[Athen] Screen readers/other software

[Shawn Foster]

$40,000? Wow, you must have WAY more computers on campus than we do....
Ours is $2,000 for approximately 2100 computers campus-wide, and the
grant specifically stated that we could keep the software without the
SMA, we just wouldn't be eligible for upgrades and tech support.
 
Premier has been very helpful for a number of our LD students, as well
as students whose first language is not English, students who prefer
dual-sensory input. Many non-disabled students are beginning to use it
as another tool in the learning arsenal. We have faculty who use the
software, as well.
 
That being said, I absolutely agree with Jim that Premier is NOT
adequate on its own for AT purposes. (I'd never recommend Universal
Reader in place of JAWS, for example. Yikes!) We have a number of other
applications in place that are more hefty supports for those who need
them. Premier is just ONE of the options that we provide for students in
the quest for universal access.
 
Happy Monday, all!
 
Shawn Foster
Assistive Technology Specialist
Disability Services for Students
Southern Oregon University
V/TTY: (541)552-6213



>>> On 4/7/2008 at 3:28 PM, in message

<866D94404CE9D049B12203795063D4DCBCD39E at Dccdmail3.dccd.cc.ca.us>,
"Daryl Murphy" <dmurphy at collegeofthedesert.edu> wrote:

I agree.  The premier grant last for 1 year and then sends out an
invoice for $40,000 to keep the suite as a site license, otherwise you
are running an un-authorize version which according to Premier’s ULA as
pirated software. 
 

 
 

 

From:athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On
Behalf Of Marks, Jim
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 03:17
To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network
Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen readers/other software

 
Hi Carol,
 
Every time I say this, it seems to cause troubles.  But, here goes
anyhow.  
 
Premier is fine, but it will not replace better assistive technology. 
In my opinion, Premier should serve as a supplement, never the only
option a campus uses to comply with civil rights laws.  Premier does
some things well, but it does less than what more expensive assistive
technologies can do.  Function has to be a primary concern, and colleges
should find the money it takes to provide the best access.  I think of
Premier as a low-cost alternative in which one gets what one pays for. 
I also think the Premier grant thing is a marketing scheme, not really a
grant.
 
People with disabilities should have the tools it takes to participate
fully in higher education.  It's wrong to barter away equal access just
to save a buck.  On the other hand, if the less costly alternative
works, then go for it.  Some make the argument that many don't need all
the bells and whistles, and there is merit to that argument.    Premier
will not work as well as the more expensive options, though, and making
sure our post-secondary programs are accessible is sort of the whole
point.  We need tools that work well.  Reliance on Premier alone just
won't do the trick.
 
 
 
 
Jim Marks
Director of Disability Services
University of Montana
jim.marks at umontana.edu 
http://www.umt.edu/dss/ 
 

 

 

From:athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On
Behalf Of Carol Raymundo
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:54 PM
To: athen at athenpro.org 
Subject: [Athen] Screen readers/other software

I am wondering if anyone uses Premier Literacy software (formerly
Premier Assistive Technology). 

 

Has anyone taken advantage of their grant program? If so, what do you
like and what don't you like about the program?

 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20080407/f1fa50bc/attachment.html>