[blindkid] Looking forward
Mike Freeman
k7uij at panix.com
Mon Mar 8 01:24:22 UTC 2010
On the other hand, parents wanted realistic assessments. So some benefits
were gained.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
> Spit away my friend. I am going to drop this topic here and now as it is
> as
> David Andrews suggested not the right forum for this discussion. It is a
> place to discuss hope and opportunity for our blind youth and their
> parents.
> There is nothing hopeful about this dialogue. Peace.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York 10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 1:52 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>
> And even if we demand and there aren't enough of us, it still won't
> happen.
>
> I can tell you from the inside that even with devices that we think are
> the
> greatest, it's tough to sell twenty thousand. That's chump-change to
> mainstream industry. Let's get an economic grip here!
>
> But I realize that I'm spitting into the wind.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>
>
>> Lol, I like that story. But, advocating is a key in all things. It is
>> simple economics 101 supply and demand. If we do not demand products
>> which
>> adhere to our accessibility needs, they will not be supplied. Or in the
>> worst case scenario we will be given what others think we need. And then
>> we
>> are right where they want us, rather then us being where we want and need
>> to
>> be. each technology can be tweaked and customized as our preferences
>> desire
>> yet without working on corporations and federal offices to comply with
>> writing programs taking into consideration our accessible technologies,
>> we
>> will always have tools that do half the job. We must move to compliance
>> of
>> accessibility codings for inter and intra net if we are to be able to use
>> our technology tools to the best of their intended design.
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York 10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Susan Harper
>> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 11:46 AM
>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>
>> Hi All,
>> I think it is important that we look at all technology and ask
>> ourselves is this usable and how can we access it for ourselves and our
>> children. I have to agree that specifically targeted adaptive equipment,
>> regardless of what it is aimed at, has a significantly higher price tag
>> and
>> doesn't always deliver. Grandstanding or not, we as a community must
>> make
>> ourselves heard and be specific about what we want. Companies will not
>> know
>> what we want or need unless we ask! It is not a one size fits all.
>> Unfortunately, those who stand back and wait are going to wait a long
>> time.
>> It still holds true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep on
>> advocating! Don't worry as you can't please everyone all the time and
>> end
>> up pleasing no one.
>>
>> Story to illustrate my point: I have given the condensed version,
>> from
>> a story that was used in a second grade home school English book
>> yesterday. A man and a boy walked with their donkey to town the to sell
>> him. They met a man/woman who said, "Don't be foolish, let the boy ride
>> the
>> donkey." Next they met a man/woman who said, "Lazy boy, let the old man
>> ride the donkey and walk." Next they met a man/woman who said, "That
>> donkey
>> can carry you both." Next they met a man/woman who said, "That poor
>> donkey
>> carrying the two of you, you should be carrying him." So the man and the
>> boy carried the donkey into town, where everyone laughed at them and
>> said,
>> "Why are you carrying the donkey instead on riding him?" The man became
>> angry and said, We will do what I though best the first time. The point
>> of
>> the is, "When one tries to please everybody, he/she pleases nobody, not
>> even
>> himself/herself."
>>
>> Blessings,
>> Sue H.
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 9:14 AM, Albert J Rizzi
>> <albert at myblindspot.org>wrote:
>>
>>> I would have to disagree with you on the universality approach to
>>> accessibility I have yet to find reason to believe that by addressing a
>>> broad array of disabilities or that products being sold as accessible
>> ready
>>> would do anything but open doors of opportunity. I wish the phone
>> companies
>>> of this country would understand how important speech to text and
>>> accessible
>>> phones are to the blind and disabled. While I do not like band standing
>>> on
>>> products, which does happen from time to time on these threads, I do
>>> feel
>>> that we as a community need to take a long hard look at why technologies
>>> are
>>> not following the same compliance regulations as purportedly required
>>> by
>>> law. Even the federal government and local municipalities and schools
>> turn
>>> a blind eye to the disability communities technological needs. At least
>>> there are players out there making strides to adhere to section 507 and
>>> section 504 guidelines of the rehab act or the ADA.
>>>
>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> CEO/Founder
>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> New York, New York 10004
>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>>> is
>>> doing it."
>>>
>>>
>>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 10:14 PM
>>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>>
>>> I agree. And Steve is right; there was far more than a great deal of
>> hidden
>>> marketing in Calvo's diatribe. And this is what bugs me about his
>>> doings;
>>> he
>>>
>>> tends to try to push his products while appearing to be a knight in
>> shining
>>> armor. I'd much rather have a straightforward sales pitch.
>>>
>>> Although I applaud Apple's efforts toward accessibility, I think we, the
>>> blind, should think long and hard before we espouse so-called "universal
>>> design" willy-nilly. Why? Because it is almost inevitable that products
>>> designed for a range of disabilities will not serve any one of them
>>> optimally. So we'll end up in a world of accessibility mediocrity.
>>>
>>> AS I say, Steve's post has much to recommend it.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Deborah Kent Stein" <dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 5:33 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > As a dedicated Braille reader I am wary of the idea of eliminating
>>> > companies that design technology exclusively for the blindness market.
>> I
>>> > highly doubt that mainstream companies will ever come forth with
>>> > devices
>>> > that include Braille displays. Refreshable Braille has expanded
>>> > Braille
>>> > access beyond my wildest dreams, and I worry that a shift to purely
>>> > mainstream products could turn out to be a giant step into speech
>>> > access
>>> > only.
>>> >
>>> > Debbie
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
>>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> > Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 4:45 PM
>>> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> Sally,
>>> >>
>>> >> I have hesitated to say anything because I feel that Serotek has very
>>> >> nice products but somewhat questionable marketing techniques. The
>>> >> fact
>>> >> is that to talk you
>>> >> away from JFW, HAL, or Window-Eyes right now is really talking you
>>> >> into
>>> >> his products in my opinion. He over-simplifies the situation with
>>> >> braille displays, too. He is
>>> >> using our frustrations and civil rights to direct frustration against
>>> his
>>>
>>> >> biggest compettitors without letting you know that he is doing that.
>>> >> This is also coming out just
>>> >> before the large CSUN conference which I feel makes the timing
>>> >> interesting. Let me be clear, he makes some good points, and his
>>> >> products tend to be good
>>> >> values, but this hit me wrong, too. There are some reasons that many
>> of
>>> >> us have felt that we have been better served to have some competition
>> in
>>> >> the screen
>>> >> reader arena even though it cost us more, rather than to push
>> Microsoft
>>> >> to create a screen reader, and I'd be glad to explain that sometime
>>> >> if
>>> >> you are interested.
>>> >> The picture is complicated.
>>> >>
>>> >> We should push to raise awareness of accessibility within mainstream
>>> >> software, and we need to watch how it works to do what Apple is
>>> >> doing.
>>> >> The writer is correct
>>> >> that things will be changing over time, but I think there was a good
>>> deal
>>>
>>> >> of hidden marketing here.
>>> >>
>>> >> Best regards,
>>> >>
>>> >> Steve Jacobson
>>> >>
>>> >> On Thu, 4 Mar 2010 08:31:24 -0600, Sally Thomas wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>>Do you think he's self serving? It seems to me that supporting
>>> >>>technology
>>> >>>that is accessible right out of the box is a good thing. I bought my
>>> son
>>>
>>> >>>a
>>> >>>Victor Reader and it languishes beside his iPod Touch which is used
>>> every
>>> >>>day. The Touch is smaller and more useful to him but both
>>> >>>technologies
>>> >>>cost
>>> >>>me about the same. I also thought that the NFB Technology Bill of
>>> Rights
>>> >>>was along these lines--equipment accessible right out of the box.
>>> >>
>>> >>>I would believe that his motives aren't pure since he is a
>>> >>>businessman
>>> >>>but I
>>> >>>am a bit tired of buying very expensive equipment only to find out a
>>> >>>couple
>>> >>>of months later that it is obsolete.
>>> >>
>>> >>>Sally Thomas
>>> >>>----- Original Message -----
>>> >>>From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>>> >>>To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> >>><blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> >>>Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 11:01 PM
>>> >>>Subject: Re: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>>> Pure demagoguery.
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> Mike
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> >>>> From: "Sally Thomas" <seacknit at gmail.com>
>>> >>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> >>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> >>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 9:16 AM
>>> >>>> Subject: [blindkid] Looking forward
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>>I received the following email from the TABS list. I hope this
>>> >>>>>isn't
>>> >>>>>redundant for you. I'm really excited by Serotek's plan.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> Subject: [leadership] Serotek declares war on the traditional
>>> adaptive
>>> >>>>> technology industry and their blind ghetto products
>>> >>>>> This is no warm fuzzy of a read, but something well worth the read
>>> and
>>> >>>>> in my opinion long over due. Kudos to SeroTekCited from
>>> >>>>> http://blog.serotek.com/
>>> >>>>> The Serotek Ultimatum
>>> >>>>> Serotek declares war on the traditional adaptive technology
>>> >>>>> industry
>>> >>>>> and their blind ghetto products. With this announcement we are
>>> >>>>> sending out a
>>> >>>>> call to arms to every blind person and every advocate for the
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> to
>>> >>>>> rise
>>> >>>>> up and throw off the tyranny that has shaped our lives for the
>>> >>>>> past
>>> >>>>> two
>>> >>>>> decades. It is a tyranny of good intentions - or at least what
>>> >>>>> began
>>> >>>>> as
>>> >>>>> good
>>> >>>>> intentions. But as the proverb says, "the road to hell is paved
>>> >>>>> with
>>> >>>>> good
>>> >>>>> intentions." And for the past two decades the technologies
>> originally
>>> >>>>> conceived to give us freedom have been our shackles. They have
>>> >>>>> kept
>>> us
>>> >>>>> tied
>>> >>>>> down to underperforming, obscenely expensive approaches that only
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> small
>>> >>>>> percentage of blind people can afford or master. They have
>>> >>>>> shackled
>>> us
>>>
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> government largess and the charity of strangers to pay for what
>>> >>>>> few
>>> >>>>> among
>>> >>>>> us
>>> >>>>> could afford on our own. And we have been sheep, lead down the
>>> >>>>> path,
>>> >>>>> bleating from time to time, but without the vision or the
>>> >>>>> resources
>>> to
>>> >>>>> stand
>>> >>>>> up and demand our due.
>>> >>>>> That time is past.
>>> >>>>> We stand today on the very edge of universal accessibility.
>>> Mainstream
>>> >>>>> products like the iPod, iPhone, and newly announced iPad are fully
>>> >>>>> accessible out of the box. And they bring with them a wealth of
>>> highly
>>> >>>>> desirable accessibility applications. The cost to blind people is
>>> >>>>> exactly
>>> >>>>> the same as the cost to sighted people. It's the same equipment,
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> same
>>> >>>>> software, the same functionality, and fully accessible.
>>> >>>>> What Apple has done, others are doing as well. The adaptive
>>> technology
>>> >>>>> vendor who creates hardware and software that is intended only for
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> folks, and then only if they are subsidized by the government, is
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> dinosaur. The asteroid has hit the earth, the dust cloud is
>>> >>>>> ubiquitous,
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> dinosaur's days are numbered.
>>> >>>>> But dinosaurs are huge, and their extinction does not happen
>>> >>>>> overnight..
>>> >>>>> Even as they die, they spawn others like them (take the Intel
>>> >>>>> Reader
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> example). Thank you, no. Any blind person can have full
>> accessibility
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> any
>>> >>>>> type of information without the high-cost, blind-ghetto gear. They
>>> can
>>> >>>>> get
>>> >>>>> it in the same products their sighted friends are buying. But
>>> >>>>> let's
>>> >>>>> face
>>> >>>>> it;
>>> >>>>> if we keep buying that crap and keep besieging our visual resource
>>> >>>>> center
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> buy that crap for us, the dinosaurs of the industry are going to
>> keep
>>> >>>>> making
>>> >>>>> it. Their profit margins are very good indeed. And many have
>> invested
>>> >>>>> exactly none of that profit in creating the next generation of
>> access
>>> >>>>> technology, choosing instead to perpetuate the status quo. For
>>> >>>>> instance,
>>> >>>>> refreshable braille technology, arguably the most expensive
>>> >>>>> blindness-specific(and to many very necessary) product has not
>>> changed
>>> >>>>> significantly in 30 years. Yet, the cost remains out of reach for
>>> most
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> people. Where's the innovation there? Why have companies not
>> invested
>>> >>>>> in
>>> >>>>> cheaper, faster, smaller, and more efficient ways to make
>> refreshable
>>> >>>>> braille? Surely the piezoelectric braille cell is not the only
>>> >>>>> way?
>>> >>>>> And
>>> >>>>> what
>>> >>>>> about PC-based OCR software? It's still around a thousand dollars
>> per
>>> >>>>> license, yet core functionality hasn't changed much; sure, we get
>> all
>>> >>>>> sorts
>>> >>>>> of features not at all related to reading, along with incremental
>>> >>>>> accuracy
>>> >>>>> improvements, but why are these prices not dropping either,
>>> especially
>>> >>>>> when
>>> >>>>> you consider that comparable off-the-shelf solutions like Abby
>>> >>>>> Finereader
>>> >>>>> can be had for as low as $79? ? And let's not forget the screen
>>> reader
>>> >>>>> itself, the core technology that all of us need to access our
>>> >>>>> computers
>>> >>>>> in
>>> >>>>> the first place. Do we see improvements, or just an attempt to
>>> >>>>> mimic
>>> >>>>> innovation with the addition of features which have nothing to do
>>> with
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> actual reading of the screen, while maintaining the same
>>> >>>>> ridiculous
>>> >>>>> price
>>> >>>>> point.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> This maintaining of the status quo will, inevitably, face an
>> enormous
>>> >>>>> crash,
>>> >>>>> worse than the transition from DOS to Windows based accessibility.
>>> You
>>> >>>>> can
>>> >>>>> expect a technology crash that will put users of the most
>>> >>>>> expensive
>>> >>>>> accessibility gear out of business.
>>> >>>>> Why? I won't bore you with all the technical details, but the
>>> >>>>> basic
>>> >>>>> story
>>> >>>>> is
>>> >>>>> that some of these products have been kept current with patches
>>> >>>>> and
>>> >>>>> fixes
>>> >>>>> and partial rewrites and other tricks we IT types use when we
>> haven't
>>> >>>>> got
>>> >>>>> the budget to do it right, but we need to make the product work
>>> >>>>> with
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> latest operating system. That process of patching and fixing
>>> >>>>> creates
>>> >>>>> an
>>> >>>>> enormous legacy barrier that makes it impossible to rewrite
>>> >>>>> without
>>> >>>>> abandoning all who came before. But you can only keep a kluge
>> working
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> so
>>> >>>>> long before it will crumble under its own weight. That, my
>>> >>>>> friends,
>>> is
>>> >>>>> exactly where some of the leading adaptive technology vendors find
>>> >>>>> themselves today.
>>> >>>>> There are exceptions. Serotek is an exception because we have
>>> >>>>> completely
>>> >>>>> recreated our product base every three years. GW Micro is an
>>> exception
>>> >>>>> because they built their product in a highly modular fashion and
>>> >>>>> can
>>> >>>>> update
>>> >>>>> modules without destroying the whole. KNFB is an exception because
>>> >>>>> they
>>> >>>>> take
>>> >>>>> advantage of off-the-shelf technologies, which translate
>>> >>>>> ultimately
>>> >>>>> into
>>> >>>>> price drops and increased functionality.
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> But even we who have done it right are on a path to obsolescence.
>> The
>>> >>>>> fundamental need for accessibility software is rapidly beginning
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> vanish.
>>> >>>>> The universal accessibility principles we see Apple, Microsoft,
>>> >>>>> Olympus,
>>> >>>>> and
>>> >>>>> others putting in place are going to eliminate the need for these
>>> >>>>> specialty
>>> >>>>> products in a matter of just a very few years.
>>> >>>>> Stop and think. Why do you need accessibility tools? To read text?
>>> >>>>> E-book
>>> >>>>> devices are eliminating that need. None of them are perfect yet,
>>> >>>>> but
>>> >>>>> we
>>> >>>>> are
>>> >>>>> really only in the first generation. By Gen2 they will all be
>>> >>>>> fully
>>> >>>>> accessible. To find your way? GPS on your iPhone or your Android
>>> based
>>> >>>>> phone
>>> >>>>> will do that for you. To take notes? Easy on any laptop, netbook,
>>> >>>>> or
>>> >>>>> iPad.
>>> >>>>> Heck, you can record it live and play it back at your convenience.
>>> >>>>> Just
>>> >>>>> what
>>> >>>>> isn't accessible? You can play your music, catch a described
>>> >>>>> video,
>>> >>>>> scan
>>> >>>>> a
>>> >>>>> spreadsheet, take in a PowerPoint presentation - all using
>>> >>>>> conventional,
>>> >>>>> off-the-shelf systems and/or software that is free of charge.
>>> >>>>> There are still some legacy situations where you need to create an
>>> >>>>> accessibility path. Some corporations still have internal
>>> applications
>>> >>>>> that
>>> >>>>> do not lend themselves to modern devices. There will certainly be
>>> >>>>> situations
>>> >>>>> where a specialized product will better solve an accessibility
>>> problem
>>> >>>>> than
>>> >>>>> a mainstream one, especially in the short term. We don't advocate
>>> >>>>> throwing
>>> >>>>> the baby out with the bathwater, but we do advocate that we begin
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> hasten
>>> >>>>> the inevitable change by using accessible mainstream solutions
>>> >>>>> wherever
>>> >>>>> possible. Even now, the leading edge companies are reinventing
>>> >>>>> their
>>> >>>>> internal systems with accessibility as a design criteria, so the
>>> >>>>> situations
>>> >>>>> that require specialized products will certainly become fewer as
>> time
>>> >>>>> goes
>>> >>>>> on.
>>> >>>>> If our current Assistive technology guard's reign is coming to an
>>> end,
>>> >>>>> why
>>> >>>>> the war? Why not just let it die its own, natural, inevitable
>>> >>>>> death?
>>> >>>>> Because
>>> >>>>> nothing dies more slowly than an obsolete technology. Punch cards
>>> hung
>>>
>>> >>>>> on
>>> >>>>> for twenty or thirty years after they were completely obsolete.
>>> >>>>> The
>>> >>>>> same
>>> >>>>> is
>>> >>>>> true for magnetic tape. Old stuff represents a comparatively large
>>> >>>>> investment, and people hate to throw away something they paid a
>>> >>>>> lot
>>> of
>>> >>>>> money
>>> >>>>> for even if it's currently worthless. But that legacy stuff
>>> >>>>> obscures
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> capabilities of the present. It gets used in situations where
>>> >>>>> other
>>> >>>>> solutions are cheaper and more practical. The legacy stuff clogs
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> vocational rehab channel, eating up the lion's share of the
>> resources
>>> >>>>> but
>>> >>>>> serving a tiny portion of the need. It gets grandfathered into
>>> >>>>> contracts.
>>> >>>>> It
>>> >>>>> gets specified when there is no earthly reason why the application
>>> >>>>> requires
>>> >>>>> it. The legacy stuff slows down the dawning of a fully accessible
>>> >>>>> world.
>>> >>>>> It hurts you and it hurts me.
>>> >>>>> To be sure, I make my living creating and selling products that
>>> >>>>> make
>>> >>>>> our
>>> >>>>> world accessible. But first and foremost, I am a blind person. I
>>> >>>>> am
>>> >>>>> one
>>> >>>>> of
>>> >>>>> you. And every day I face the same accessibility challenges you
>> face.
>>> >>>>> I
>>> >>>>> have
>>> >>>>> dedicated my life and my company to making the world more
>>> >>>>> accessible
>>> >>>>> for
>>> >>>>> all
>>> >>>>> of us, but I can't do it alone. This is a challenge that every
>>> >>>>> blind
>>> >>>>> person
>>> >>>>> needs to take up. We need to shout from the rooftops: "Enough!"
>>> >>>>> We need to commit ourselves in each and every situation to finding
>>> and
>>> >>>>> using
>>> >>>>> the most accessible off the shelf tool and/or the least-cost,
>> highest
>>> >>>>> function accessibility tool available. With our dollars and our
>>> >>>>> commitment
>>> >>>>> to making known that our needs and the needs of sighted people are
>>> 99%
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> same, we can reshape this marketplace. We can drive the dinosaurs
>>> into
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> tar pits and nurture those cute fuzzy little varmints that are
>>> >>>>> ancestors
>>> >>>>> to
>>> >>>>> the next generation. We can be part of the solution rather than
>>> >>>>> part
>>> >>>>> of
>>> >>>>> the
>>> >>>>> problem.
>>> >>>>> And all it takes is getting the best possible solution for your
>>> >>>>> specific need. Once you have found the solution to fill that need,
>>> let
>>> >>>>> the company know you appreciate their work towards better
>>> >>>>> accessibility. Let your friends (sighted and blind) know about
>>> >>>>> these
>>> >>>>> accessibility features; they probably don't know that such
>>> >>>>> features
>>> >>>>> exist. Make your needs known to the vocational rehab people you
>>> >>>>> are
>>> >>>>> working with, and don't allow them to make recommendations for a
>>> >>>>> specific technology for no other reason than that it's been in the
>>> >>>>> contract for years. Make sure your schools and your workplace
>>> >>>>> understand the need to push technology in to the accessible space.
>>> >>>>> Show them the low-cost alternatives. In this economy some, the
>>> >>>>> intelligent ones, will get it and the tide will begin to turn. And
>>> >>>>> then in short order the tsunami of good sense will wash away the
>> old,
>>> >>>>> and give us the space to build a more accessible world for all of
>> us.
>>> >>>>> Let the demand ring out loud and clear and the market will
>>> >>>>> follow.If
>>> >>>>> this message rings true to you, don't just shake your fist in
>>> >>>>> agreement and leave it at that. let your voice be heard! Arm
>> yourself
>>> >>>>> with the vision of a future where there are no social, conceptual,
>> or
>>> >>>>> economic barriers to accessibility, and let your words and your
>>> >>>>> actions demonstrate that you will not rest until that vision is
>>> >>>>> realized. Take out your wallet and let your consumer power shine!
>> You
>>> >>>>> do mater as a market people! You have kept this company alive with
>>> >>>>> your money for 8 years this month! I believe that if we all get
>>> >>>>> together and do our part, we will finally say "NO more!" same old
>>> same
>>> >>>>> old! Join the revolution! Together we can change the world!Posted
>>> >>>>> by
>>> >>>>> Mike Calvo at 2:15 PM
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>>
>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> >>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> for
>>> >>>>> blindkid:
>>> >>>>>
>>>
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> >>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>> >>>> for
>>> >>>> blindkid:
>>> >>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.c
>>> om
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>>_______________________________________________
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>>> >>>blindkid at nfbnet.org
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>>> >>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> >>>blindkid:
>>> >>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%
>>> 40visi.com
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> blindkid mailing list
>>> >> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> >> blindkid:
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40worldn
>>> et.att.net
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