[Athen] Repost: Google Apps Evaluation

[scott williams]

The University of Michigan is in contract negotiations with Google. We told
them that we were holding off negotiations until they could show us an
accessible version of Google Apps. I expect to be a member of the pilot here
on campus so I can evaluate its accessibility before a campus-wide rollout.
They are trying to publish a more accessible version of Google Apps by fall.
I am going to wait to evaluate the updated version (or a substantial number
of micro-upgrades). I do know that they are working closely with the NFB to
reach a settlement, so I do expect real change, but the proof is in the
pudding.

I think we surprised them with our firm stance, but we told them that even
though the NFB is happy with Google's progress, that wouldn't stop the NFB
from coming at us should a student file a complaint here. And that is not a
risk we're going to take.

I would be very interested in participating in this group. I agree with Jon
and Greg that Google would welcome the effort, and it will help keep them on
the right track.

Best,

Scott

On Tue, May 10, 2011 at 9:14 AM, Greg Kraus <greg_kraus at ncsu.edu> wrote:


> Hi Ron,

>

> I've been talking with some members of the Google Apps for Education

> Team about this and have offered to coordinate with ATHEN an

> accessibility interest group to work with Google like we have done

> with Blackboard and Elluminate/Blackboard. We are a Google Apps campus

> so we definitely have a vested interest in this. So far Google has not

> taken me up on this offer.

>

> I can say that Google is keenly aware of the issue and is trying to

> address it. We at NC State have built some relationships with the

> Google Apps for Education Team so I am happy to coordinate an ATHEN

> interest group if others are interested in participating.

>

> Greg

>

> --

> Greg Kraus

> University IT Accessibility Coordinator

> Office of Information Technology

> North Carolina State University

> 919.513.4087

>

>

>

> On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 6:45 PM, Sean J Keegan <skeegan at stanford.edu>

> wrote:

> > Good morning folks, hope you are staying above water!

> >

> > I have received several request for ATHEN or another unbiased group to do

> an

> > objective evaluation of the accessibility of the current version of

> Google

> > Apps.  This would be of a similar nature of our work on the iTunes work

> we

> > did a few years back.  If you are aware of anyone who has already done a

> > compressive, cross disability evaluation that is great and I will pass

> that

> > on to those who have inquired.

> >

> > At this point I am needing someone who has the time and available

> bandwidth

> > to take a project of this nature on and to be the leader of the project.

> >

> > Ron Stewart

> >

> > ************************************************************************

> > Ron Stewart

> > Managing Consultant

> > Altformat Solutions LLC

> >

> > 8300 West Weller St

> > Yorktown, IN 47396

> > Mobile: 609 213-2190

> > Fax: 765 405-1484

> >

> > ron at altformatsolutions.com

> > www.altformatsolutions.com

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-- 
Scott Williams
Web Accessibility Coordinator
Office of Institutional Equity
University of Michigan
734.764.0051
swims at umich.edu
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