[Athen] iTunes and accessibility?

[Pratik Patel]

Sean,

We are having a similar conversation at our University regarding ITunes U
and the ITunes client interface in general.  I would love to participate in
a process that would improve accessibility for the platform and the delivery
process.  While there are scripts available for JAWS--scripts that need to
be purchased at the price of $55 per each client, philosophically my
contention is that we should not be spending additional funds and should not
create additional processes for students with disabilities.  Besides, the
scripts are only for JAWS and the ITunes client.  Apple should be doing much
more.

Pratik


-----Original Message-----
From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On
Behalf Of Sean Keegan
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 1:55 PM
To: athen at athenpro.org
Subject: [Athen] iTunes and accessibility?

Colleagues,

As many of you know, iTunes U has become a popular platform at colleges for
the hosting and dissemination of multimedia content.  However, the
accessibility of the iTunes U interface is limited at best and prevents the
full participation of students with disabilities at an institution.

Jon Gunderson and Hadi Rangin have put forth the concept of the
consortium/collaboration model as one method to assisting vendors with the
accessibility of their products.  I am curious if anyone is interested in
pursuing a similar model for the iTunes U platform as it is currently
delivered to colleges.  The adoption of iTunes U and questions about its
accessibility has been a heavily discussed item in two higher ed. system in
California and I would like to find out if other colleges/states are having
similar conversations surrounding the accessibility of the iTunes U delivery
mechanism.

My primary intent is to ask the question - is anyone else interested and
would like to communicate on this issue?  If there is interest, then perhaps
we could follow the model that Jon and Hadi have identified as being the
most effective in working with vendors.

Any thoughts?

Take care,
sean

Sean Keegan
Web Accessibility Instructor
High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges 



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