[ACBS] google docs access

[Laura Glowacki]

 From the screen reader side of things, Ashley is correct that google 
docs are really not accessible.  I had to do some tweeking to even get 
it to read me bits of text on the screen.  Sara's explanation was a 
wonderful one of how it works.

As to your other question, last I heard ACB was actually working with 
google to increase accessibility.  Where that all stands, I do not 
know.  I'm also frustrated because my job uses google docs because I 
work online and it is obviously convenient and makes sense.  However, I 
don't have access.  Luckily it's not a large part of what I do, but it's 
still frustrating.




On 4/1/2012 12:33 PM, ACBS President wrote:
> I know how google docs work, but I am looking at partial vision side 
> of things. So I'll explain how they work. If someone else can give 
> information about accessibility with screen readers, that would be great.
>
> The whole idea of google docs is that they are able to be accessed by 
> any computer via your gmail account. So you can use google docs and 
> not have to worry about sending yourself multiple attachments with 
> various copies of different versions that you save etc.
>
> In addition, there is a collaborative feature of google docs that is 
> often used in organizations and universities. The docs can be shared 
> between multiple users to all edit and share. So while one person 
> edits the doc, they don't have to attach it in an email to the other 
> members of the group for them to see it. For instance, we have a large 
> committee on my campus right now for a festival. The intern made 
> spreadsheets via google docs with the different jobs available for the 
> committee. We can all edit the doc on our own computers and we 
> everyone can see it, all seeing what jobs we've signed up for and what 
> are still open.
>
> Google docs can be docs like Word docs, spreadsheets like excel, 
> presentations like power points, and forms as well.
>
> Hope this helps!
> Sara
>
> On Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 2:08 PM, Ashley Bramlett 
> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net <mailto:bookwormahb at earthlink.net>> wrote:
>
>     Hi all,
>     Well, I have a hybrid class for english; that means half online
>     work and half in class meetings.
>     What exactly is google docs and how does it work?
>     Do you attach documents to it or something?
>     I realize it is inaccessible to us. How do you get around that? Do
>     you write assignments in word and/or email?
>     I ask because I encountered google docs in our online class when
>     we were supposed to comment on introductions for articles.
>     Obviously, I couldn’t read the comments. Jaws only read names of
>     classmates, not text.
>     So I’ll have to have a sighted reader and hand in my comments on
>     paper.
>     And most importantly, has either consumer advocacy group done
>     anything about this lack of accessibility?
>     What did you do if your class used this platform for writing?
>     I fail to see how blind students take online classes with so much
>     inaccesssibility.
>     PDFS, flash based content, multi media presentations and um now
>     google docs are just a few accessibility challenges in the online
>     class experience.
>     Ashley
>
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