[Electronics-talk] Where is this conversation going? (was Re: Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics Up For Now)

Tue Jun 5 22:06:07 UTC 2012

Anybody know where this conversation is headed?  This certainly is not
a technical conversation and it certainly isn't (yet) a philosophy
conversation.

It could become a philosophy conversation if we start talking about
how we can set higher expectations of ourselves.

Graduating high school isn't a luxury, it's an opportunity.  If one
had the opportunity to finish high school, and didn't make the most of
it, that's a real shame.  If someone didn't have the opportunity to
graduate high school, then maybe they'll need to figure out a way to
earn a GED or some other certification.

In any case, sitting around bemoaning how life has "given the shaft"
doesn't help anybody move ahead and certainly doesn't set high
expectations of us as blind people.

Take Care,

Jim

On Tue, Jun 05, 2012 at 04:52:59PM -0500, Jenny Keller wrote:
> Because some of us weren't given the luxury of being taught Braille in school from the get go and had to make it on what they can pull off with very little help and severe eye strain.  
> 
> I myself, barely made it through high school because of that fact and I'm not the only one.  
> 
> It wasn't my fault and it S**n sure isn't the fault of most visually impaired people who got the shaft with their education.  
> 
> I'm happy for you that you are so high and mighty that you did get a good education.  But how dare you judge those of us that didn't and taught ourselves Braille at, in my example, twenty-six years of age because I didn't have that luxury or option, despite begging and pleading with my teachers from kindergarten on.  
> 
> If you're so high and mighty and have such a great hold on the english language and want to do something besides judge others, who's situations you know nothing about, volunteer to teach braille, if it doesn't lower you to a class you're obviously not accustom to being in, or better yet, fight for the children today who should have the right and liberty to be taught braille no matter whether they can see print or not.
> 
> I'm not trying to flame anyone here, but I'm sick of people pronouncing their high and mighty judgement on the employability of blind people or reasons why we're not employed, just because we weren't afforded the education that apparently this person was so fortunate to get.
> 
> Oh and by the way, I have a medical transcription certificate from Daytona Community College and am very employable, but since you don't know my situation, I'll just tell you that I have fibromyalgia and PTSD from a childhood that made learning braille the least of my concerns, among with a host of other things that were caused by that situation.
> 
> Before you judge, you'd better remember there is a higher judge than you my friend, and you'll meet him, as we all will, in the end, and your holier than thou attitude about people you know nothing about won't get you very far.
> 
> Jennifer L. Keller
> On Jun 5, 2012, at 6:45 AM, gave Vega wrote:
> 
> > all I want to know is, why can't blind people spell? and you wonder why the unemployment rate is 70% I wouldn't hire anyone that couldn't spell.
> > gave Vega - Sent from my Macbook Air
> > Phone Voice/Text: (623) 565-9357
> > Email: theblindtech at gmail.com
> > Twitter: http://twitter.com/blindtech
> > FaceBook: http://facebook.com/blindtech
> > Website: http://thebt.net
> > 
> > On Jun 5, 2012, at 4:30 AM, Ray forget Jr wrote:
> > 
> >> Okay.  You want to throw down the gontlet like that do you mister nagativity?  Fine!  I accept your chalendge.  When the radio comes, I will do a recording on exactly what happens with the out of the box experience as a blind person.  I will also go in to a detailed description of how the unit works.  Who knows, I might even rub it in your nose a little.  You think you can do better?  Why don't you then?  Look, I'm not flaming here; at least, I sure don't mean it that way; but, the plain fact is this.  YOu never have anything good to say about anyone or anything.  YOu want completely accessible everything yesterday and threten to sue if you don't get it; and then, when somebody does come along and give it a try, you put it down.  I was planning a recording on the subject of the radio even before your chalendge to do one.
> >> 
> >> Sorry Dave; but, frankly, I've just about had it.
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Sincerely,
> >> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
> >> 
> >> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
> >> 
> >> Skype name:
> >> barefootedray
> >> 
> >> On Jun 5, 2012, at 6:18 AM, Gerald Levy wrote:
> >> 
> >>> 
> >>> I just visited the product support page for the Narrator "talking" HD clock radio and perused both the User Manual and standard Quick Start Guide.  To my great dismay, there is no mention of the speech function or any other special accessibility features in either document.  There is supposed to be a special quick start guide for visually impaired consumers, but it is not listed on the product support page.  In fact, reading both documents was enough to turn me off to this radio, because without any explanation of the blind-friendly accessibility features, this radio, which is menu driven, sounds like it would be difficult for a blind user to master.  But this is not at all surprising, given that Insignia has a reputation for designing schlocky products.  Remember the voice-command talking clock radio it sold a few years ago?  It was plagued by so many technical glitches that it was quickly discontinued and wound up being sold on Cowboom for only $8.  I got stuck with one of these lemons , which now serves as a paperweight.  So until someone does a comprehensive podcast that explains how to set up and use the Narrator radio, I will remain skeptical  and hold off on ordering one, and advise others to do  likewise.
> >>> 
> >>> Gerald
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "cheez" <cheez at cox.net>
> >>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:22 AM
> >>> Subject: [Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics Up For Now
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>>> Best Buy is going to be selling a new HD Radio--called the Narrator--starting in July. The radio, which was manufactured with the blind in mind, will be selling for $99. If you want the added two year protection plan, you will need to pay an extra $14.99.
> >>>> 
> >>>> "With The Narrator coming to market, people with visual disabilities will have a radio that they can program and tune themselves," said Dave Noble, chairman of government relations for IAAIS.
> >>>> 
> >>>> For years, blind people have had to pay a lot of money for radios with single purpose receivers that provided low audio quality.  Now, the Narrator, a table top receiver, speaks commands as soon as a blind or visually impaired person turns it on. However, this feature can be turned off so that a sighted person can use the radio silently as well. This makes the radio have universal appeal for everyone and will also help to keep the price lower.  With speech turned on, the radio will announce the artist and song, and will show and announce visual images as well. The radio is also equipped with large buttons with raised lettering.
> >>>> 
> >>>> Another great feature is that the radio comes with a PDF Quick Start Guide, along with a user manual. In addition, you can get the warranty information as a PDF document as well. All of these documents can be downloaded from the Best Buy website and have been verified to be accessible with screen readers.
> >>>> 
> >>>> The radio was created with input from the International Association of Audio Information Services, the group that represents Radio Reading Services.  The radio manufacturer chose to partner with the IAAIS to help identify and solve issues for the everyday technology needs of people with visual disabilities.
> >>>> 
> >>>> The Narrator will be promoted on air by iBiquity and its alliance member stations. It will be marketed under the Best Buy Insignia brand.
> >>>> 
> >>>> While the visually impaired community has had other radio companies create accessible products (C. Crane comes to mind), it's fantastic to see that a very large electronics company like Best Buy is taking an interest in accessible products and teaming up with organizations who can help them design the radio from the ground up.  It's also incredibly beneficial that they created a product that is equally usable for both the sighted and visually impaired--an important element in keeping the cost as low as possible.  Hopefully, others will follow the lead of companies like Best Buy and Apple and begin building accessibility into their products that can serve everyone equally.
> >>>> 
> >>>> Sources: http://radioworld.com/article/best-buy-takes-pre-orders-for-'the-narrator'-/213556
> >>>> http://www.dealerscope.com/article/best-buy-debuts-talking-hd-radio/1
> >>>> 
> >>>> 
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> >> 
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