Hi to all.
Let me get this straight: Catherine Getchell (the moderator) thinks we shouldn't have "access out of the box" because a lot of the people she works with can't even use the access that is now available. Michael Pietrik believes we shouldn't have "access out of the box" because gaining access to a computer with JFW and WindowEyes is like purchasing a Cadillac. Dr. Teri Hedgpeth (my new boss--I wonder if my job is now on the line for writing this) believes we shouldn't have "access out of the box", because blind people fought long and hard for their access suppliers to gain access to the Microsoft system in the first place.
While I agree with Dr. Hedgpeth's point (as well as the point made by another about Microsoft's monopoly), the question has to be asked: Since when have our sighted counterparts had to buy modification software in order to read their computers. Why should blind people have to purchase "Cadillacs" to gain the same access (which is not completely the same, as Ray Campbell notes). Am I missing something. I always thought the goal of blind people, whether in the NFB or the ACB, was to gain equal access to information (among other things) as the sighted. How can being forced to spend extra money that the sighted don't have to pay to get that access be considered evenly remotely fair.
I rest my case. To all, take care.
Ted Chittenden
---- Catherine Getchell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I have to say I agree with Mike here. A bit of realism for everyone's day:
> Having a disability necessarily means that sometimes, we can't magically do
> things "out of the box." I'm a rehab counselor, and my caseload consists
> primarily of people with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities.
> So I'm constantly helping people buy wheelchairs, make modifications to
> their cars so they can drive them, find just that right medication that
> allows them to overcome a mental health condition sufficiently to work,
> learn to use Dragon Naturally Speaking so they can use the computer, you get
> the drift. Almost everyone I work with needs some kind of modification in
> order to function at their maximum. So we blind people are not unique in
> not having things right out of the box. I also have to point out that many
> of my coworkers across the state who are blind are frustrated with JAWS
> because they never bothered to learn it well. Granted it comes more easily
> to some than others. But with just a little study and a lot of on-the-job
> practice, I can do everything on the computer that I need to for my job and
> personal use, and my job is quite computer-intensive. So no, we can't have
> it out of the box, but there are many screen reader options, including using
> a demo of one of the high-end models if you can't afford to buy the real
> thing. It takes some time, some study, but frankly, my sighted coworkers
> are awful at using the computer, and they often wish it were easier, too.
> I'm not saying there isn't work to be done in getting companies like
> Microsoft to make their software more accessibility-friendly. I'm saying we
> have no right to whine until we've learned to use all the features our
> screen readers have to offer. Just my two cents.
> Catherine Getchell
>
> Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Pietruk" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 4:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] time for a rant, is anyone with me here?
>
>
> > Harry
> >
> > I believe you really don't understand the screen reader concept. A screen
> > reader, first of all, in the hands of a skilled user, does far more than
> > just read the screen and allow you to use programs.
> > It facilitates things; allows customization, tricks at getting at things
> > faster, more easily, more conveniently -- whatever.
> > Do you truly believe that a monopolistic company, building a screen reader
> > into its software, will achieve the complexity and creativity of jFW and
> > Window-Eyes, update things as times and environments change, do the
> > handholding that they do, and all the rest.
> > What is full access out of the box anyway?
> > You pretty much have it these days with the products on the market
> > assuming you know how to use your favorite screen reader.
> > In the hands of a neophyte user, even with a system built-in, that person
> > won't have full access until they learn how to use that screen reader.
> > You have the cadillacs with WE and JFW; an intermediate priced product in
> > the offering from Serotek, and you have free screen readers out there.
> > MSFT understands that these companies understand their customers' needs
> > and
> > openly works with them. What you are complaining about, Harry, is the
> > cost of the Cadillacs, not that you must use a 3rd party product.
> > To a large degree, you get what you pay for.
> > Have simple needs, then go with one of the free screen readers.
> > Want more bells and whistles, then you end up paying.
> > That is how life works, and MSFT isn't a charity.
> > You have greater access today than you ever had; and if you have minimal
> > needs, you can even get away using the Cadillacs as they offer timed demo
> > versions which can be restarted over and over and over.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in
> > directing
> > or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is our glory to
> > trust
> > Him, no matter what.
> > Joni Erickson Tada
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> > Archived on the World Wide Web at
> > http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
> > Signoff: [log in to unmask]
> > Subscribe: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> Archived on the World Wide Web at
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> Subscribe: [log in to unmask]
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