I think she is saying that the reach to the hoods isn't the problem. It is reaching the actual brake lever with her fingers when her hands are on the hoods that is the problem.

BTW, SRAM brifters are adjustable reach. It doesn't mean they are set up that way, but if you do get them, make sure whoever installs them sets the reach on the smallest possible setting . This will effectively bring the brake lever part of the brifter closer to the bar and should make it easier for you to reach with your fingers. It's not a shim, either, which imo is a better solution than the Shimano/Specialized shim.