[NFBCS] Feedback Request

[Littlefield, Tyler]

These tutorials are freely available in a lot of cases on the internet. 
Sometimes it takes looking at a couple to solve anything I need, but I 
will always look for free information rather than paying for whatever 
this service might turn out to be.


On 9/1/2022 3:41 PM, Peter via NFBCS wrote:
>   
>
> 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
>
>   
>
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