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Subject:
From:
Peter Altschul <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Peter Altschul <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 26 May 2004 22:34:16 -0400
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I've just ordered this tutorial and Gene Asner told me it was recorded in
NLS cassette format.  There is also a floppy disk with practice exercises.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gene Asner <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: A new Internet tutorial by me
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 09:56:36 -0400
To: Billie Jean <[log in to unmask]>

Hello

It has become increasingly clear to me, over time, that a great many blind
computer users have very serious difficulty using the Internet.  this
problem is not limited to generally inexperienced computer users but is
widespread among experienced users as well.  For most blind computer
users, the problems and frustrations of using the Internet are completely
unnecessary.  I believe the cause is either poor or no instruction given
to a large number of blind people on using the Internet.

My attempt to solve or greatly reduce the problem is here.  I have
prepared a tutorial that emphasizes the basics of Internet use and teaches
almost nothing else.  I emphasize understanding web page design and
conventions and how to move quickly and efficiently around web pages.  I
also emphasize how to fill out forms quickly and efficiently by teaching a
very systematic and reliable means for doing so.  the other main topic is
how to use the Google search engine.  This tutorial is not excessively
long; it's about five-and-one-half hours.  It isn't expensive either; it
costs twenty U.S. dollars.

the tutorial is produced on cassette because I don't think blind computer
users, especially inexperienced users, should have to worry about
switching between an audio program and the program being taught, Internet
Explorer in this case.  The cassette format allows the student to
concentrate completely on the instructions being given and following them,
if the student desires, without worrying about operating another computer
program.  Also, cassettes are the format the most blind people are
comfortable using.

If the student wants to learn more, I offer a brief discussion about
resources for further learning.  It's a short discussion, but it should
give the student an easy way to find out about other resources.

I have included descriptions of commands for both JAWS and Window-eyes so
owners of either screen-reader can use the tutorial.  You don't need the
latest version of either JAWS or Window-eyes because I teach commands used
in earlier versions as well as some used in the current versions.  I also
teach methods for navigation that don't use screen-reader specific
commands.  there are times when these methods are necessary or work better
than the screen-reader commands.  If you are using browsers and/or
screen-readers other than those specifically taught in this tutorial, you
can still benefit greatly from the instruction if you know enough about
how your browser or screen-reader works with the Internet to translate
what I teach to the way your program or programs work.

If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing this tutorial or
learning more about it, contact me at my e-mail address:
[log in to unmask]
or by phone at
773-7286390.

I hope this tutorial goes some way to reduce or eliminate the needless
problems and frustrations so many blind Internet users experience.  the
Internet is a remarkable means of gaining information and blind people
should not needlessly be kept on the fringes of all the benefits it has to
offer.
Gene



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