State U. Where we may actually get snow this Sat.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:14PM
Christine Fletcher: Oh so Adobe, In the meantime I think Cambridge used that software for textbooks. Some unhappy students right now.
Dec 4 2009 1:15PM
Debra Kimok: I'm interested in any advice/resources to assist me in making my online course universally accessible.
Dec 4 2009 1:15PM
Adina Mulliken: Cambridge University?
Dec 4 2009 1:15PM
Clayton Copeland: Any time line on when they expect to have the issues with Adobe resolved?
Dec 4 2009 1:16PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, Debra, that is also an interest area for me. Thanks for posing the question. :)
Dec 4 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 Dec 4 2009 1:17PM
Christine Fletcher: Not sure if its the U or the publihser (a listerv member on DSSHE listserv recently just mentioned Cambridge).
Dec 4 2009 1:17PM
Debra Kimok: Thank you Adina! I'll add this to the list of things to research.
Dec 4 2009 1:17PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, thank you kindly!
Dec 4 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".
Dec 4 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?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:18PM
Christine Fletcher: FYI Reading Rights Coalition has been dealing with the Adobe issue.
Dec 4 2009 1:19PM
Debra Kimok: Great! Thanks again.
Dec 4 2009 1:19PM
Clayton Copeland: Thanks so much!
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:20PM
Julia Gustafson: Where in your libraries to you place computer workstations with adaptive software?
Dec 4 2009 1:20PM
Julia Gustafson: I like Axel's idea
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Adina Mulliken: Julia, we have one in the public area, 2 in a private room, 1 in Sci-tech library
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Axel Schmetzke: There is a good start at ...
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Axel Schmetzke:
http://ascla.ala.org/toolkit/index.php?title=Accessibility_to_Library_Databases_and_Other_Online_Library_Resources_for_People_with_Disabilities Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Adina Mulliken: The private room gets used most
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Julia Gustafson: what do others do with their workstations?
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Clayton Copeland: I also think this is a wonderful idea!
Dec 4 2009 1:21PM
Axel Schmetzke: ...but includes, for the most part, only info provided by vendor.
Dec 4 2009 1:22PM
Adina Mulliken: Our students want laptops instead of desktops and the campus is thinking of getting thumbdrives for the screenreaders
Dec 4 2009 1:22PM
Christine Fletcher: We have our adapted workstations by the main reference desk.
Dec 4 2009 1:22PM
Adina Mulliken: Axle, thanks for bringing that up
Dec 4 2009 1:23PM
Axel Schmetzke: The Web2Access. University of Southampton, UK, provides an interesting model that could be followed. ...
Dec 4 2009 1:23PM
Axel Schmetzke:
http://www.web2access.org.uk/ Dec 4 2009 1:23PM
Adina Mulliken: Sorry everyone keeps getting kicked out
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:24PM
Clayton Copeland: of positive reception and also any hesitations?
Dec 4 2009 1:24PM
Julia Gustafson: am I back in now
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:24PM
Adina Mulliken: I think thumbdrives will be great if they work out the license... sounds promising right now
Dec 4 2009 1:24PM
Christine Fletcher: is that the ZT thumbdrives?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:25PM
Adina Mulliken: What are ZT thumbdrives?
Dec 4 2009 1:25PM
Adina Mulliken: They are looking at Jaws dongle
Dec 4 2009 1:25PM
Rebecca Power: @ Julia, our two adaptive technology stations are in the Information Commons with all the other computers.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:26PM
Julia Gustafson: are the public adaptive tech workstations used? or are the private room ones use?
Dec 4 2009 1:26PM
Christine Fletcher: ZoomText has a version that woks from a USB key and can work on mutilple PCs with fewer licenses.
Dec 4 2009 1:26PM
Adina Mulliken: Hi Simon!
Dec 4 2009 1:27PM
Rebecca Power: Our public adaptive tech stations are used by a few students.
Dec 4 2009 1:27PM
Rebecca Power: We have one student who used to use Dragon Naturally Speaking, but that's hard on a public terminal.
Dec 4 2009 1:28PM
Rebecca Power: So we are thinking of restructuring to have one public terminal and one in a private room like Adina mentioned.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:28PM
Clayton Copeland: What are the students currently voicing as a preference re: public vs. private stations?
Dec 4 2009 1:28PM
Adina Mulliken: @Clayton, both
Dec 4 2009 1:29PM
Clayton Copeland: So they prefer having options regarding stations depending upon tasks?
Dec 4 2009 1:30PM
Rebecca Power: I'm interested in the physical accessibility of your information commons/reference areas.
Dec 4 2009 1:30PM
Jeremy Seiferth: I sent out a message about finding the "join" button. Proper lesson in accessibility.
Dec 4 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...
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:31PM
Adina Mulliken: Axle, great, you answered the question I was just typing
Dec 4 2009 1:32PM
Rebecca Power: We are redesigning it and I'm trying to gather ideas to making it more easily navigated.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:32PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Adina- is the archive of this chat available after we are done?
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks Israel... sorry I forgot I should have emailed LITA as well as uniaccess!
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Rebecca Power: But students who work with a helper or need to speak out loud to work need a more private space.
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Christine Fletcher: and our ref desk has two low ares at each side for consults.
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Christine Fletcher: Did someone say something about a link to LibGudies accessibility info?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Clayton Copeland: improving accessibility?
Dec 4 2009 1:34PM
Clayton Copeland: Thanks, Rebecca and Adina.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:35PM
Rebecca Power: instead of speculating (which is where I feel I am right now)
Dec 4 2009 1:36PM
Julia Gustafson: Have any of you found moving your workstations from private to public areas encouraged more use?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:37PM
Clayton Copeland: and opportunity to hera patrons' voices.
Dec 4 2009 1:37PM
Clayton Copeland: * hear
Dec 4 2009 1:38PM
Christine Fletcher: Our recent LibQual survey left room fro any commetns, and we solicit informal feedback when Disabled Services conduct tours.
Dec 4 2009 1:39PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Has anyone else embarked on a accessibility survey of library electronic resources?
Dec 4 2009 1:39PM
Adina Mulliken: Yes, the archive is available
Dec 4 2009 1:40PM
Clayton Copeland: Good to know. Thanks, Christine.
Dec 4 2009 1:40PM
Christine Fletcher: Perhaps LiubQual could develop a survey module for disability needs?
Dec 4 2009 1:40PM
Julia Gustafson: RE Israel's comment - no. Do you know of any?
Dec 4 2009 1:41PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Israel, what do you mean by survey and to whom?
Dec 4 2009 1:41PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Well, I am presently conducting one. using a bobby like website then readability with JAWS and Read/Write Gold
Dec 4 2009 1:42PM
Clayton Copeland: That sounds like an avenue with possibilities.
Dec 4 2009 1:42PM
Julia Gustafson: Israel - after you do this, you should consider writing/publishing an article about it.
Dec 4 2009 1:42PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: There is a group from UIUC and work with several vendors on e-resources acessibility
Dec 4 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 Dec 4 2009 1:43PM
Axel Schmetzke: Israel, I created a web page to accessibilty surveys of one kind or another ....
Dec 4 2009 1:43PM
Clayton Copeland: Christina, my last comment was meant for you, and Israel's work sounds important, too.
Dec 4 2009 1:43PM
Axel Schmetzke: ....http://library.uwsp.edu/aschmetz/Accessible/websurveys.htm....
Dec 4 2009 1:44PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Julia- I plan too. and I'll check that out axel
Dec 4 2009 1:44PM
S.G. Ranti Junus:
http://cita.disability.uiuc.edu/collaborate/ - Check their link to EBSCO, ExLibris, and Elsevier
Dec 4 2009 1:44PM
Clayton Copeland: Thank you for sharing this, Axel
Dec 4 2009 1:45PM
Helen Gbala: I am getting many messages to stop the script
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:45PM
Axel Schmetzke: For accessibility info on one resources other than websites, also check ....
Dec 4 2009 1:45PM
Axel Schmetzke:
http://library.uwsp.edu/aschmetz/Accessible/pub_Resources.htm#Further_Info Dec 4 2009 1:45PM
Jeremy Seiferth: I didn't see an answer previously. Are these chats archived for later refer
Dec 4 2009 1:46PM
Adina Mulliken: Yes, chat is archived
Dec 4 2009 1:46PM
Axel Schmetzke: You need to scoll down a bit to get to the various categories ...
Dec 4 2009 1:46PM
Clayton Copeland: Me, too Helen
Dec 4 2009 1:46PM
Adina Mulliken: Sorry everyone keeps getting kicked out.. this chat obviously isn't working well
Dec 4 2009 1:46PM
Axel Schmetzke: ... Google, Flash, PDFs, math & science, etc ...
Dec 4 2009 1:47PM
Helen Gbala: Where is the meeting at ALA Boston?
Dec 4 2009 1:47PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Seems like some problem with the script
Dec 4 2009 1:48PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: mutters about being kicked out by the chat bot.
Dec 4 2009 1:49PM
Axel Schmetzke: For once, the system works for me. (Knock on wood.)
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:49PM
Helen Gbala: See some at ALA
Dec 4 2009 1:49PM
Sarah Hamrick: I just got a pdf of the meetings.
Dec 4 2009 1:49PM
Sarah Hamrick: Let me check
Dec 4 2009 1:50PM
Jeremy Seiferth: For those having problems, I was having script problems in Firefox, but chrome runs smoothly
Dec 4 2009 1:50PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Meeting: Monday Jan 18, 8-10am, Marriott, Yarmouth room
Dec 4 2009 1:50PM
Sarah Hamrick: It's at the Marriott Copley Place -- Yarmouth Room
Dec 4 2009 1:50PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks all, for the location!
Dec 4 2009 1:50PM
Adina Mulliken: You are welcome to join the listserv for UAIG. Go to
http://lists.ala.org/sympa/info/uniaccess Dec 4 2009 1:51PM
Christine Fletcher: OK trying this in IE since Firefox gave me Stop Scrpoit messages every few seconds.
Dec 4 2009 1:52PM
Christine Fletcher: Adina thnx for teh LibGuides link.
Dec 4 2009 1:52PM
Christine Fletcher: Clayton-I;d liek to survey our disabled students on thier computer experience and what equipment they have already
Dec 4 2009 1:53PM
Christine Fletcher: FYI IE seems to be behaving much better than Firefox.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:53PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Christine, does your university have a unit that helping students with disabilities?
Dec 4 2009 1:54PM
Adina Mulliken: I tried emailing them via Office of Disability Services in the past and got no response
Dec 4 2009 1:54PM
Clayton Copeland: That's a good idea, Christine.
Dec 4 2009 1:54PM
Christine Fletcher: Yes we have several counselors for our Student Support Services office.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:54PM
Clayton Copeland: \
Dec 4 2009 1:54PM
Clayton Copeland: I've had similar experiences when going through the Office of Disability Servives, Adina.
Dec 4 2009 1:55PM
Adina Mulliken: I started getting to know the blind students by trying to offer reference help
Dec 4 2009 1:55PM
Christine Fletcher: But they really don't survey students either.
Dec 4 2009 1:55PM
Clayton Copeland: I don't know if messages didn't get forwarded, etc.
Dec 4 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!
Dec 4 2009 1:56PM
Adina Mulliken: But I think it would be easier to learn if I had spent more focused time on it
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 1:57PM
Adina Mulliken: There are only about 4 students at our University so it wouldn't be that practical to survey them
Dec 4 2009 1:57PM
Adina Mulliken: Sorry, I'm talking about blind students... you're probably talking abotu all groups w disabilties
Dec 4 2009 1:58PM
Clayton Copeland: How about students with other challenges - mobility, learning, hearing, etc.?
Dec 4 2009 1:58PM
Clayton Copeland: I think we were typing at the same time. :)
Dec 4 2009 1:58PM
Christine Fletcher: ur disability counselors have not been so helpful with feedback.
Dec 4 2009 1:58PM
Christine Fletcher: Our
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 1:59PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks Clayton!
Dec 4 2009 1:59PM
Adina Mulliken: The student who had the patience to bumble around w me on the screen reader first was pretty new to screen readers herself
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:00PM
Julia Gustafson: we tend to get students with learning disabilities - dyslexia, ADD, ADHD - only a very occasional other disability
Dec 4 2009 2:00PM
Adina Mulliken: It would probably be easier for other librarians to work with a student who is more experiences
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:00PM
Clayton Copeland: That was meant as a question, but I ran out of typing space.
Dec 4 2009 2:00PM
Clayton Copeland: :)
Dec 4 2009 2:01PM
Julia Gustafson: I get referrals from our learning center where our students with disabilities get help
Dec 4 2009 2:01PM
Christine Fletcher: we do have a disability student group on campus. talking at one of their meetings could be helpful.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:02PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: We are in the same situation like Julia's campus. The students are self-identified.
Dec 4 2009 2:03PM
Julia Gustafson: I guess our best connection is referral from our learning center and our administration
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:04PM
Clayton Copeland: Good to know. Thanks for sharing how everything works within everyone's different universities. It's helpful to know.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:05PM
Adina Mulliken: student group is a very good resource
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:06PM
Clayton Copeland: serv and then used that as a venue to communicate directly with students?
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:07PM
Adina Mulliken: Julia, what kind of requests do you get?
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:07PM
Clayton Copeland: It's great that you do take the time to meet with the students who are willing, though. :)
Dec 4 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...
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:08PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: including any issues they encountered and the work around they did.
Dec 4 2009 2:08PM
Jeremy Seiferth: We are working with our office in terms of seeing what resources are already accessible and what we need to rectify
Dec 4 2009 2:09PM
Julia Gustafson: Another time I had a couple ADHD students using jaws with microsoft word.
Dec 4 2009 2:09PM
Julia Gustafson: Our population needs are so few, however, and I'm wondering if students are now coming with their own accomdations
Dec 4 2009 2:09PM
Adina Mulliken: Julia, how much did the library or school do with preping the textbooks for the student w open book?
Dec 4 2009 2:09PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Israel: that's awesome. I'd like to do that too.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:10PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Christine: that is great!
Dec 4 2009 2:10PM
Julia Gustafson: The students use open book on their own with training from me. Our campus does not scan for students
Dec 4 2009 2:11PM
Julia Gustafson: Israel, that's a great idea
Dec 4 2009 2:12PM
Adina Mulliken: Julia, it's great you know how to do it.
Dec 4 2009 2:12PM
Jeremy Seiferth: We have 170 or so databases so I need some help anyway :D
Dec 4 2009 2:12PM
Julia Gustafson: I'm getting rusty at it, though - no users of late
Dec 4 2009 2:12PM
Julia Gustafson: I'm at only a very basic level
Dec 4 2009 2:13PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Julia should do a preconference for us on how to operate screen reader! :-)
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:13PM
Adina Mulliken: common
Dec 4 2009 2:14PM
Julia Gustafson: I have found, however, that the electronic environment for students with learning disabilities is a godsend
Dec 4 2009 2:14PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Anyone use Read/Write Gold? Much easier to operate thatn JAWS
Dec 4 2009 2:14PM
Adina Mulliken: I heard there is a few tutorial on Freedom Scientific's website for Jaws now
Dec 4 2009 2:15PM
Adina Mulliken: free not few
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:15PM
Julia Gustafson: all print environment
Dec 4 2009 2:15PM
Adina Mulliken: I heard there's a free tutorial for Window Eyes too
Dec 4 2009 2:15PM
Adina Mulliken: Israel, I hadn't heard of it. Is it proprietary?
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:15PM
Christine Fletcher: journals
Dec 4 2009 2:16PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Adina, could have collect those information re. tutorials? Any place where we could chip in the info?
Dec 4 2009 2:16PM
Julia Gustafson: How are blind students navigating adobe pdf's?
Dec 4 2009 2:16PM
Christine Fletcher: Adina--thnx for the info--I'm going to look for the JAWS tutorial
Dec 4 2009 2:16PM
Julia Gustafson: Does this group have a wiki?
Dec 4 2009 2:17PM
Adina Mulliken: Ranti, maybe we should add it to the other doc on ALA Connect?
Dec 4 2009 2:17PM
Adina Mulliken: Jaws takes some time to learn (tho I'm slow) but it's worth it!
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:18PM
Jeremy Seiferth:
http://www.readwritegold.com/ Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:19PM
Jeremy Seiferth: 30 day free demo
Dec 4 2009 2:19PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks Israel
Dec 4 2009 2:20PM
Jeremy Seiferth: I find it much easier to navigate than JAWS (and able to read things JAWS can't
Dec 4 2009 2:21PM
Adina Mulliken: Jaws has the biggest market share according to a not stat. significant study by Webaim a few weeks ago...
Dec 4 2009 2:22PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Thanks, Israel.
Dec 4 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?
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:22PM
Julia Gustafson: Even then, I'm at a very basic level with JAWS
Dec 4 2009 2:23PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: I also use other toos: ww.satogo.com and nvda (http://www.nvda-project.org/)
Dec 4 2009 2:23PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Want to teach me Julia? It confounds me to no end
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:23PM
Adina Mulliken: Julia... me too... I don't know it well
Dec 4 2009 2:24PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Both satogo and nvda are the ones suggested by our usability/accessibility services here.
Dec 4 2009 2:24PM
Julia Gustafson: Got a summer leave to spend learning? ;)
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:25PM
Julia Gustafson: Just trying to asses what we should invest since our users are so few and far between
Dec 4 2009 2:25PM
Jeremy Seiferth: We run a JAWS thats, Ibeleive 2 versions behind
Dec 4 2009 2:26PM
Julia Gustafson: Good, I feel better....
Dec 4 2009 2:27PM
Adina Mulliken: Rebecca, any ideas from your experience w arranging the learning commons?
Dec 4 2009 2:27PM
Clayton Copeland: Is anyone familiar with Dr. Norm Coombs and EASI? This organization often offers webinars on JAWS and other programs?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:28PM
Rebecca Power: to try to find out what kind of spaces are most accessible
Dec 4 2009 2:29PM
Rebecca Power: I'm guessing there must be some literature out there about how to create open, yet still accessible areas.
Dec 4 2009 2:29PM
Clayton Copeland: Oh, that's a great opportunity, Rebecca. Would you be willing to keep us posted on how that goes?
Dec 4 2009 2:29PM
Rebecca Power: But I haven't investigated yet.
Dec 4 2009 2:29PM
Christine Fletcher: Been ages since I took and EASI workshop. They are very knowledgeable. I still miss Dick Banks.
Dec 4 2009 2:30PM
Rebecca Power: @Clayton. Absolutely, I'd be happy to share what we find out.
Dec 4 2009 2:30PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, I understand he was wonderful and touched many lives.
Dec 4 2009 2:30PM
Adina Mulliken: I don't think EASI teaches Jaws but I thought their courses were useful
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:32PM
Christine Fletcher: EASI has a nice varitey of workshops, from intro to stuff for your library systems folks.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:32PM
Jeremy Seiferth:
http://people.rit.edu/easi/ Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:33PM
Axel Schmetzke: EASI still offers workshops--thanks to Norm Coombs.
Dec 4 2009 2:35PM
Christine Fletcher: I took workshops with Norm back in the 90's. EASI is a truely experienced bunch.
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:37PM
Axel Schmetzke: Speaking about EASI. They also support a library accessibility discussion group, similar to this one. ...
Dec 4 2009 2:37PM
Axel Schmetzke:
http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A0=AXSLIB-L Dec 4 2009 2:38PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, I see on the website that they'll be offering workshops, etc. on Windows 7 and accessibility
Dec 4 2009 2:38PM
Axel Schmetzke: It's not very busy. You might consider joining that group, too.
Dec 4 2009 2:38PM
Clayton Copeland: Thanks, Axel. :)
Dec 4 2009 2:38PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Axel: thanks!
Dec 4 2009 2:38PM
Christine Fletcher: Axel I was just about to ask if AXIS-LIb was still active--you answered my question.
Dec 4 2009 2:39PM
Axel Schmetzke: Yes, it is. Mostly announcements recently. But once in a while an interesting discussion.
Dec 4 2009 2:39PM
Adina Mulliken: Someone wanted to talk about Univeral Design in Information Literacy courses ... any ideas on that?
Dec 4 2009 2:39PM
Axel Schmetzke: It's international on scope. So sometimes you get the British, etc. perspective.
Dec 4 2009 2:39PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: I ahven't checked their site yet, but is there a fee to take their workshop?
Dec 4 2009 2:39PM
Adina Mulliken: Some are for a fee
Dec 4 2009 2:40PM
Axel Schmetzke: Fees at EASI--for some workshops yes; others are free, Watch the announcement on the listserv I just mentioned
Dec 4 2009 2:40PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Adina: Univ.Design in InfoLit - that's a big topic!
Dec 4 2009 2:41PM
Adina Mulliken: Do you teach info lit Ranti? I teach mostly one shot sessions
Dec 4 2009 2:41PM
Axel Schmetzke: A very important topic--especially as we create more and more interactive IL tutorials.
Dec 4 2009 2:41PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: I don't teach info lit. But universal design could be approached from many angles.
Dec 4 2009 2:42PM
Adina Mulliken: Yeah, does anyone know about screen reader accessibiltiy for some interactive courses?
Dec 4 2009 2:43PM
Julia Gustafson: we're in the middle of a web site redesign. Does anyone know if drop down menus are accessible?
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:45PM
Axel Schmetzke: As a member of the editorial board of Library Hi Tech, I'd would encourge anyone who is interest ...
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:45PM
Axel Schmetzke: to submit research studies on various angle of online accessibility ....
Dec 4 2009 2:46PM
Axel Schmetzke: Especially one on the accessibility of IL tutorials is badly needed.
Dec 4 2009 2:46PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks Axel. Yes, Ranti... I don't know how you'd make it work....
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:47PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Thanks, Axel.
Dec 4 2009 2:49PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, thank you Axel! :)
Dec 4 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
Dec 4 2009 2:51PM
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.
Dec 4 2009 2:51PM
Axel Schmetzke: I've guest edited special-theme issues an accessibility/usability in Library Hi Tech before ....
Dec 4 2009 2:51PM
Christine Fletcher: Julia--for drop down menus, this site indcludes code:
http://www.webaim.org/techniques/forms/controls.php Dec 4 2009 2:51PM
Axel Schmetzke: ...if there's enough interest I'd work on a fourth one.
Dec 4 2009 2:51PM
Julia Gustafson: Thanks, Christine.
Dec 4 2009 2:52PM
Clayton Copeland: Yes, and I'd like to thank you for your contributions, Axel. I've found them mikst helpful.
Dec 4 2009 2:52PM
Clayton Copeland: most
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:52PM
Jeremy Seiferth: Thanks all
Dec 4 2009 2:52PM
Christine Fletcher: good discussion
Dec 4 2009 2:53PM
Axel Schmetzke: I'm glad to hear that. Thanks, folks!
Dec 4 2009 2:53PM
Adina Mulliken: Axel, me too, I quote your articles and others in that issue A LOT
Dec 4 2009 2:53PM
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. If you would consider doing this, please
Dec 4 2009 2:53PM
Adina Mulliken: contact me
Dec 4 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.
Dec 4 2009 2:54PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Axel, that's a good one.
Dec 4 2009 2:54PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Hi all, I requested you to be my contact through ALA Connect, so please don't be surprised. :-)
Dec 4 2009 2:54PM
Axel Schmetzke: Thankseveryone, especially Adina for getting this going. Good bye.
Dec 4 2009 2:54PM
Rebecca Power: Thanks very much, Adina!
Dec 4 2009 2:55PM
Adina Mulliken: Thanks everyone! Hope to see you at ALA or in future chats!
Dec 4 2009 2:55PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: Yes, thank you, Adina. This is great. I'm glad I'm able to participate eventually. :-)
Dec 4 2009 2:55PM
Sarah Hamrick: Thanks Adina!
Dec 4 2009 2:55PM
Julia Gustafson: Thanks, all, especially Adina for arranging this!!
Dec 4 2009 2:55PM
Christine Fletcher: Thank you Adina!
Dec 4 2009 2:57PM
Adina Mulliken: Sorry for the repeats, but since everyone kept getting kicked out and may have missed it:
Dec 4 2009 2:57PM
Adina Mulliken: ALA Connect will automatically save a record of this session. I understand you can come back here to read it.
Dec 4 2009 2:57PM
Adina Mulliken: You are welcome to join the listserv for UAIG. Go to
Dec 4 2009 2:57PM
Adina Mulliken:
http://lists.ala.org/sympa/info/uniaccess Dec 4 2009 2:58PM
Adina Mulliken: If you haven’t subscribed to an ALA list before, you have to choose the tiny link
Dec 4 2009 2:58PM
Adina Mulliken: for “First login” under the password box on the left. You don’t have to be an ALA member to join.
Dec 4 2009 3:01PM
Christine Fletcher: just joined!
Dec 4 2009 3:01PM
S.G. Ranti Junus: OK. Hope to see you at ALA MW! Take care!