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what you really need is a blind test taker who touch types only on
Dvorak.
Bob
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008, Patrick S Horne wrote:
> You can keep complaining up the line, but it may not get you anywhere. Legal
> action may be your only recourse.
>
> On the other hand, the ETS does make other arrangements for people with
> disabilities. You could submit a request for special accommodations through
> their usual channels. Claim that QWERTY causes you pain in the wrists and
> that you can type properly only with Dvorak. If necessary, you can get a
> letter from a doctor. Also point out that the stress of having to contend
> with QWERTY during an exam would be inimical to interests: it would slow you
> down (a real concern during a timed exam) and force you to focus on striking
> keys rather than on composing your thoughts.
>
> If you're a touch-typist, mention that you need only the driver to be
> changed, not the physical keyboard. The keyboard that I am using right now
> is marked with one of the French Canadian layouts, but I'm using my own
> Dvorak driver. I don't mind very much that the keytops are labelled in
> QWERTY, since I usually do not look at them when typing.
>
> Good luck with your efforts.
>
> Scott Horne
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
> Behalf Of Paul Martzen
> Sent: 29 octobre 2008 19:28
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [altkeyboards] [Fwd: GRE Program Case ID 5639912]
>
>
>
>
> Here is the final reply from GRE to my repeated inquiries. Short and
> unsweet. Looks like Collin and any others who want to take the GRE
> typing portion using Dvorak are out of luck until we can figure out how
> to persuade them to offer this option.
>
> If enough people complain, it might make a difference. If a few
> colleges and universities complained and requested Dvorak option, that
> would likely carry a lot of weight. A lawsuit might have a chance.
> Hard to know what would change their policy, but clearly, discrimination
> of this type is probably big reason why many people will not consider
> using Dvorak.
>
> Paul
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: GRE Program Case ID 5639912
> From: GRE <gre-info@ets. <mailto:gre-info%40ets.org> org>
> To: paul_martzen@ <mailto:paul_martzen%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com
>
> Thank you for contacting the GRE Program.
>
> Dear Paul Martzen,
>
> Regarding your inquiry:
>
> We regret we are unable to be of assistance to you at this time.
>
> Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. If
> you have additional questions, please contact our Customer Service team at
> (866) 473-4373 or (609) 771-7670, or visit our Web site at www.gre.org. If
> you contact us via e-mail, please include all previous correspondence or a
> summary of information regarding your inquiry.
>
> ETS is committed to improving your customer service experience. Please take
> a moment and complete a short Customer Service Survey at http://surveys1013.
> <http://surveys1013.websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/bfried/ETSProgramEmail.htm?WSB36
> =GRE> websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/bfried/ETSProgramEmail.htm?WSB36=GRE so that
> we may identify ways to improve our service to you. If you're unable to
> access the survey by clicking on the link, please copy the entire link and
> paste it into the address bar of your web browser.
>
> Thank you in advance for your participation.
>
> Be sure to add @ets.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure
> that you receive e-mail messages from ETS.
> Paul-1735
> CRM#5639912
>
> TRACKING NUMBER: A00007348199-00027770669
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: paul_martzen@ <mailto:paul_martzen%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com
> Sent: 27 Oct 08 00:12:31
> To: <gre-info@ets. <mailto:gre-info%40ets.org> org>
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: GRE PROGRAM
>
> I was hoping for a more encouraging response.
>
> The Dvorak keyboard layout was designed to be the most comfortable and
> efficient layout on standard keyboards. It is named after August Dvorak
> who researched typing efficiency and comfort before settling on this
> design.
>
> Dvorak is now a standard layout easily available in the software
> settings on all modern computer operating systems. Inexpensive Dvorak
> labeled keyboards or key overlays are commonly available. Keyboards
> which are hardwired to switch between Dvorak and Qwerty are available.
> Making the Dvorak option available to any computer user who needs to use
> it, is a trivial matter. Increasing numbers of typists are learning
> and converting to Dvorak. Arbitrary discrimination against Dvorak
> users by companies such as ETS is a big roadblock to more typists using
> this easier layout.
>
> Those of us who choose to use the Dvorak layout do so for varied but
> important and legitimate reasons. Comfort and ease of learning are
> important to many. Reduction of repetitive stress injuries (rsi) is a
> concern for others. Two factors are especially important to me. Typing
> on a Qwerty layout has always felt tremendously awkward and confusing
> for me and I have never been able to touch type on that layout.
> However, when I tried the Dvorak layout, it quickly made sense and felt
> logical and comfortable to me. I am able to touch type on the Dvorak
> layout where I never could on Qwerty.
>
> Once a typist chooses to use Dvorak over Qwerty and has used it
> exclusively for many years, it becomes difficult and objectionable to be
> forced to type in Qwerty, especially when there is no legitimate reason
> to do so. Forcing me to type with the Qwerty layout is an arbitrary
> discrimination against me and puts me at a disadvantage compared to
> those who are typing on their preferred layout. It would be the same
> if you arbitrarily forced Qwerty users to type on the Dvorak layout.
> They would strongly object. Even though a great many more people would
> object to typing on the Dvorak layout, their objections would be the
> same as my objection to typing on the Qwerty layout.
>
> It would be extremely easy for the GRE to offer the Dvorak layout option
> to test takers who need to use it. The cost to ETS for such an
> accommodation is likely to be miniscule. I can think of no pragmatic
> reason that you do not offer this option, so I assume that not enough
> people have complained about this failure. I do consider the lack of a
> Dvorak option to be a failure on the part of ETS and I will continue to
> complain about it.
>
> Paul Martzen
>
> GRE wrote:
> > Thank you for contacting the GRE Program.
> >
> > Dear Paul,
> >
> > Regarding your inquiry:
> >
> > The GRE Test is administered on a standard English language (QWERTY)
> computer keyboard. QWERTY is the most common modern-day keyboard layout on
> English language computer keyboards. It takes its name from the first six
> letters displayed at the top of the keyboard. We recommend that test takers
> practice typing on a QWERTY computer keyboard before taking the GRE.
> >
> > Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
> >
> > If you have additional questions, please contact our Customer Service team
> at (866) 473-4373 or (609) 771-7670, or visit our Web site at www.gre.org.
> If you contact us via e-mail, please include all previous correspondence or
> a summary of information regarding your inquiry.
> >
> > ETS is committed to improving your customer service experience. Please
> take a moment and complete a short Customer Service Survey at
> http://surveys1013.
> <http://surveys1013.websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/bfried/ETSProgramEmail.htm?WSB36
> =GRE> websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/bfried/ETSProgramEmail.htm?WSB36=GRE so that
> we may identify ways to improve our service to you. If you're unable to
> access the survey by clicking on the link, please copy the entire link and
> paste it into the address bar of your web browser.
> >
> > Thank you in advance for your participation.
> >
> >
> > Be sure to add @ets.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure
> that you receive e-mail messages from ETS.
> > AXK1352
> > CRM# 5639912
> >
> > TRACKING NUMBER: A00007348199-00027705368
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> >
> > From: paul_martzen@ <mailto:paul_martzen%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com
> > Sent: 21 Oct 08 11:35:50
> > To: <gre-info@ets. <mailto:gre-info%40ets.org> org>
> > Cc:
> > Subject: Test Administration
> >
> > Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
> > (paul_martzen@ <mailto:paul_martzen%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com) on Tuesday,
> October 21, 2008 at 11:35:46
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> > ref_web_page: http://www.ets.
> <http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc392150
> 9/?vgnextoid=ebf42d3631df4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=ca8946f1
> 674f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD>
> org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=ebf
> 42d3631df4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=ca8946f1674f4010VgnVCM10
> 000022f95190RCRD
> >
> > email2: paul_martzen@ <mailto:paul_martzen%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com
> >
> > message: I understand that the GRE test now has a typing component on a
> computer keyboard. I touch type exclusively using the Dvorak keyboard
> layout, which is a standard feature in all computer operating systems and
> which is an approved ANSI keyboard layout.
> >
> > While I can hunt and peck on the Qwerty keyboard layout, I cannot touch
> type on that layout and would be at a big disadvantage if I am forced to use
> the Qwerty layout.
> >
> > Do your test computers have options to switch between Qwerty and Dvorak,
> or do you have hard wired Dvorak labeled keyboards available for the use of
> myself and other Dvorak users?
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Paul Martzen
> >
> > name_first: Paul
> >
> > name_last: Martzen
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
-
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