[Athen] Working with ICL staff

[Wink Harner]

Larry,

I am having the exact problem as you are encountering with the 
technology staff & the AT lab software/hardware. I would be really 
interested in following the solutions you and others come up with. Would 
you be kind enough to share?

Thanks!
Wink
Ms. Wink Harner
Manager
Disability Resources & Services
Mesa Community College
Mesa AZ


Larry Kiser wrote:

>

> Folks:

>

>  

>

> Due to losing an AT person over a year ago, budget cuts and a freeze 

> on hiring at our institution I took on the responsibility of 

> overseeing our Adaptive Technologies Lab and institution--wide 

> adaptive workstations just before the start of the Fall Semester 

> 2007.  Besides our main campus we have four other centers.  When our 

> AT staff member left the lab and other workstations were somewhat 

> neglected but continued to operate.  For example the Instructional 

> Computer Lab techs held our copies of Kurzweil version 10 for almost a 

> year and only since I took over has it been installed.  The problems 

> are numerous and I seek some guidance.

>

>  

>

> The last AT staff member had administrative rights to install software 

> and updates at all locations and conduct operational checks.  

> According to the ICL techs in order to maintain "security and 

> stability of computers" no one except ICL techs will have 

> administrative rights.  Our administration supports this restriction.  

> That would not be a problem but for the fact when ICL techs install 

> software they do not conduct operational checks.  If I am informed 

> that computers with adaptive technologies are back in the labs etc I 

> find that most of the software is not useable.  In August I informed 

> ICL and network staff that Kurzweil 3000 had a 10.04 update.  They 

> continue to install version 10.00 only and consequently the audio 

> output does not function correctly.  We have ZoomText version 8.0. the 

> most recent update for that version corrects "crashes" when the 

> reading features are activated with Word 2007.  ICL continues to 

> install ZT without the proper update. 

>

>  

>

> ICL staff members I need to deal with insist they cannot install even 

> JAWS or ZoomText icons on the desktop or start menu due to security 

> protocols.  This hinders our low vision students' access.  I have 

> expressed concerns about ensuring accessibility, as well as enhancing 

> retention and academic progress of students with disabilities.  I have 

> been told ICL will not install software updates unless a computer 

> quits working and needs to be ghosted.  An ICL staff member expressed 

> the feeling that adaptive software was only meant for home computers 

> and not a secure network environment.  It has been suggested to me 

> that students should bring their own computers to school rather than 

> expect that adaptive software will work on institutional computers or 

> that AT computer workstations should be off the network with the 

> expectation they will not be well maintained.

>

>  

>

> Over the years our institution has moved heavily toward the use of 

> information and communication technology.  Our department matched that 

> trend in the purchase of a wide array of adaptive software and 

> hardware.  Now due to security measures students with disabilities are 

> in danger of being relegated to the technological backwaters.  The 

> administration supports the security protocols because a rash of 

> viruses two years ago shut down the network at a critical time.  The 

> ICL department wants our department to be responsible for the licenses 

> but not the installs.  Do you have any suggestions?

>

>  

>

> Larry Kiser, Counselor

>

> Disabilities Resource Center

>

> Santa Fe Community College

>

> Gainesville, FL

>

>  

>

>  

>

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>

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