[Athen] RE: Accessible Accounting Software?

Robert Beach rbeach at KCKCC.EDU
Mon Apr 30 17:11:18 PDT 2012


Hi,

As already mentioned, there are now scripts for JAWS that supposedly makes PeachTree accessible. I have not worked with them eitehr, but they sound promising. Also, there is an accounting package out of Australia that was created with visually impaired individuals in mind. It has a US version, so it should be fine in that regard. The question is, will the instructors accept work done in a different package.

Regarding the students other requests, I would say these are not reasonable accommodations. You are required to make the software accessible, if possible. The scripts "should" do that. You are required to provide the book in an accessible format. If it isn't done already, then you can either out-source it or do it in-house. Now, if you have made the elements of the course accessible, then it is the student's responsibility to use the systems, unless he can show that the systems are not accessible for him. Not wanting to do the work himself is not the same as not accessible.

Just my two cents worth, and that's probably over priced. <grin>

BTW, I am a JAWS user and I have a degree in accounting. I had to take a few courses with computerized software as part of my major. However, that was back in the dark ages of DOS. Ring a bell anybody? <smile> If I can be of help, I would be happy to try.

________________________________________
From: athen-list-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [athen-list-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Normajean.Brand [normajean.brand at hccs.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 4:54 PM
To: ATHEN
Subject: [Athen] Accessible Accounting Software?

My first question: Is there an accounting software that works with JAWS or WindowsEyes for the blind?

We have a blind student (no sight) who insists on taking an accounting class that is dependent on using Peachtree accounting software as part of the curriculum. Maybe it’s because I don’t know JAWS well enough but I’m not able to get JAWS to work with Peachtree. Admittedly, I also don’t know Peachtree accounting software either. This student is also “insisting” that we purchase software that is accessible and books that are accessible to him so he can take this class. It’s not a class that is on his degree plan so it would be an elective.

Note: This student also does not have nor wants to learn computer skills, does not have nor wants to learn JAWS or other assistive software. He is expecting someone to read the textbooks, scribe/read his tests, search for the answers for him, and use the software for him. Is there something I’m missing or are these reasonable requests?

I keep checking all the usual places for the textbooks in an accessible format that he might be able to use and so far the books are not available.

Any suggestions are welcome!

Norma Jean

NJ Brand
Houston Community College-Northwest
ADA Technician
Technology and Instructional Computing
Room RC13
1010 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
Houston TX 77043
VM/Office: 713.718.5604
FAX: 713.718.5430
Email: normajean.brand at hccs.edu<mailto:normajean.brand at hccs.edu>
http://northwest.hccs.edu




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