so if you don't bother with a doctor, you can't join.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darrell Shandrow" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:03 PM
Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.
> Hi Tom,
>
> I absolutely love Bookshare and feel that, if you do have a computer or
> even
> a device such as a BrailleNote or a PAC Mate, then you're absolutely crazy
> not to join! Bookshare's disability verification process is extremely
> accessible, and I am essentially demanding that all organizations
> requiring
> disability certification implement a similar process. First, Bookshare
> will
> accept NLS membership as disability verification with no further action
> needed. Second, Bookshare will e-mail the disability verification form to
> the doctor. Third, they will accept a properly signed FAX back from that
> doctor. All of this can serve to leave the blind person out of the
> inaccessible parts of this process.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 6:34 PM
> Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.
>
>
>> Darrell, while I doubt seriously that "full access" as you define it is
>> "critical" as many hams have their licenses and are blind, your point is
>> well
>> taken. Remember that Handi-Hams is an organization which requires
>> membership
>> just as any other. The fact that they provide books to members for a fee
>> means
>> they are not required to follow ADA or related guidelines as would be the
>> case
>> if the materials were open to all. You have discussed Bookshare as a
>> source for
>> a scan of materials but they are also a fee based service. I don't see
>> any
>> difference except in the product they sell. To obtain the kind of access
>> you
>> want does require specific and often expensive equipment thus making it
>> accessible to those who can afford the appropriate gear in large part.
>> Braille
>> or distribution through NLS would seem to be the way to go with this.
>>
>> Just as the blindness community cannot agree on many things it is likely
>> they
>> will not agree on this particular question but I very definitely agree
>> that at
>> the very least if a book is made available the complete book should be
>> available
>> from study aids to the index to title page information so that it can be
>> used as
>> a reference if appropriate etc. Bookshare seems an iffie source for
>> accessible
>> texts available nowhere else as its use requires both that the user have
>> an
>> accessible computer and know how to use it. It also requires that the
>> user be a
>> Bookshare member. Such does not constitute accessibility to many people.
>> In
>> fact, most blind people do not use computers. I do use a computer but,
>> for
>> several reasons, do not belong to Bookshare. If we are going to talk
>> accessibility, let's talk real accessibility and talk about availability
>> via
>> NLS. Books are available through their web site if you wish to go that
>> way.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>> Tom Brennan KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
>> web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>
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