[blindkid] Looking forward
Albert J Rizzi
albert at myblindspot.org
Mon Mar 8 14:01:12 UTC 2010
Here is another real assessment of what is happening out there. Nothing as
informative as the aAP!
According to the AP, efforts are underway to make the Web more accessible.
What if you could not use a traditional keyboard or mouse interface? Have
you ever been frustrated by the distorted letters a webpage uses to prove
you are human, as if you could be a chicken typing the keys. Well movement
is underway to help make the Web available to people with severe
disabilities.
Websites of today are like the entry way to a business, and there is a big
market in making the business open to as many people as possible.
Studies tell us that there are about sixty million of us with some kind of
disability.
The World Wide Web Consortium, which develops standards for the Web, has
issued guidelines for designers to help them create more accessible sites.
They include providing text labels for images, captions on audio and video
and making keyboard shortcuts for people who can't use a mouse.
"When the Web is designed well, it is so enabling. It allows people to
contribute on an equal plane," said Shawn Lawton Henry, outreach coordinator
at the consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative.
While most federal government Web sites are required by law to be
accessible, companies have no legal obligation to incorporate the features.
But Jim Thatcher, who developed the IBM screen reader, which blind people
use to read the Internet, said the threat of civil rights lawsuits has
motivated some companies.
Last year, Target Corp. agreed to pay $6 million in damages to plaintiffs in
a California class action lawsuit who were unable to use its Web site.
Thatcher, who was an expert witness during the trial, said there were many
links on Target's site that were unintelligible to screen-reading software.
He said there have been improvements since the settlement with the National
Federation of the Blind.
Apple Inc. also reached an agreement with the state of Massachusetts to
alter the program iTunes to make it accessible to the blind.
"No question that companies are seeking more help since those cases," said
Thatcher, who is working with Amazon.com on its site.
Apple's iPhone has been praised for its accessibility features, including
screen reader audio that comes standard on the machine.
Knowing how disabled people use the Web is the first step to making the Web
accessible, experts say.
At Yahoo Inc. headquarters in Silicon Valley, an "Accessibility Lab" allows
programmers and developers to try various assistive technology software and
hardware.
The lab's directors, Victor Tsaran and Alan Brightman, show visitors how
screen reader software works, and make them try Braille keyboards, a
head-controlled mouse, joy sticks, trackballs and other tools employed by
disabled users to navigate the Web.
"Our goal is to make people feel more at ease with disabilities," explains
Tsaran, who is blind. "And our task is to make technology work for people.
Accessibility is a big, big, big, big part of that."
The lab, which opened almost two years ago, is available to Yahoo employees
as well as developers from other companies.
"Our feeling is everything should be as accessible as possible," Brightman
said. "Let's not compete over whether a disabled person can use your site."
Guy Thomas, of San Leandro, who has little arm movement because of a
neuromuscular disability, plays a lot of games on the Internet, using a
trackball and mouse stick. He said there are some games that have made
adaptations for otherwise challenging moves, such as hitting one key while
holding down another. Those improvements, he said, are essential to letting
him enjoy the new games on the Web.
"When you're playing a game, it's one of the few places you don't have to be
disabled. You're just a guy, playing a game," he said. "But if you run into
an obstacle, it's the same as if I was on a basketball court unable to throw
a ball to the hoop."
Experts say accessibility features make a better Internet for all.
For example, the ability to zoom in on a map or magnify font was conceived
for people with low vision but it's helpful for anyone.
"It's like sidewalks. You build a wheelchair ramp and not only is it a
better sidewalk for those users, but for strollers, luggage, delivery
people," Brightman said.
Yahoo recently made upgrades to its home page to add labels that make it
easier for people using screen readers to jump around the page. The Internet
company also has added audio CAPTCHA image verifications for users who can
neither see nor comprehend the distorted words.
Google Inc., whose programmers have used the Yahoo lab, recently introduced
automatic machine-generated captions for videos on its YouTube site to make
them accessible to the deaf and hearing-impaired. It's all about being
aware," said Henry of the Web consortium. "Often if you don't know anyone
with a disability,
Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York 10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."
Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 8:24 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
On the other hand, parents wanted realistic assessments. So some benefits
were gained.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
> Spit away my friend. I am going to drop this topic here and now as it is
> as
> David Andrews suggested not the right forum for this discussion. It is a
> place to discuss hope and opportunity for our blind youth and their
> parents.
> There is nothing hopeful about this dialogue. Peace.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York 10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 1:52 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>
> And even if we demand and there aren't enough of us, it still won't
> happen.
>
> I can tell you from the inside that even with devices that we think are
> the
> greatest, it's tough to sell twenty thousand. That's chump-change to
> mainstream industry. Let's get an economic grip here!
>
> But I realize that I'm spitting into the wind.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>
>
>> Lol, I like that story. But, advocating is a key in all things. It is
>> simple economics 101 supply and demand. If we do not demand products
>> which
>> adhere to our accessibility needs, they will not be supplied. Or in the
>> worst case scenario we will be given what others think we need. And then
>> we
>> are right where they want us, rather then us being where we want and need
>> to
>> be. each technology can be tweaked and customized as our preferences
>> desire
>> yet without working on corporations and federal offices to comply with
>> writing programs taking into consideration our accessible technologies,
>> we
>> will always have tools that do half the job. We must move to compliance
>> of
>> accessibility codings for inter and intra net if we are to be able to use
>> our technology tools to the best of their intended design.
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York 10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Susan Harper
>> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 11:46 AM
>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>
>> Hi All,
>> I think it is important that we look at all technology and ask
>> ourselves is this usable and how can we access it for ourselves and our
>> children. I have to agree that specifically targeted adaptive equipment,
>> regardless of what it is aimed at, has a significantly higher price tag
>> and
>> doesn't always deliver. Grandstanding or not, we as a community must
>> make
>> ourselves heard and be specific about what we want. Companies will not
>> know
>> what we want or need unless we ask! It is not a one size fits all.
>> Unfortunately, those who stand back and wait are going to wait a long
>> time.
>> It still holds true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep on
>> advocating! Don't worry as you can't please everyone all the time and
>> end
>> up pleasing no one.
>>
>> Story to illustrate my point: I have given the condensed version,
>> from
>> a story that was used in a second grade home school English book
>> yesterday. A man and a boy walked with their donkey to town the to sell
>> him. They met a man/woman who said, "Don't be foolish, let the boy ride
>> the
>> donkey." Next they met a man/woman who said, "Lazy boy, let the old man
>> ride the donkey and walk." Next they met a man/woman who said, "That
>> donkey
>> can carry you both." Next they met a man/woman who said, "That poor
>> donkey
>> carrying the two of you, you should be carrying him." So the man and the
>> boy carried the donkey into town, where everyone laughed at them and
>> said,
>> "Why are you carrying the donkey instead on riding him?" The man became
>> angry and said, We will do what I though best the first time. The point
>> of
>> the is, "When one tries to please everybody, he/she pleases nobody, not
>> even
>> himself/herself."
>>
>> Blessings,
>> Sue H.
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 9:14 AM, Albert J Rizzi
>> <albert at myblindspot.org>wrote:
>>
>>> I would have to disagree with you on the universality approach to
>>> accessibility I have yet to find reason to believe that by addressing a
>>> broad array of disabilities or that products being sold as accessible
>> ready
>>> would do anything but open doors of opportunity. I wish the phone
>> companies
>>> of this country would understand how important speech to text and
>>> accessible
>>> phones are to the blind and disabled. While I do not like band standing
>>> on
>>> products, which does happen from time to time on these threads, I do
>>> feel
>>> that we as a community need to take a long hard look at why technologies
>>> are
>>> not following the same compliance regulations as purportedly required
>>> by
>>> law. Even the federal government and local municipalities and schools
>> turn
>>> a blind eye to the disability communities technological needs. At least
>>> there are players out there making strides to adhere to section 507 and
>>> section 504 guidelines of the rehab act or the ADA.
>>>
>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> CEO/Founder
>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> New York, New York 10004
>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>>> is
>>> doing it."
>>>
>>>
>>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 10:14 PM
>>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>>
>>> I agree. And Steve is right; there was far more than a great deal of
>> hidden
>>> marketing in Calvo's diatribe. And this is what bugs me about his
>>> doings;
>>> he
>>>
>>> tends to try to push his products while appearing to be a knight in
>> shining
>>> armor. I'd much rather have a straightforward sales pitch.
>>>
>>> Although I applaud Apple's efforts toward accessibility, I think we, the
>>> blind, should think long and hard before we espouse so-called "universal
>>> design" willy-nilly. Why? Because it is almost inevitable that products
>>> designed for a range of disabilities will not serve any one of them
>>> optimally. So we'll end up in a world of accessibility mediocrity.
>>>
>>> AS I say, Steve's post has much to recommend it.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Deborah Kent Stein" <dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 5:33 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > As a dedicated Braille reader I am wary of the idea of eliminating
>>> > companies that design technology exclusively for the blindness market.
>> I
>>> > highly doubt that mainstream companies will ever come forth with
>>> > devices
>>> > that include Braille displays. Refreshable Braille has expanded
>>> > Braille
>>> > access beyond my wildest dreams, and I worry that a shift to purely
>>> > mainstream products could turn out to be a giant step into speech
>>> > access
>>> > only.
>>> >
>>> > Debbie
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
>>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> > Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 4:45 PM
>>> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> Sally,
>>> >>
>>> >> I have hesitated to say anything because I feel that Serotek has very
>>> >> nice products but somewhat questionable marketing techniques. The
>>> >> fact
>>> >> is that to talk you
>>> >> away from JFW, HAL, or Window-Eyes right now is really talking you
>>> >> into
>>> >> his products in my opinion. He over-simplifies the situation with
>>> >> braille displays, too. He is
>>> >> using our frustrations and civil rights to direct frustration against
>>> his
>>>
>>> >> biggest compettitors without letting you know that he is doing that.
>>> >> This is also coming out just
>>> >> before the large CSUN conference which I feel makes the timing
>>> >> interesting. Let me be clear, he makes some good points, and his
>>> >> products tend to be good
>>> >> values, but this hit me wrong, too. There are some reasons that many
>> of
>>> >> us have felt that we have been better served to have some competition
>> in
>>> >> the screen
>>> >> reader arena even though it cost us more, rather than to push
>> Microsoft
>>> >> to create a screen reader, and I'd be glad to explain that sometime
>>> >> if
>>> >> you are interested.
>>> >> The picture is complicated.
>>> >>
>>> >> We should push to raise awareness of accessibility within mainstream
>>> >> software, and we need to watch how it works to do what Apple is
>>> >> doing.
>>> >> The writer is correct
>>> >> that things will be changing over time, but I think there was a good
>>> deal
>>>
>>> >> of hidden marketing here.
>>> >>
>>> >> Best regards,
>>> >>
>>> >> Steve Jacobson
>>> >>
>>> >> On Thu, 4 Mar 2010 08:31:24 -0600, Sally Thomas wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>>Do you think he's self serving? It seems to me that supporting
>>> >>>technology
>>> >>>that is accessible right out of the box is a good thing. I bought my
>>> son
>>>
>>> >>>a
>>> >>>Victor Reader and it languishes beside his iPod Touch which is used
>>> every
>>> >>>day. The Touch is smaller and more useful to him but both
>>> >>>technologies
>>> >>>cost
>>> >>>me about the same. I also thought that the NFB Technology Bill of
>>> Rights
>>> >>>was along these lines--equipment accessible right out of the box.
>>> >>
>>> >>>I would believe that his motives aren't pure since he is a
>>> >>>businessman
>>> >>>but I
>>> >>>am a bit tired of buying very expensive equipment only to find out a
>>> >>>couple
>>> >>>of months later that it is obsolete.
>>> >>
>>> >>>Sally Thomas
>>> >>>----- Original Message -----
>>> >>>From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>>> >>>To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> >>><blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> >>>Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 11:01 PM
>>> >>>Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>>> Pure demagoguery.
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> Mike
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> >>>> From: "Sally Thomas" <seacknit at gmail.com>
>>> >>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> >>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> >>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 9:16 AM
>>> >>>> Subject: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>>I received the following email from the TABS list. I hope this
>>> >>>>>isn't
>>> >>>>>redundant for you. I'm really excited by Serotek's plan.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> Subject: [leadership] Serotek declares war on the traditional
>>> adaptive
>>> >>>>> technology industry and their blind ghetto products
>>> >>>>> This is no warm fuzzy of a read, but something well worth the read
>>> and
>>> >>>>> in my opinion long over due. Kudos to SeroTekCited from
>>> >>>>> http://blog.serotek.com/
>>> >>>>> The Serotek Ultimatum
>>> >>>>> Serotek declares war on the traditional adaptive technology
>>> >>>>> industry
>>> >>>>> and their blind ghetto products. With this announcement we are
>>> >>>>> sending out a
>>> >>>>> call to arms to every blind person and every advocate for the
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> to
>>> >>>>> rise
>>> >>>>> up and throw off the tyranny that has shaped our lives for the
>>> >>>>> past
>>> >>>>> two
>>> >>>>> decades. It is a tyranny of good intentions - or at least what
>>> >>>>> began
>>> >>>>> as
>>> >>>>> good
>>> >>>>> intentions. But as the proverb says, "the road to hell is paved
>>> >>>>> with
>>> >>>>> good
>>> >>>>> intentions." And for the past two decades the technologies
>> originally
>>> >>>>> conceived to give us freedom have been our shackles. They have
>>> >>>>> kept
>>> us
>>> >>>>> tied
>>> >>>>> down to underperforming, obscenely expensive approaches that only
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> small
>>> >>>>> percentage of blind people can afford or master. They have
>>> >>>>> shackled
>>> us
>>>
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> government largess and the charity of strangers to pay for what
>>> >>>>> few
>>> >>>>> among
>>> >>>>> us
>>> >>>>> could afford on our own. And we have been sheep, lead down the
>>> >>>>> path,
>>> >>>>> bleating from time to time, but without the vision or the
>>> >>>>> resources
>>> to
>>> >>>>> stand
>>> >>>>> up and demand our due.
>>> >>>>> That time is past.
>>> >>>>> We stand today on the very edge of universal accessibility.
>>> Mainstream
>>> >>>>> products like the iPod, iPhone, and newly announced iPad are fully
>>> >>>>> accessible out of the box. And they bring with them a wealth of
>>> highly
>>> >>>>> desirable accessibility applications. The cost to blind people is
>>> >>>>> exactly
>>> >>>>> the same as the cost to sighted people. It's the same equipment,
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> same
>>> >>>>> software, the same functionality, and fully accessible.
>>> >>>>> What Apple has done, others are doing as well. The adaptive
>>> technology
>>> >>>>> vendor who creates hardware and software that is intended only for
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> folks, and then only if they are subsidized by the government, is
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> dinosaur. The asteroid has hit the earth, the dust cloud is
>>> >>>>> ubiquitous,
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> dinosaur's days are numbered.
>>> >>>>> But dinosaurs are huge, and their extinction does not happen
>>> >>>>> overnight..
>>> >>>>> Even as they die, they spawn others like them (take the Intel
>>> >>>>> Reader
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> example). Thank you, no. Any blind person can have full
>> accessibility
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> any
>>> >>>>> type of information without the high-cost, blind-ghetto gear. They
>>> can
>>> >>>>> get
>>> >>>>> it in the same products their sighted friends are buying. But
>>> >>>>> let's
>>> >>>>> face
>>> >>>>> it;
>>> >>>>> if we keep buying that crap and keep besieging our visual resource
>>> >>>>> center
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> buy that crap for us, the dinosaurs of the industry are going to
>> keep
>>> >>>>> making
>>> >>>>> it. Their profit margins are very good indeed. And many have
>> invested
>>> >>>>> exactly none of that profit in creating the next generation of
>> access
>>> >>>>> technology, choosing instead to perpetuate the status quo. For
>>> >>>>> instance,
>>> >>>>> refreshable braille technology, arguably the most expensive
>>> >>>>> blindness-specific(and to many very necessary) product has not
>>> changed
>>> >>>>> significantly in 30 years. Yet, the cost remains out of reach for
>>> most
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> people. Where's the innovation there? Why have companies not
>> invested
>>> >>>>> in
>>> >>>>> cheaper, faster, smaller, and more efficient ways to make
>> refreshable
>>> >>>>> braille? Surely the piezoelectric braille cell is not the only
>>> >>>>> way?
>>> >>>>> And
>>> >>>>> what
>>> >>>>> about PC-based OCR software? It's still around a thousand dollars
>> per
>>> >>>>> license, yet core functionality hasn't changed much; sure, we get
>> all
>>> >>>>> sorts
>>> >>>>> of features not at all related to reading, along with incremental
>>> >>>>> accuracy
>>> >>>>> improvements, but why are these prices not dropping either,
>>> especially
>>> >>>>> when
>>> >>>>> you consider that comparable off-the-shelf solutions like Abby
>>> >>>>> Finereader
>>> >>>>> can be had for as low as $79? ? And let's not forget the screen
>>> reader
>>> >>>>> itself, the core technology that all of us need to access our
>>> >>>>> computers
>>> >>>>> in
>>> >>>>> the first place. Do we see improvements, or just an attempt to
>>> >>>>> mimic
>>> >>>>> innovation with the addition of features which have nothing to do
>>> with
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> actual reading of the screen, while maintaining the same
>>> >>>>> ridiculous
>>> >>>>> price
>>> >>>>> point.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> This maintaining of the status quo will, inevitably, face an
>> enormous
>>> >>>>> crash,
>>> >>>>> worse than the transition from DOS to Windows based accessibility.
>>> You
>>> >>>>> can
>>> >>>>> expect a technology crash that will put users of the most
>>> >>>>> expensive
>>> >>>>> accessibility gear out of business.
>>> >>>>> Why? I won't bore you with all the technical details, but the
>>> >>>>> basic
>>> >>>>> story
>>> >>>>> is
>>> >>>>> that some of these products have been kept current with patches
>>> >>>>> and
>>> >>>>> fixes
>>> >>>>> and partial rewrites and other tricks we IT types use when we
>> haven't
>>> >>>>> got
>>> >>>>> the budget to do it right, but we need to make the product work
>>> >>>>> with
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> latest operating system. That process of patching and fixing
>>> >>>>> creates
>>> >>>>> an
>>> >>>>> enormous legacy barrier that makes it impossible to rewrite
>>> >>>>> without
>>> >>>>> abandoning all who came before. But you can only keep a kluge
>> working
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> so
>>> >>>>> long before it will crumble under its own weight. That, my
>>> >>>>> friends,
>>> is
>>> >>>>> exactly where some of the leading adaptive technology vendors find
>>> >>>>> themselves today.
>>> >>>>> There are exceptions. Serotek is an exception because we have
>>> >>>>> completely
>>> >>>>> recreated our product base every three years. GW Micro is an
>>> exception
>>> >>>>> because they built their product in a highly modular fashion and
>>> >>>>> can
>>> >>>>> update
>>> >>>>> modules without destroying the whole. KNFB is an exception because
>>> >>>>> they
>>> >>>>> take
>>> >>>>> advantage of off-the-shelf technologies, which translate
>>> >>>>> ultimately
>>> >>>>> into
>>> >>>>> price drops and increased functionality.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> But even we who have done it right are on a path to obsolescence.
>> The
>>> >>>>> fundamental need for accessibility software is rapidly beginning
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> vanish.
>>> >>>>> The universal accessibility principles we see Apple, Microsoft,
>>> >>>>> Olympus,
>>> >>>>> and
>>> >>>>> others putting in place are going to eliminate the need for these
>>> >>>>> specialty
>>> >>>>> products in a matter of just a very few years.
>>> >>>>> Stop and think. Why do you need accessibility tools? To read text?
>>> >>>>> E-book
>>> >>>>> devices are eliminating that need. None of them are perfect yet,
>>> >>>>> but
>>> >>>>> we
>>> >>>>> are
>>> >>>>> really only in the first generation. By Gen2 they will all be
>>> >>>>> fully
>>> >>>>> accessible. To find your way? GPS on your iPhone or your Android
>>> based
>>> >>>>> phone
>>> >>>>> will do that for you. To take notes? Easy on any laptop, netbook,
>>> >>>>> or
>>> >>>>> iPad.
>>> >>>>> Heck, you can record it live and play it back at your convenience.
>>> >>>>> Just
>>> >>>>> what
>>> >>>>> isn't accessible? You can play your music, catch a described
>>> >>>>> video,
>>> >>>>> scan
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> spreadsheet, take in a PowerPoint presentation - all using
>>> >>>>> conventional,
>>> >>>>> off-the-shelf systems and/or software that is free of charge.
>>> >>>>> There are still some legacy situations where you need to create an
>>> >>>>> accessibility path. Some corporations still have internal
>>> applications
>>> >>>>> that
>>> >>>>> do not lend themselves to modern devices. There will certainly be
>>> >>>>> situations
>>> >>>>> where a specialized product will better solve an accessibility
>>> problem
>>> >>>>> than
>>> >>>>> a mainstream one, especially in the short term. We don't advocate
>>> >>>>> throwing
>>> >>>>> the baby out with the bathwater, but we do advocate that we begin
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> hasten
>>> >>>>> the inevitable change by using accessible mainstream solutions
>>> >>>>> wherever
>>> >>>>> possible. Even now, the leading edge companies are reinventing
>>> >>>>> their
>>> >>>>> internal systems with accessibility as a design criteria, so the
>>> >>>>> situations
>>> >>>>> that require specialized products will certainly become fewer as
>> time
>>> >>>>> goes
>>> >>>>> on.
>>> >>>>> If our current Assistive technology guard's reign is coming to an
>>> end,
>>> >>>>> why
>>> >>>>> the war? Why not just let it die its own, natural, inevitable
>>> >>>>> death?
>>> >>>>> Because
>>> >>>>> nothing dies more slowly than an obsolete technology. Punch cards
>>> hung
>>>
>>> >>>>> on
>>> >>>>> for twenty or thirty years after they were completely obsolete.
>>> >>>>> The
>>> >>>>> same
>>> >>>>> is
>>> >>>>> true for magnetic tape. Old stuff represents a comparatively large
>>> >>>>> investment, and people hate to throw away something they paid a
>>> >>>>> lot
>>> of
>>> >>>>> money
>>> >>>>> for even if it's currently worthless. But that legacy stuff
>>> >>>>> obscures
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> capabilities of the present. It gets used in situations where
>>> >>>>> other
>>> >>>>> solutions are cheaper and more practical. The legacy stuff clogs
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> vocational rehab channel, eating up the lion's share of the
>> resources
>>> >>>>> but
>>> >>>>> serving a tiny portion of the need. It gets grandfathered into
>>> >>>>> contracts.
>>> >>>>> It
>>> >>>>> gets specified when there is no earthly reason why the application
>>> >>>>> requires
>>> >>>>> it. The legacy stuff slows down the dawning of a fully accessible
>>> >>>>> world.
>>> >>>>> It hurts you and it hurts me.
>>> >>>>> To be sure, I make my living creating and selling products that
>>> >>>>> make
>>> >>>>> our
>>> >>>>> world accessible. But first and foremost, I am a blind person. I
>>> >>>>> am
>>> >>>>> one
>>> >>>>> of
>>> >>>>> you. And every day I face the same accessibility challenges you
>> face.
>>> >>>>> I
>>> >>>>> have
>>> >>>>> dedicated my life and my company to making the world more
>>> >>>>> accessible
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> all
>>> >>>>> of us, but I can't do it alone. This is a challenge that every
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> person
>>> >>>>> needs to take up. We need to shout from the rooftops: "Enough!"
>>> >>>>> We need to commit ourselves in each and every situation to finding
>>> and
>>> >>>>> using
>>> >>>>> the most accessible off the shelf tool and/or the least-cost,
>> highest
>>> >>>>> function accessibility tool available. With our dollars and our
>>> >>>>> commitment
>>> >>>>> to making known that our needs and the needs of sighted people are
>>> 99%
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> same, we can reshape this marketplace. We can drive the dinosaurs
>>> into
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> tar pits and nurture those cute fuzzy little varmints that are
>>> >>>>> ancestors
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> the next generation. We can be part of the solution rather than
>>> >>>>> part
>>> >>>>> of
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> problem.
>>> >>>>> And all it takes is getting the best possible solution for your
>>> >>>>> specific need. Once you have found the solution to fill that need,
>>> let
>>> >>>>> the company know you appreciate their work towards better
>>> >>>>> accessibility. Let your friends (sighted and blind) know about
>>> >>>>> these
>>> >>>>> accessibility features; they probably don't know that such
>>> >>>>> features
>>> >>>>> exist. Make your needs known to the vocational rehab people you
>>> >>>>> are
>>> >>>>> working with, and don't allow them to make recommendations for a
>>> >>>>> specific technology for no other reason than that it's been in the
>>> >>>>> contract for years. Make sure your schools and your workplace
>>> >>>>> understand the need to push technology in to the accessible space.
>>> >>>>> Show them the low-cost alternatives. In this economy some, the
>>> >>>>> intelligent ones, will get it and the tide will begin to turn. And
>>> >>>>> then in short order the tsunami of good sense will wash away the
>> old,
>>> >>>>> and give us the space to build a more accessible world for all of
>> us.
>>> >>>>> Let the demand ring out loud and clear and the market will
>>> >>>>> follow.If
>>> >>>>> this message rings true to you, don't just shake your fist in
>>> >>>>> agreement and leave it at that. let your voice be heard! Arm
>> yourself
>>> >>>>> with the vision of a future where there are no social, conceptual,
>> or
>>> >>>>> economic barriers to accessibility, and let your words and your
>>> >>>>> actions demonstrate that you will not rest until that vision is
>>> >>>>> realized. Take out your wallet and let your consumer power shine!
>> You
>>> >>>>> do mater as a market people! You have kept this company alive with
>>> >>>>> your money for 8 years this month! I believe that if we all get
>>> >>>>> together and do our part, we will finally say "NO more!" same old
>>> same
>>> >>>>> old! Join the revolution! Together we can change the world!Posted
>>> >>>>> by
>>> >>>>> Mike Calvo at 2:15 PM
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> >>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> for
>>> >>>>> blindkid:
>>> >>>>>
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> >>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>> >>>> for
>>> >>>> blindkid:
>>> >>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.c
>>> om
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>>_______________________________________________
>>> >>>blindkid mailing list
>>> >>>blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> >>>blindkid:
>>> >>>
>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%
>>> 40visi.com
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> blindkid mailing list
>>> >> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> >> blindkid:
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40worldn
>>> et.att.net
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > blindkid mailing list
>>> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> > blindkid:
>>> >
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>>
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
>>> ot.org
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>>
>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/sueharper%40firstc
>> hurchgriswold.org
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
>> ot.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
> ot.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
ot.org
More information about the BlindKid
mailing list