I'd very seriously doubt there are many if any out there that don't get
their license just because they have to listen to the material on a tape or
MP3 CD,  this discussion is getting ridiculous now as I think it was from
the beginning, I'm pulling out of this one now.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 11:40 PM
Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.


> Hi.
>
> I think you are missing the point.  It isn't how many hams do have their
> license, but how many people miss out on getting their licenses primarily
> over accessibility issues.  Why do we always defend second best just
> because that is the way it has been done in the past?
> --Lou K2LKK
>
> At 07:34 PM 1/15/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>>Darrell, while I doubt seriously that "full access" as you define it is
>>"critical" as many hams have their licenses and are blind, your point is
>>well
>>taken.  Remember that Handi-Hams is an organization which requires
>>membership
>>just as any other.  The fact that they provide books to members for a fee
>>means
>>they are not required to follow ADA or related guidelines as would be the
>>case
>>if the materials were open to all.  You have discussed Bookshare as a
>>source for
>>a scan of materials but they are also a fee based service.  I don't see
>>any
>>difference except in the product they sell.  To obtain the kind of access
>>you
>>want does require specific and often expensive equipment thus making it
>>accessible to those who can afford the appropriate gear in large
>>part.  Braille
>>or distribution through NLS would seem to be the way to go with this.
>>
>>Just as the blindness community cannot agree on many things it is likely
>>they
>>will not agree on this particular question but I very definitely agree
>>that at
>>the very least if a book is made available the complete book should be
>>available
>>from study aids to the index to title page information so that it can be
>>used as
>>a reference if appropriate etc.  Bookshare seems an iffie source for
>>accessible
>>texts available nowhere else as its use requires both that the user have
>>an
>>accessible computer and know how to use it.  It also requires that the
>>user be a
>>Bookshare member.  Such does not constitute accessibility to many people.
>>In
>>fact, most blind people do not use computers.  I do use a computer but,
>>for
>>several reasons, do not belong to Bookshare.  If we are going to talk
>>accessibility, let's talk real accessibility and talk about availability
>>via
>>NLS.  Books are available through their web site if you wish to go that
>>way.
>>
>>Tom
>>
>>
>>Tom Brennan  KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
>>web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753
>