[Athen] Word for Mac headings question

[Susan Kelmer]

Microsoft office is still the standard on most campuses and ubiquitous in corporations and organizations around the world.  This makes it a de facto standard, in my mind. Yes, many campuses are also using Google docs, as well, but in the end, the use of Word is a standard and what instructors are looking for in submitted work.

That may change in the future, but for now, this is the norm.

Also, this is why I suggest to faculty that they provide BOTH versions – the one in Word, and the one in PDF.  The student who wants PDF can use that one, and the student who prefers Word can use that one.

Susan Kelmer
Alternate Format Production Program Manager
Disability Services
University of Colorado Boulder
303-735-4836



From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Stephen (Alex) Marositz
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2019 11:13 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Word for Mac headings question

Hi All

I’ve been thinking about this too. Since the viewers for office applications have gone away, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/979860/supported-versions-of-the-office-viewers

It hardly seems appropriate to ask instructors and other content contributors to publish in Word only. Yes, the mobile versions of the apps are free but few actually know that. So, what format other than PDF would be appropriate? I am asking this even though I know that PDF, forms in particular, are in accessible in oSX, iOS, Android and Chrome OS.

As of now,, my training is to publish accessible PDF and include a statement like, if you would like this document in an alternative format, contact us at###

Is there something better we should be doing?

Thanks

Stephen Alex Marositz
ATI Coordinator
CSUDH
Ext 3077

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Susan Kelmer
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2019 9:01 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Word for Mac headings question


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Most faculty tell me they want a PDF so the student can’t change anything.  I remind them that a student changing a faculty-issued document is an honor code violation and should be reported as such, that it isn’t their problem to solve.  I also ask them if they’ve ever known of a time when the student changed something and got away with it.  Usually none of them have ever encountered a problem. Also, they were usually told by another faculty member to protect their materials by creating a PDF, but there is no real evidence that changing of a Word file by a student is an actual thing or is used often.

Then I remind them that a Word document is ultimately the MOST accessible document for any student, and to just publish in Word whenever possible.  Of if they insist, I tell them to post both the Word and the PDF, and the student can pick what they want.

Like Sean said, we still have a looooong way to go.  There are rumors, myths, and other obfuscations that make it so much more difficult on us.  On the plus side, none of us will be unemployed any time soon!

Susan Kelmer
Alternate Format Production Program Manager
Disability Services
University of Colorado Boulder
303-735-4836



From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Sean Keegan
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2019 9:46 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Word for Mac headings question


> And, Sean, what is the most common response

> when you ask faculty why the want a document in PDF?


Generally, the response has been so that the document can't be changed. That said, I have started hearing lately that faculty are saving as PDF "because they were told it's now accessible."

Still much work to be done...

Sean

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