Have you thought of writing Bill Gates a letter expressing your concerns, with a
copy to whomever directs the Foundation?  They probably just didn't think about
it (disability) when providing funding criteria.  - Jackie McCraw





List Subscribers:

It is not my intent to fuel rumors or wild speculation by bringing this
issue to the list.  I have made an honest effort to discover answers before
sharing my views.  Nor is it my intent to have a Bill Gates or Microsoft
bashing session.  I am wondering if anyone is involved with this project
and can provide a different view of events than that which I've been able
to determine.  If my investigation is accurate than it is my hope that
interested people can work to change the current state of affairs.

Bill Gates recently started a foundation to get technology and internet
connections, among other things, to the most financially strapped libraries
in the U.S. and Canada.  According to press reports the foundation will give
away some 200 million over the next five years.  The first round of funding
is currently taking place.

A couple weeks ago I asked a variety of resources about access technology
as it related to this foundation and the grants it was making.  Aside from
discovering that the foundation's web site wasn't very accessible to those
who use screen readers, I discovered little in answer to my initial questions.

Below is what I learned and shared after a discussion with a foundation
representative yesterday.  As I said, if my information is inaccurate and
if someone knows differently I'd love to be corrected.

Kelly




>>Subject: Gates Library Foundation: What a Disappointing Response


>>Hi All,
>>
>>A couple weeks ago I asked subscribers to this list about access
technology as it related to donations of computer equipment being made by
the Gates Library Foundation.  At the risk of being accused of talking to
myself <chuckle> I'll answer my own question and say that it is my
impression that accessibility is being given little if any consideration in
the grants being made.  Before I continue I'll again say that if anyone has
better information than what I've discovered please let me know.
>>
>>I had a lengthy conversation with a Cathy Young from the foundation
earlier today.  She told me she was the office manager and that everyone
else was out of the office travelling.  She seemed very knowledgeable about
the foundation's operation and goals.
>>
>>The theme that was repeated to me over and over was that it was the goal
of the foundation to get hardware, software  and internet connections to
libraries who couldn't afford the technology themselves.  When I asked
about including access technology such as screen readers as part of the
equipment being donated I was told that it was being left up to the
individual libraries to purchase that equipment on their own outside of
grant funding.  I further asked if a plan for making the equipment
accessible was part of the criteria for receiving a grant and was told no.
When I asked if the foundation's attitude was akin to offering to construct
a building for someone who couldn't afford to do it themselves but telling
them it was their responsibility to pay for wheelchair ramps, braille signs
and such I was told that my analogy was incorrect.  I asked for a more
appropriate comparison and was offered none.
>>
>>Obviously the foundation can spend their money however they see fit but I
find it disappointing to say the least that accessibility is again
considered an add on component, not part of the basic equipment being
donated.  It is sad to see part of the infrastructure of the information
age being built without regard to accessibility.  This happens far too
often.  I find it quite revealing in terms of the true beliefs of Bill
gates on accessibility to have a foundation baring his name and intended to
help the most financially strapped not think accessibility is important
enough to fund or considerr part of the basic requirements of an equipment
donation.
>>
>>If you want more information or have an opinion you want to share with
the foundation, contact information is at the end of this post.
>>
>>I expressed my disappointment in the foundation's lack of consideration
of accessibility.  If the libraries to which they are donating this
equipment are receiving it partly because of lack of funds, is it realistic
to expect that the libraries will be able to afford access technology?  Why
not ensure that people with disabilities are included in the benefits of
access to information that the foundation has as a stated goal?
>>
>>I hope the leadership of the disability community will take this issue
seriously.  I urged the person I spoke with to do so and will be writing to
the foundation's director to express the same idea.  The board of the
foundation has representatives from a wide range of professions and
populations but none from the disability community.  At the very least I
think our population should be represented.
>>
>>As an aside I mentioned the inaccessibility of the foundation's web site
which can be found at:
>>
>>http://www.glf.org
>>
>>Shortly after the conclusion of my conversation I received a call back
from the person I had spoke with.  She told me she had just got off the
phone with the foundation's president and said that she, the president, was
aware of the inaccessible web site and had it on her list of things to do.
I asked about a time line and was given none.  I asked about the other
points I raised and was told they had been taken down.
>>
>>Kelly
>>
>>
>>Contact Information:
>>
>>The Gates Library Foundation
>>P. O. Box 3189
>>Redmond, Washington 98073
>>
>>phone:(425) 882-1200fax: (425) 556-0218
>>
>>email: [log in to unmask]
>>