I really appreciate your observations and questions, Chris. I think
part of the answer, as always, is a well thought out, consistent and
persistent education campaign. And that means we need to talk to the
rest of the world, not just to each other. The need is so vast that
some of us have chosen a particular aspect or two of access as the
vehicle for making our points. I focus on accessible techonolgy and use
the analogy of "electronic curb cuts - essential for some, useful for
all." Axel concentrates on web accessibility and the accessibility of
electronic tools that libraries buy. And so on.

I've believed for quite some time in the importance of the principles
of universal design. For a brief listing, see the summary I did while I
was at ALA, http://www.ala.org/ascla/universal_design.html or go to one
of the sources, http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs/udprinciples.html
at North Carolina State University or http://trace.wisc.edu/world/ at
the University of Wisconsin.

If more people knew about those principles and strove to apply them to
their bulidings and services, we would move steadily closer to
equitable access for all. To help others learn, we need to find out
where they are, both physically and philosophically, then communicate
in ways that make it easier for them to understand. Generally, that
means plain spoken; based on their view of the world - an administrator
is going to have a different perspective than a shelver; and with vivid
pictures, pointed anecdotes, and examples that elicit a few really
visceral reactions.

We're not going to "further the cause" by being passive and
being "allowed." Choose something that makes you passionate, dive in,
and follow through. It may be messy, not neat and clean, but the prize
is worth it.

Regards,
Audrey

Audrey J. Gorman
Access for All
Naperville, IL USA
[log in to unmask]
http://www.accessall.net

> I appreciate your explication of a personal situation; I enjoyed
reading
> your story.  I do wonder what it does in relation to assist others
with
> budgetary possibilities better understand what it is to use a paper-
clip, a
> stapler, etc.  How do others understand that we all use
adaptive/assistive
> technology of some sort or other?  How can we intergrate a better
knowledge
> management of sensitive technologies that represent our needs in
research
> and personal growth?  I'm particularly interested in grants and
facilities
> within public and academic libraries which allow us to further the
cause.
>
> --Chris
>
> Chris Bloss
> Assistant Professor and
> Librarian
> University of South Dakota
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Yvonne Singer
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 3/6/2003 6:26 PM
> Subject: New Disability Site
>
> A Message From The Director
>
> I have taken a moment in my day to try to offer all of my friends who
> are challenged with a disability a word of encouragement for the
coming
> year. I will try to keep my message short. This is the story about a
guy
> whose goals and dreams were cut short by a late onset disability. His
> career as a high-level management sales representative whose promotion
> to the Baltimore Washington area as a regional manager ended in a
flash.
> The company placed him in other positions until the company went
> bankrupt. He spent several years at home while his wife became the
wage
> earner, the nurse, and the mother to their three small children. The
> years were filled with griping about the world and the way it was for
> someone in his predicament. Searching for answers or someone who could
> help with his problem and life.
>
> Two very special people helped to get him out of the rut he was in.
The
> first showed him how to get the churches attention to the need of the
> disabled. The church shortened a few of the pews so a person in a
> wheelchair could sit with his family instead of alone in the back of
the
> church. On the heels of this success his second special friend
arranged
> for him to visit local business organizations with the same goal in
> mind. It worked.
>
> This launched him on a friendly but active career to change the world
> for those of us who were challenged with a disability. Many agencies
and
> individuals joined him to change things for the disabled community. He
> wasn t the first or last to join this movement. It was exciting and
> worthwhile and eventually led to employment opportunities for him and
> some of his friends. He never thought much about his own problem as he
> was to busy climbing the mountain of change for the disabled
community.
>
> Without thinking, he noticed he was able to do things he wasn t able
to
> do for many years. For some unexplained reason his failing health
began
> to improve. He did not look for reasons why but merely left it to a
> greater power then he knew.
>
> He became the director of the Monmouth County Office on Disabilities
> where he could continue to help others, who perhaps didn t have two
> friends to help them, as he was fortunate to have. If you haven t
> guessed by now this is my story.
>
> I am proud that this office gives challenged people a chance to help
us
> and in turn help themselves. These stories and many more will be shown
> on the
> <a href="http://www.monmouthhumanservices.org/disabilities/">Monmouth
> County Office on Disabilities Web Site</a>. The web site is all about
us
> and others who you will get to know. Join us and learn about a young
> lady,
> <a href="http://home.att.net/~ysinger/">Yvonne Singer</a>, who
together
> with my friend, Mr. Luis Navarro, were able to put our web site in
> place. Please join us at our web site so we can get to know each
other.
> I wish you a most happy New Year 2003.
>
> Your friend,
>
> <A HREF="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Alex Buono</a>
>

Audrey J. Gorman
Access for All
--
CoreComm Webmail.
http://home.core.com