[BlindKid] Feedback Request

[Peter]

Good afternoon everyone,

 

                There are many resources available to sighted would-be
computer professionals that for the blind have a major drawback the lack of
the information needed to address usability and accessibility concerns for
blind children and adults. Anyone who uses computers has probably taken
advantage of a number of tutorials produce to teach the use of various
computer devices and operating systems, productivity software and
Internet-related skill development walk-through programs taught from a
blindness perspective. A number of blind individuals created outstanding
instructional tutorials many of us have used over the years. This has made
it possible for many blind persons  to learn the inns and outs of using
devices such as smartphones, and digital-audio production hardware along
with computer operating systems and applications such as Microsoft 365,
various web browsers, audio and  video production software to name a few.

 

                To the best of our knowledge few if any instructional
tutorials exist that teach would-be blind computer professionals and end
users how to write computer applications using various programming languages
such as Python, C++, R, and others, the use of integrated development
environments like Microsoft Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code, Eclipse,
and other IDES usable by a blind computer programmer.

 

                Likewise I am not aware of tutorials that instruct blind
youth and adults in the use of various Internet and Website hosting systems
like game development, Drupal, Wordpress, Joomla and other content
management systems or in the use of hosting platforms like Amazon Web
Services, Google Cloud Platform, Linode Cloud Hosting, etc. With individuals
and companies obtaining their computing power from an online environment
instead of desktop applications it is important that blind users of these
services know how to develop on these platforms, and know the tips and
tricks of handling accessibility issues and finding work-arounds from those
who have been there and done that. Such knowledge can also help blind youth
and adults plan and seek employment in STEM-related careers involving
technology. Classroom management programs like Google Classroom is another
possible subject for instructional tutorials to be created. Although an
excellent tutorial for learning Zoom was created early during the COVID 19
Pandemic and was made freely available by Jonathan Mosen no such tutorials
have been created to instruct the blind in the use of other such
videoconferencing systems like Microsoft Teams and Slack.

 

                Another area where instructional material from a blindness
perspective is next to nonexistent is in the use and management of customer
relations systems such as Amazon Connect, Salesforce, Seibel, and others.

                Some have given online classes for blind programmers and in
the use of other modern applications, but  I am not aware of any such
instructional tutorials similar to those developed in years past for devices
and desktop applications that teach these skills from a blindness
perspective that a blind individual can replay and review as often as
necessary to thoroughly understand the information shared and to look up
points that may have been missed when such classes are taught online.

                To help create a way to make such documentation and
tutorials available to blind students and tech professionals answers to the
following questions would be very much appreciated:

 

                If you wish to learn a program language or a particular
Internet or cloud service and obtain the work-arounds to allow you to do it
independently how do you obtain this instruction?

 

                What have been your experiences when receiving this
instruction online or in a facility-based program i.e. a rehabilitation
center, lighthouse, etc?

                If you answered "Yes" to the previous question what
advantages and drawbacks did you experience when learning this way?

 

What type of programming or game development language, application  Website
Hosting, Cloud platform development, content, management customer relations
System and Videoconferencing tutorials do you feel would be of most benefit?

 

                                Which media types would you prefer for using
these tutorials, audio, video, CD, DVD, downloadable files with purches,
online listening and viewing via subscription, text and Braille hardcopy and
downloadable transcripts.

 

                Would you be willing to pay for these tutorials?

 

                Would you want to buy individual tutorials or would you
subscribe to a service that would allow you to consume as many tutorials as
you wish similar to a subscription to services like SiriusXM, Amazon Prime
Video, Netflix, Disney Plus, Wondrium, ETC that charges a monthly
subscription fee?

 

                Would you be willing to produce tutorials in your area of
expertise for compensation to help us grow our library?

 

                Please understand that this is all exploratory at this time.
If developed a service of this kind will give blind would-be computer
professionals and those employed in related careers another way to learn
many subjects taught by experienced blind professionals who can share their
knowledge from a blindness perspective. Your feedback will be very much
appreciated.

 

Peter Donahue