[Nfbmo] Fw: [Electronics-talk] Oregon uses iPads to help disabled vote

[fred olver]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hai Nguyen Ly" <gymnastdave at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 8:44 AM
Subject: [Electronics-talk] Oregon uses iPads to help disabled vote



http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/11/08/oregon.offers.accessible.voting.through.ipad/

Oregon uses iPads to help disabled vote

updated 04:50 am EST, Tue November 8, 2011

Oregon offers accessible voting through iPad


Oregon has become the first state to use iPads to help disable voters cast 
their vote. According to Associated Press, election officials are pioneering 
the use of the iPad for voting where people who would normally find it 
difficult to cast their vote using paper. The officials have been piloting 
the use of the iPads in a primary election to replace former U.S. Rep. David 
Wu, who recently resigned following a sex scandal.

The county election officials have been taking iPads and printers to parks, 
nursing homes, community centers and wherever teams can find voters who 
could use the extra help to cast their vote.

Voters who are vision impaired can adjust the font size, contrast and screen 
colors to suit their individual needs. The iPad can also be used to read 
back the names of candidates if necessary, all with or without the help of 
officials. Once completed, they simply hit print, pop their ballot in an 
envelope and hand it in.

The system has got the vote of one local resident, Lewis Crews, 75, who 
suffers from severe arthritis.

"It's a lot simpler for me. I think it's a great setup they got," said 
Crews. He added, “…now that I’ve seen how it works I’m confident I can do it 
on my own.”

If the pilot proves successful, the program could be rolled out across 
Oregon for future general elections. Apple donated five devices for the 
initial pilot, while the state developed the software for around $75,000. To 
complete the rollout, the state would need 72 iPads at a total cost of 
$36,000 plus $50 for each printer, where needed. This compares favorably 
with the $325,000 the state expended over the past two-year budget cycle on 
accessibility programs for voting.

Under Federal law, states must provide facilities in order to offer the same 
access to voting, as well as privacy and independence. The iPad has the 
potential for states to cost-effectively meet their obligations.

By Electronista Staff


updated 05:20 am EST, Tue November 8, 2011

Mozilla well into development of Boot 2 Gecko


More details have emerged about Mozilla’s mobile OS. The Boot 2 Gecko, or 
B2G, project is now undergoing testing by Mozilla developers. The OS has 
been compared to Google’s Chrome OS, as it has a web emphasis and relies on 
HTML5-based applications. Although Android is at its core the aim is to use 
“as little Android as possible,” but take the Chrome OS-like experience to 
mobile phones. Some screen mock-ups are embedded below, as a guide as to how 
the OS may look and function.

Currently, the developers are working on a range of areas including new web 
APIs and porting, or building, apps that will work with the platform. The OS 
is built on open web standards and will run HTML5 web apps that are designed 
to work on iOS and Android alike.

Testing has been underway for several months now, with trials also being 
conducted on messaging, telephony and battery life. A product demo is 
expected in the first quarter of 2012, with a shipping product possible by 
the second quarter of 2012. [via Hot Hardware]



By Electronista Staff






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