Another part of the problem is that one accommodation doesn't work for all 
folks.  I much prefer operating my station, which now includes a Flex radio 
by the way, using a 40 cell braille display.  When I'm using the radio, I 
turn my computer's speech off.  But look at all the blind folks who either 
don't know braille, or don't use it.

And then there's the problem of market share.  I've heard the claim that 15% 
of the population has some disability.  But does that represent 15% of the 
market?  That's what businesses really need to look at.  As we all know, the 
disabled are also economically disadvantaged.  Also, when I encounter 
figures like the one I've cited, I wonder what demographics they represent. 
Is, for example, a large percentage of that 15% over 70 years old?

So in addition to having divergent accessibility needs, we have a diminished 
market share.
--
Jim, KE5AL
-----Original Message----- 
From: Eric Oyen
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2015 1:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Accessibility of APRS?

like I said elsewhere, it seems counter intuitive. However, once a =
population of a specific disability type reaches a certain number =
(critical mass), manufacturers start to get forced to pay attention.

There are exceptions (such as apple).

Still, about the only way that we are going to get paid any attention is =
if we can demonstrate numbers.

One other thing, It seems that products specifically marketed to the =
blind tend to be anywhere from 3x to 12x more expensive, even though the =
cost to make said products is the same (or less) than conventional =
products. This also needs to be changed. If accessibility were designed =
in from minute one and marketed to every one, there would be no market =
disparity that currently exists now.

Take for example the SDR radios out there. In nearly all cases, you a =
computer. THere are a lot of hams that would USE an SDR if they didn't =
have to worry about the computer. Now comes HamPod. It acts as the =
hardware interface that so many hams like. no need for a computer. that =
means WE can use it. If I had about $1200, I would get an Allicraft K3 =
or KX3 and a HamPod. At that point, I wouldn't need to use a screen =
reader machine for most operations. At least, I wouldn't be the only ham =
that the HamPod would need to be marketed to. Besides, its a blind ham =
developing the device. :)

DE n7zzt Eric

On Nov 11, 2015, at 2:15 PM, Jim Shaffer wrote:

> Eric, getting all our blind friends to become hams wouldn't do it =
either.=20
> For example, look at all the products that are not accessible, for =
example,=20
> the Keurig 2.0 coffee brewers.  Are there even any accessible new =
Sirius/XM=20
> radios?
> --
> Jim, ke5al
> -----Original Message-----=20
> From: Eric Oyen
> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 1:42 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Accessibility of APRS?
>=20
> actually, there is a way.
> method 1: use a concurrent table that contains columns for station ID, =
=3D
> LAT, LONG, DIrection of travel, Velocity, etc.
>=20
> method 2 might involve using an app like apple maps (on their iPhone) =
=3D
> which can tell the location of a pointer on the map (used in turn by =3D=

> turn navigation).
>=20
> Honestly, I think the first method is easier to achieve.
>=20
> The problem with map description is that it needs a lot of information =
=3D
> not easily presentable and also needs a large amount of bandwidth for =
=3D
> retrieval of location specifics in real time.
>=20
> I have noticed this issue about a lot of the digital mode software for =
=3D
> ham radio. almost none of it is properly accessible for the blind =3D
> (especially dm88 in HRD). getting anyone to acknowledge that we (as a =
=3D
> community of hams) even exists is starting to become a full time job =3D=

> (and sometimes even major frustration as I get the impression that =
they =3D
> don't want to hear from us).
>=20
> perhaps what we need to do is to find every blind person we can and =3D
> encourage them to become hams. The larger our population in a specific =
=3D
> population market, the more we get listened to. Its simple, direct and =
=3D
> easy to do.
>=20
> DE n7zzt Eric
>=20
> On Nov 11, 2015, at 12:05 PM, John Miller wrote:
>=20
>> I've experimented with APRS and I don't see a way, It shows actual =3D
> maps on=3D20
>> the screen with people pinpointed on them, nothing is described that =
I =3D
> can=3D20
>> tell except maybe longitude and latitude and I'm not even totally =
sure =3D
> about=3D20
>> that for sure. I don't see it being able to be accessible in it's =3D
> current=3D20
>> state and not sure there's really any way they could make it =3D
> accessible.
>> =3D20
>> -----Original Message-----=3D20
>> From: Matthew Chao
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 1:08 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Accessibility of APRS?
>> =3D20
>> Hi, Folks.  I have a Kenwood TMV710A which has APRS.  Is there any
>> way to make APRS accessible?  Thanks.--Matt, N1IBB.=3D20=20
>=20
>=20
> ---
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