Hell

I saw this note on another e-mail list I am on. If you can comment/help
Stephanie Enyart, e-mail her directly. Her e-mail address is included
below.

Jennison


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 16:51:35 -0700
From: Stephanie Enyart <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: ANN: Unreasonable accommodations for the GRE

Hello,

    I am visually impaired and preparing to take the LSAT and GRE this fall as I apply to law and public policy programs (and some joint degree programs). Below I have sent you a description of my troubles receiving accommodations for the GRE. Please read and advise or feel free to forward to anyone you believe can assist me. Thank you.



    One of the struggles I have recently encountered is with the ETS when discussing accommodations for the GRE. The GRE is now given on the computer.  I originally thought taking the test on a computer would finally give me the opportunity to compete while employing my accessible technology skills (I use Jaws for speech output and Zoom Text for magnification and color reversal).  Using software in combination like this has helped me straddle the visually impaired and blind worlds. If I could listen to my reading comprehension section through jaws but also look at math or geometry questions with the magnification settings from Zoom Text the test could be more appropriate in testing my abilities than paper based standardized tests have been. However the ETS made their computer based GRE test in a non-Windows environment to "level the playing field' for those who are not familiar with the operation system." By doing this they stripped the functionality of accessible technologies like Jaws and Zoom Text. The only blindness related software ETS claims can work in this environment is Zoom text level one (which is only a magnification not a speech option). Consequently, I have asked for a reader to get me through the test.  The reader option is not a bad deal for the verbal section because they can perform like Jaws does; clearly reading the test aloud and following my directions for portions that need to be read again. In the math section I'll really step up the magnification of Zoom Text level one (hopefully on a 21 inch monitor so I have more viewing area) so I can use my remaining vision to see problems and work them out under a CCTV.  As long as I get the large monitor and zoom text level one with a reader and a large CCTV I should be able to make the math section work out. When it comes to the writing section there is a true accommodations problem. ETS gave me two unreasonable options; I could either dictate my writing sample essays or could type them (without speech software) and have my reader read the screen to me and assist in cursor placement by looking/reading/mousing for me over my shoulder. I do not believe either option is a true accommodation because there is technology (Jaws) that does this screen reading work that I should be allowed to use. I should be allowed to write my essays on a computer outfitted with accessible technology instead of relying on a reader to pronounce all my sentences in the fashion Jaws does. The only way I am able to catch a typo when using Jaws is by listening to the words I write (similar to how sighted people can look at their words and catch spelling mistakes visually). I will have to ask my reader to pronounce things in a way to indicate a typo. I will have to get the reader to place my cursor for me if I want to add a sentence or edit a segment of the essay. Does this sound reasonable to you in the age of screen reading software? Why does leveling the playing field for those students not familiar with windows mean blind students should have to abandon the technology that affords us the right to play the game? For that matter what graduate school program doesn't REQUIRE a student to produce work on computers with Windows?

    Where things stand for now: I have had numerous conversations with ETS about the accommodations available for the GRE. I have gathered the paperwork necessary to apply for accommodations and will send it off at the end of this week. All my dealings so far with the ETS have been over the phone so I haven't received the aforementioned statements in writing.  My plan was to take the GRE on Saturday, November 1st. Since I am a bit strapped for time I have not sought legal counsel regarding this situation. I barely have enough time to write emails like this since I am balancing a full time job and studying for the LSAT and GRE tests with  a team of four live readers and a tutor. As you can imagine I am using all my free time outside work studying for the two tests and juggling schedules for those I’ve hired to read to me. I have no trouble whatsoever creating a writing sample if I can use accessible tech (like Jaws). As a comparison the Law School Admission Council has agreed to allow me to create the writing portion of the LSAT on my own laptop computer with use of both Jaws and zoom text.

I did email the National Alliance of Blind Students list and got a limited response to what I imagine is a common accommodations problem with the GRE. From those that did respond they were not surprised and seemed to accept the situation. I also got a response from an older blind student that gave me the line  " well, in my day we had to dictate everything and use our double time to spell out letter for letter what the scribe should write."  This student’s viewpoint is very valid since it is great we have evolved a bit from that situation but this is 2003 and the technology exists. There have to be people out there that see this situation as problematic and unreasonable. What do you think? Please give me your feedback and feel free to forward this email to anyone whom you believe can be helpful. If I could have the use of MS Word with Zoom Text and Jaws to produce my writing section of the GRE I would feel truly accommodated.



Thank you for your help,

Stephanie Enyart

415/405-2226 (work)

415/239-8130 (home)

-----------------------
September online courses on accessible information technology:
Barrier-free Information Technology http://easi.cc/workshops/adaptit.htm
Advanced Barrier-free Web Design http://easi.cc/workshops/advwbsyl.htm
LD and Information Technology http://easi.cc/workshops/ld.htm
EASI Home Page http://www.rit.edu/~easi
CCourses and Clinics http://easi.cc/workshop.htm
To sign off this list
send e-mail to [log in to unmask] saying
signoff easi