Hi Lou,

Technology has been around long enough now that we blind people are more and
more expected to use it like everyone else.  The world is also getting
faster and faster.  We really do need this level of accessibility.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.


> Hi.
>
> I think you are missing the point.  It isn't how many hams do have their
> license, but how many people miss out on getting their licenses primarily
> over accessibility issues.  Why do we always defend second best just
> because that is the way it has been done in the past?
> --Lou K2LKK
>
> At 07:34 PM 1/15/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>>Darrell, while I doubt seriously that "full access" as you define it is
>>"critical" as many hams have their licenses and are blind, your point is
>>well
>>taken.  Remember that Handi-Hams is an organization which requires
>>membership
>>just as any other.  The fact that they provide books to members for a fee
>>means
>>they are not required to follow ADA or related guidelines as would be the
>>case
>>if the materials were open to all.  You have discussed Bookshare as a
>>source for
>>a scan of materials but they are also a fee based service.  I don't see
>>any
>>difference except in the product they sell.  To obtain the kind of access
>>you
>>want does require specific and often expensive equipment thus making it
>>accessible to those who can afford the appropriate gear in large
>>part.  Braille
>>or distribution through NLS would seem to be the way to go with this.
>>
>>Just as the blindness community cannot agree on many things it is likely
>>they
>>will not agree on this particular question but I very definitely agree
>>that at
>>the very least if a book is made available the complete book should be
>>available
>>from study aids to the index to title page information so that it can be
>>used as
>>a reference if appropriate etc.  Bookshare seems an iffie source for
>>accessible
>>texts available nowhere else as its use requires both that the user have
>>an
>>accessible computer and know how to use it.  It also requires that the
>>user be a
>>Bookshare member.  Such does not constitute accessibility to many people.
>>In
>>fact, most blind people do not use computers.  I do use a computer but,
>>for
>>several reasons, do not belong to Bookshare.  If we are going to talk
>>accessibility, let's talk real accessibility and talk about availability
>>via
>>NLS.  Books are available through their web site if you wish to go that
>>way.
>>
>>Tom
>>
>>
>>Tom Brennan  KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
>>web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753