Jim sent this to me when I think he also intended it to go to the list as
well.

Kelly


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Rebman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Kelly Pierce" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: Assistive Technology Should Empower, Not "Help," Disabled
People


Ok, there is no arguing that some valid points have been made vis a vis
appropriate assistive technologies, the actual practicality of Ryan's
glove, and the often misguided research and development that is going on
in
the AT field, but folks, let's get a grip here.  This is about a 17-year
old kid with a good head and a good heart (and I can tell you from my
several meetings with him, pity is not in his vocabulary).  I doubt that
the awards made to Ryan were for the market potential of his idea, but
rather as recognition of the creative process and hard work he did in
designing and building his glove.  If he attends our university he will
certainly be exposed to a design process that is quite different from the
ones characterized by the article and many of the people posting on this
thread -- we will do things differently here if I have anything to say
about it.

Ryan knows his glove doesn't translate ASL, and is also aware of the
other
shortcomings, but somehow the press missed those points as they usually
do.

-- Jim


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