Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 22:10:30 -0500
the cooperative process of resolving accessibility concerns in Pittsburgh
seems to be working for all the parties involved.  I wish more libraries
would work more closely with the local community of people with
disabilities in resolving these concerns.  It sure beats the long and
resource intensive process that is preferred here in chicago and in
Illinois to resolve such concerns at the local library and the library
for the blind.

kelly


From: Mark Senk <[log in to unmask]>

Access to library computers by the blind is advancing here in Pittsburgh.
More on the Electronic Information Network is at http://www.clpgh.org/ein/

Carnegie Library for the Blind is at
http://www.clpgh.org/CLP/LBPH/intro.html
and past minutes of the Advisory Committee may be reviewed at
http://www.clpgh.org/clp/LBPH/access.html

---- forwarded message -----

         CLP/EIN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

                MINUTES -- MARCH 4, 1998 MEETING

   The CLP/EIN Assistive Technology Advisory Committee met on March
4, 1998 at the Library Center, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Members present were:  Dan Dunfee, Doug Hunsinger, Margaret Schmitt
and Mark Senk.  EIN staff present were:  Jim Homme, Bob Vey and
Elbie Yaworsky.  CLP staff present were Pam Craychee, Tracey Morsek
and Sue Murdock.

   Sue Murdock began the meeting with a moment of silence to
remember CLP Director Robert Croneberger and his work.

   Elbie Yaworsky gave an EIN status report.  He indicated that
sixty-five 20-inch monitors have been deployed and installed at EIN
sites, including LBPH.  MAGic, the screen enlargement software
package, has been installed and is available for use at LBPH.
MAGic will also be available soon at CLP's Library Center, Mount
Lebanon Public Library and in the Humanities Department at CLP's
Main Library.

   Jaws for Windows NT is available for use in the Computer Lab at
CLP's Main Library.  Patrons may use it there by phoning Leslie
Marhefka at 622-6503.  The system is available by appointment when
CLP's Main Library is open to the public.  Jaws for Windows NT is
in the final stages of installation at the Library Center and will
soon be available for public use there.  The EIN has ordered a
third copy of Jaws for Windows NT for installation at LBPH.  So
far, no public service staff training has been provided on Jaws for
Windows NT.

   Mr. Yaworsky indicated that the EIN is seeking grant funding
(approximately $141,000) for the EIN's next phase of assistive
technology implementation.  That phase, to begin later in 1998,
includes establishment of regional installations in EIN libraries
for Jaws for Windows NT work stations, purchase of additional 20-
inch monitors, and installation of screen enlargement software at
all EIN sites.

   The Committee discussed training for patrons on the use of Jaws
for Windows NT.  Jim Homme recommended the provision of training to
some interested users, including members of the Committee.  Then he
suggested that the people trained could train other interested
users.  Mr. Yaworsky discussed the concept of "certifying" trained
users, and "certifying" sites where staff will be trained to
provide some level of patron assistance, and then refer patrons to
the certification process if they need more training.  Once the
Jaws for Windows NT training is in place, patrons can proceed from
this training to the Internet classes offered by the public
libraries.

   Under Old Business we reviewed the training issues, large
monitors for EIN sites, access to EIN library-provided Internet
training classes, and printers with large type.  Mr. Yaworsky
mentioned that existing EIN public dot matrix printers are being
replaced with laser printers which offer the capability of
producing large print.

   Dan Dunfee, who said he spoke on behalf of himself and "unnamed
others", indicated that he feels that the Committee has had no say,
and that the EIN and CLP are not responsive and have done exactly
as they had planned all along.  He said that "nobody" wanted pw
webSpeak, and that CLP pushed that on the public.  He said that the
public really wants access via lynx, and that lynx is the browser
with which most people who use speech output are most familiar.  He
said that users with disabilities prefer the "more mature"
technologies.  Mr. Dunfee asked why speech access cannot be
provided by dialup on existing or other DOS or Windows 95 work
stations at the EIN libraries.

   Mr. Dunfee mentioned that the MAGic software does not work very
well, and asked why we chose it without input from the Committee.
Mr. Yaworsky replied that the EIN's commitment is to provide screen
enlargement software, but not specifically MAGic.  He said that the
EIN welcomes Committee and general public input into the EIN's
final choice of the screen enlargement software.

   Mr. Yaworsky discussed security issues involved with dialup and
non-networked access.  He described recent serious EIN security
problems with the dialup access, and discussed recent EIN work to
improve the firewall and increase security.  Mr. Yaworsky expressed
a willingness to consider Committee recommendations on how the EIN
might effect dialup access via lynx at a few sites, without
jeopardizing system security.

   A computer running the Library Center's Jaws for Windows NT
software was present in the meeting room.  During the course of the
discussion it became clear that users of the Jaws for Windows NT
work station can telnet to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
(clpgh.org) or the Three Rivers Freenet (trfn.clpgh.org), and use
lynx on the Jaws for Windows NT work stations.  Mr. Homme said that
telnet can work on a Jaws for Windows NT work station.

   Thus patrons using the Jaws for Windows NT work station can
choose to use telnet and lynx for the non-graphical interface
access, and still be using networked work stations which do not
provide additional security risks.  Speech access users will have
the same access as any other public library users, and they can
choose to use a graphical or non-graphical mode of access.

  Mr. Homme said that lynx access via Jaws for Windows NT "should
work OK, but can be improved with a little work".  Mr. Yaworsky
authorized Mr. Homme to go ahead and further customize the Jaws
software by putting coding in place to provide a more "user
friendly" telnet capability through Jaws for Windows NT.


   Mr. Yaworsky asked Committee members to test and use the Jaws
for Windows NT work stations, and to formulate a list of
"enhancements" or recommendations, and a list of issues for
resolution.  The EIN will work with the Committee to refine Jaws
for Windows NT to make easier to use, especially with lynx.
Committee members agreed that they will provide this input.

   Both Margaret Schmitt and Mark Senk addressed the need for
better communication about the statuses of the various access
technology initiatives.  Ms. Schmitt said that it is very difficult
to determine what access technology is available and ready for
public use at which locations.  Mr. Senk said that the Committee
meetings are too far apart, and that the Committee needs more
status updates.

   Mr. Yaworsky indicated that Laura Hopper, an EIN Library Services
Manager, will provide status updates every Friday, and send them
out via e-mail to the Committee mailing list.  We also discussed
locating this information on a web page, to make it available to
the public and to allow EIN libraries to link to it as appropriate.

   As a final item we discussed the date for the next meeting.  We
plan to schedule the meeting when the remaining screen enlargement
software sites and Jaws for Windows NT sites are deployed, and
Committee members have had an opportunity to use these tools and
submit their comments as the major business of that meeting.  We
are hoping that the next meeting will occur within two months.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Murdock
Agency Head
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh