Hi Tom,

Any organization dealing with those of us with disabilities has an absolute
mandate to be accessible to us, certainly much more accessible (paperwork,
etc.) than does a private business outside the field of disabilities...
Handiham is not a medical or rehabilitation provider but a ham radio
club/organization.  They should be using a model such as that used by
Benetech for the disability verification process for Bookshare membership.
That model verifies disability good enough for the publishing industry, so
it is also good enough for anything that needs to be done by Handiham.
There's not too much questioning involved with joining Bookshare and
verifying your disability, and the process is quite accessible.

You'll get no complaints from me on anything like dues or anything else
Handiham has done to date, but the possibility of accessibility implications
is a definite show stopper.



----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 5:46 PM
Subject: Re: new Handiham paperwork


>     Very well said, Anthony and Pat!
>
> I have trouble understanding why folks have to focus on the negative all
the
> time.
>
> All of us have had obstacles to deal with, and things we don't like, and I
> think that is called "life"!
>
> I don't think anyone minds the questioning, as long as it is done in a way
> to get information, not in a way to bash someone or something.
>
> Handihams is a great organization, and I truly believe their membership
> dues, which are very modest, are the best $10 a year that I spend for an
> organization's service.
>
> Just my oppinion.
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
> Best 73 from tom Behler: kB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anthony Vece" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 12:11 PM
> Subject: Re: new Handiham paperwork
>
>
> > Hi Pat;
> >
> > You don't need to tell us where money does or does not come from in
regard
> > to HANDIHAMS.
> >
> > The organization does a magnificent job not only for people who are
blind
> > but for other disability issues as well.
> >
> > Keep up the good work.
> >
> > 73 De Anthony W2AJV
> > [log in to unmask]
> > ECHOLINK NODE NUMBER: 74389
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Handiham" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:40 AM
> > Subject: Re: new Handiham paperwork
> >
> >
> > > Handihams does not get government money. Like other entities, we do
have
> > to
> > > comply with government regulations, however.  We depend on donations,
> > member
> > > fees, and the United Way for support.
> > >
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Patrick Tice
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Blind-Hams For blind ham radio operators
> > > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Harvey Heagy
> > > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 2:30 AM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: new Handiham paperwork
> > >
> > > While I have no intention of starting a political discussion as to
which
> > > organization is the best one for the blind as there are members of
both
> on
> > > this list, Handiham would do well to learn from the lesson of N.F.B.
> The
> > > N.F.B. also became totally obsessed with government money.  Now it is
> > > totally ineffective as an advocate.  It is now accepting money from
the
> > very
> > > agencies it will sooner or later have to confront in its advocacy role
> > > assuming there is any left.  So at best its integrity as an advocate
for
> > the
> > > blind is severely compromised.  And at worst, and the way I see it
most
> > > likely, it has chosen to totally trash its posture as a consumer
> advocate
> > > because it has wanted to get out of the advocacy business for years
> opting
> > > instead for government money which largely built its needless new
> > building.
> > > Harvey
> > >