Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Thomas, Master of Information Systems Management
He immediately contacted his reader from high school and undergraduate school and received approval from Keller to be reimbursed for the expenses. Thomas admits, "I had to be aggressive about it. I had to provide a rationale as to why I needed a reader!"
Name: Thomas McKeithan
Age: 31
Marital Status: Married
Current Location: Washington, D.C.
Personal Quote: "I make it a point to speak with each of my professors sometime during the semester. It's not just on the schools; I have an obligation, too."
School: Keller Graduate School of Management
Target: Master of Information Systems
"During the conversation, I sat in my office, prayed, and then provided an effective explanation in that the material is complex, there's a lot and I have to use project management software that is inaccessible for my projects, there's a lot of graphs that I need interpreted, and I deserve the accommodation!"
And now? "Keller knows the direction that needs to be happening with me and we are charting this course together. I'll be the first to admit that there are some intense discussions that have occurred, but my advisor, Dacia and I always end the conversation with a thought or two to lighten the mood."
"Dacia has really been an advocate for me and an outstanding advisor, we connected during our first conversation in February 2006, we both have an interest in music and spiritual and academic growth, she's genuinely supportive and cares about my success."
Thomas knows that these sorts of delays and problems are not isolated to online schools. "It happens in a traditional setting as well, the difference is that you have more time to take corrective action before the 16 weeks are over."
His e-books are accessible, and there are a variety of screen readers available on the market, such as JAWS (Thomas uses Window-Eyes from GW Micro), but some websites, complex graphics and tables have not been designed to be compatible with such programs and are not Section 508 compliant.
"There were a number of simulations I had to do for Economics, and I had to have my reader describe the graphics to me." Though understanding these simulations was required for the course, they "were not 508 compliant." His Accounting course also includes some intricate tables as well. His reader reads with him for two to three hours two nights a week, but after that, the mind requires rest.
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