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Reply To: | VICUG-L: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List |
Date: | Tue, 18 Nov 1997 14:22:58 -0700 |
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BLIND APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL REJECTED FOR TYPING ERRORS
Associated Press Web-posted Tuesday, November 18, 1997;
Dateline: WASHINGTON
A blind physicist who wants to advance a Braille system for
computers was rejected for a grant by the Education Department
because his typewritten application wasn't double-spaced.
"I'm blind. I couldn't tell it was single-spaced," said John
Gardner, an Oregon State University professor who is an expert
in new information technologies for the disabled.
Gardner said his assistant typed the application single-spaced
and in a font smaller than the department prefers.
Gardner complained to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who has asked
Education Secretary Richard Riley to reverse the decision. An
Education Department spokeswoman said Riley would have no
immediate comment.
Gardner invented DotsPlus, a software program for printing
tactile graphics for the visually impaired. He asked the
Education Department for $300,000 for a two-year study he says
could revolutionize access to math, science, graphs and maps.
Ann Queen, an Education Department team leader handling grants,
notified Gardner on Sept. 29 that the secretary was required to
reject "without consideration or evaluation any application that
does not meet the criteria.
"Your application was not double-spaced and a smaller than 12
point font was used. For this reason, your application is being
returned and will not be considered for further funding," she
wrote.
Gardner said some authors single-space applications in small
type to squeeze in extra information. But he said his 12-page
proposal still would have fallen below the 50-page limit even if
it was double-spaced with larger type.
He said he has received millions of dollars in grants over the
years from the Energy Department, Defense Department and
National Science Foundation.
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