KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010 / NEWS
15
NATIONAL
Colleges required to update e-readers for blind
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — Federal officials are requiring colleges that use Kindles and other electronic book readers in the classroom to make sure the gadgets have accommodations for blind and vision-impaired students.
The U.S. Departments of Justice and Education sent a letter to college and university presidents Tuesday instructing them to find alternatives for blind students if the devices are required in the classroom.
Not doing so would be a violation of federal law, said Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department.
The federal government began examining last year whether the use of Kindles and other e-readers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act after a blind Arizona State University student sued the campus in June alleging that Kindle's inaccessibility to blind students constituted a violation of federal law.
The lawsuit was settled in January with the help of the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind.
Many e-readers have text-to-speech functions, but those don't apply to menus, which means that a blind person would still need help using the device, Ali said.
"The key here is fully accessible, not in-part accessible," Ali told The Associated Press. "Blind users cannot navigate the menu. They couldn't fast forward or even know which book they were reading."
So far, four universities — including Princeton University — struck deals with the Justice Department and agreed to shelve the e-readers until they are fully functional for blind students.
The other campuses are: Pace University, Case Western Reserve University and Reed College.
CAMPUS
Online portal sends health information
BY JANENE GIER
jgier@kansan.com
Student Health Services launched a new online system allowing patients and students access to health information through the Kyou portal earlier this month.
"There will be improved communication between patients and their providers, with a more timely follow-up." Joe Gillespie, associate director of Student Health Services, said. "Currently, the nurses play a lot of phone tag. Sometimes they may try to reach a patient three times and now they can send a secure message."
The new patient portal allows medical staff and patients to communicate online through secure messages and view important medical account information.
Gillespie said the features currently available through the portal not only allow secure messaging between providers and patients, but also allows them to view account balance information, view and print immunization records and view and cancel appointments.
"The contact time we have with patients is going to be more quality time because now we'll have time to do that. We won't be making 15 calls a day to just leave messages for people to call us back. Now, I'll be able to spend time explaining things to those who are available," Melody Volek, Student Health Services staff registered nurse, said.
Because much of the world is turning to online service, some students were surprised that this didn't
"Sometimes when it comes to health, it's too much information all at once. They can't always absorb it. Or if they're in a noisy place while they're on the phone with us, they may just not hear all of it." Volek said.
Volek said she's looking forward to the secure messaging system because it will provide more clarity to patients by giving them written directions that they can open up and look at again for future reference.
"Everything's online. It makes it a lot easier. It's not fun when you want to talk to someone and you can't get answers and this sounds convenient," Lisa Ellenbaum, a senior from Topeka, said.
maintain contact with their medical professionals primarily by phone and in person because they're more comfortable discussing health matters one-on-one.
Some students would rather
"I prefer to use a phone because it's a guarantee
happen sooner.
that they'll listen. I would only use the internet to submit things if it was a last resort," Edgar Solis, a freshman from Kansas City, Kan., said.
If students wish to opt out of the online notification system, they
Volek said she understands that some would rather have direct contact than go through the portal. But the contact, she said, isn't going to go away.
"This service will best be suited for things that are repetitive and don't need that personal touch: appointment time reminders, etc."
can do so when filling out HIPPA information, Gillespie said.
Individuals who are contacted by Student Health Services will receive an e-mail notifying them that they have a secure message.
"There will be improved communication between patients and their providers, with a more timely follow-up."
To check the message, initiate secure online contact with Student
JOE GILLESPIE associate director of Student Health Services
Health Services or access account information, go to the KU website. Click on Kyou and continue with secure login.
"Only students will see a 'KU Student Health' option on the 'Services' tab within the
Kyou portal. The Student Health Services portal is not viewable by their parents, who have been given an account for accessing the Kyou portal," Gillespie said.
Other online features planned for the future include the abilities to ask nurses health questions, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, compile personal health records, complete immunization and health history forms, fill out pre-visit questionnaires and fill out post-visit surveys, Gillespie said. He said features will be announced as they become available.
Saddlebrook TOWNHOMES
Ultimate Living in a Perfect Setting | 625 Folks Rd
1 & 2 Bedroom Luxury Townhomes Washer/Dryer in every unit Attached One Car Garage Fitness Center, Pool & Spa
saddlebrook@sunflower.com | www.firstmanagementinc.com | 785-832-8200
pipelineproductions.com
Wed June 30
Whiskey Wednesdays w/
OFVERONA
Thurs July 1
TINHORN MOLLY
w/ Grace Askew & Tyler Gregory
Fri July 2
MIKE PINTO
w/ Wrong Kata Trio & Quiet Corral
BOTTLENECK
737 New Hampshire
thebottlenecklive.com
Verizon Wireless Concert Series Mon July 5
w/ Justin Townes Earle
LEVON HELM
Tues July 6
MODEST MOUSE
w/Avi Buffalo
Thurs July 8
GRACE POTTER
and the Nocturnals
DAR WILLIAMS
SARA WATKINS
CARRIE RODRIGUEZ
JULIA PETERSON
Thurs July 29
Fri July 16
$ELLOUT!
w/The Zeroes
Jonathan Tyler & N.Lights
OLD 97'S LUCERO
Fri Aug 6
BETTER THAN EZRA
Thurs Aug 12
SLIGHTLY STOOPID
CYPRESS HILL
Thurs Aug19
GEORGE THOROGOOD
Fri Aug 27
BIG HEAD TODD
w/BoDEANS
Fri Sept 3
PAT GREEN
Sun Sept 5
STS9 w/Ghostland Observatory
Sat Sept 25 AVETT BROTHERS
Sun Oct 3 BLUE OCTOBER
CROSSROAD SKC AT ORTONG
verson 417 E. 18th-KC, MO
www.crossroadskc.com
---