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@...>
To: paul_martzen@...



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.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@...
Sent: 27 Oct 08 00:12:31
To: <gre-info@...>
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.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@...
> Sent: 21 Oct 08 11:35:50
> To: <gre-info@...>
> Cc:
> Subject: Test Administration
>
> Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
> (paul_martzen@...) on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:35:46
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ref_web_page:
http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vg\
nextoid=ebf42d3631df4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=ca8946f1674f4010V\
gnVCM10000022f95190RCRD
>
> email2: paul_martzen@...
>
> 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
>
>