I've seen this one on another list, Reeva, and I think it's
priceless! If only those who are plotting to withhold advanced technology
from us
could read this, and have the sense to get the
point!
April's Dave in Ohio
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:23 PM
Subject: Imagine!
This is rather lengthy, and done sort of tongue and
cheek, but trying to make a point! So, stick with me!
- Imagine: You've just entered your office on what may well be
the most hectic, stressful day of your life. Suddenly you realize all of your
reference books, piles of paper-work and notes are covered with little bumps.
In fact, you discover there is not one single printed word to be found. Every
scrap of information necessary to do your job is now in Braille.
- Imagine: You rush back out of your office, wildly looking about, peering
into offices, staring over the shoulders of clerks. Everybody is calmly doing
their job, using Braille. Mysteriously they have learned the language
overnight. Only you, it seems, were overlooked. For some unknown reason, you
are permanently and totally Braille challenged.
- Imagine: You dash for the door hoping the rest of the world has not gone
mad. It has. In the elevator, you're not sure which button to press for the
lobby. Someone has to help you. They stare at you as if you are stupid.
Pausing at the news stand, you are unable to tell one magazine from another.
You can't stand it, you need to go home and collect your thoughts. But at the
bus stop, there's no way of telling which coach is yours. You back away, not
wanting anyone to know, and you decide you'll call a cab. Of course, you only
brought bus fare and lunch money, not nearly enough for the taxi. Remembering
your bank card, you pull it out as you run back into the lobby. There, at the
access machine, you stop short. The card has turned to Braille, and so have
all of the instructions on the machine. You'll have to call home and ask for
help. Funny, you never paid much attention to the telephone dial and now, in
your growing state of confusion, you don't recall which number goes where. You
are so alone, so frightened, you actually begin to weep.
- Imagine: You have always seen yourself as a leader, a visionary, a
problem-solver. You will not run from this challenge. You shall succeed. You
have a large mortgage. Once you have recovered from the great shock, you begin
looking for ways to survive.
- Imagine: You have finally made arrangements, through your employer, to
hire a Braille reader, a process so complex and painful you plan to patent it
and use it to torture Terrorists. Now you sit in your chair going quietly mad
listening to the drone of your reader's voice, taking hours of time to cover
what you once scanned in minutes, while others whip about you efficiently
communicating among themselves via Braille-FAX and E-B-mail. You begin to feel
the "ice" in isolation.
- Imagine: You learn you are not alone. You are a member of a very small
minority of Braille-Challenged people. There is, in fact, a Brailleless
Culture; a history far too long and complex to discuss here. So, you become a
member of the, Brailleless Association of America. (BAA) At the BAA meetings
you find out about a number of small companies manufacturing adaptive
equipment which enables Brailleless persons to access all of the Braille
computers, FAX machines, Braille scanners and Braillers.
- The expense is far more than you can afford, so you seek assistance from
your employer. Your request is turned down. There are no requirements that
your employer accommodate your disability.
- Imagine: BAA, along with many other disability groups, battle in Congress
for the passage of a Bill, guaranteeing you equal treatment under the Law. The
bill passes and, despite subtle messages from your fiscal officer, money is
"found" for your accommodation. After considerable time and effort, the
technician from the Department of Services for the Brailleless has you
on-line. Now you are able to scan Braille text and convert the little dots
into letters, and through a very complex process, the Braille display on your
computer is transformed into print. Finally, you are again up to speed, being
your old efficient self, feeling good about your work.
- Imagine: You're humming and smiling and cranking along in high gear.
Suddenly, a message flashes on your screen and drives terror through your
heart. New breakthroughs in technology have produced equipment so superior to
the ancient junk--at least four years old-- presently in use, that your
organization is upgrading the entire communications system.
- The BAA, technicians have already informed you that your adaptive
equipment is not compatible with it. You go to the "Powers-That-Be" in your
organization, and request a meeting to discuss this concern. You are told that
your fears are groundless. You will not be forgotten. Following this meeting,
a rumor goes around hinting that you are trying to sabotage the new system,
and your associates begin to whisper behind your back. They want the new
system. It's far superior, more compact, ten times faster, and it's cool
looking. They are sick of your "whining and constant complaining". You feel
the "ice" settling in again.
- Imagine: You have been forgotten. The new system is in place. Everybody
loves it. You've been told not to worry, someone will be around to do what is
necessary to put you back on-line. The "someone" they had in mind is the same
technician who told you the system would not work. Despite your concerns, no
one bothered to investigate before the equipment was installed. Once again,
you sit, going quietly mad while your reader plows line by line through the
piles of Braille.
- Imagine: You know you are close to losing your mind or your job--probably
both. You must find other employment, but you do not want your associates to
know you are finally beaten. You try to figure out a way to do a quiet job
search when all information is only accessible in Braille.
- One day you hear that your State has developed a central information
center, called a, "kiosk". These information centers are being set up in
easily accessible locations. The plan is for these kiosks to make government
information and services available quickly and conveniently to the public.
Sort of a "one stop shopping center". You learn that lists of job openings are
among the many services offered. This is perfect. This is exactly what you
need. you discover your town recently placed a kiosk in the Mall. You go there
on Saturday afternoon. There it stands, costing the taxpayers hundreds of
thousands of dollars to create, but well worth it. In its ultimate form, the
kiosks will bring virtually all State services right into your local
neighborhood. You are thrilled as you step up to the controls. An automated
voice welcomes you and brags about the wonders of this system. Breathlessly,
you wait for your instructions ... Then, the Braille display appears.
- Imagine: They are dragging you away, shrieking at the top of your voice.
Onlookers are amazed. They do not know how you managed to rip the iron bench
from the floor of the Mall. None of them dared to try to stop you as you swung
it over your head, again and again, smashing the kiosk into pieces of broken
plastic, glass and twisted metal. None of them understand why you kept
screaming the same words over and over.
- "I pay taxes, too! I pay taxes, too! I pay taxes, too!......."