<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="MS Exchange Server version 6.5.7036.0">
<TITLE>introduction</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Hello all,</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">I'm a statistics lecturer in New Zealand, where it's both mid winter and tomorrow with respect to most of you reading this message.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">I have Retinitis Pigmentosa (diagnosed at age 2) and did my undergraduate degrees (Finance first and then Operations Research) with an ability to use print under a CCTV. I did make the choice after high school to use screen reader software instead of large images on my PC because I think the obvious was coming. Anyway, I gave away all pretences to use of print during my Master's degree and then completed it and my PhD using the best of the technology of the day as well as a lot of sighted assistance (up to 10 hours per week). </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">I've used statistical software of many kinds since 1995, all with the screen readers of the day. As a teacher of stats now, I am forced to assist students who use software that is not accessible to me as well as the accessible options.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Those of you that have heard of me via other lists will know that I use R primarily and have an interest in what other options are used successfully by blind people around the world.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Nice to hear about you all.</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Jonathan</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">______________________</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A. Jonathan R. Godfrey</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Lecturer in Statistics</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Institute of Fundamental Sciences</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Massey University</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Palmerston North</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Office: Science Tower B, Room 3.15 <BR>
Phone: +64-6-356 9099 ext 7705<BR>
Mobile: +64-29-538 9814<BR>
</FONT>
</P>
</BODY>
</HTML>