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Begin forwarded message:

> From: Michael Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 28 February, 2013 10:54:44 AM NST
> To: Michael Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re_DStar accessability
> 
> Hi Chris and all: 
> 
> I wasn't suggesting we do anything foolish and irrational. I think the planning and formalization of some sort of blind and visually impaired ham operators council, to lobby these software and hardware manufacturers would be a way to go.  
> It is Icom's fault that their DStar rigs aren't accessible. It is Yaesu's fault that the only accessible rig available and limited at that, is the FT-450/X, while Kenwood, pretty much makes its amateur products about 50% accessible. 
> Likewise its Ten-Tec's fault their equipment isn't accessible. For those venders that make their products a little or 50% accessible, it wouldn't take a whole lot more programming to make them fully. 
> Take most of the modern cell phones, how many of us are using either an IPhone or cell phone with a 3RD party screen reader on it?  If Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu can give you a limited to 50% voice read out, then they can go all the way. 
> The fact is they just don't care and are more or less doing enough to just make the disability access rule under the FCC and they'll tell you there isn't enough demand for the voice read out but we know there is. There's probably a lack of education playing a roll as well. 
> They don't know who to talk too as it relates to making their products accessible. 
> 
> When you mention blind up here in NL Canada, the CNIB is thrown at us by those who don't know. In fact the CNIB doesn't do a whole lot on pushing rule changes and lobbying governments. However, if you need a new cain or some daily living skills training, then give them a call. The reason for this is they have no money and are barely surviving them selves and so the beat goes on. 
> I'm sure that this is the norm pretty much everywhere, in some capacity. 
> 
> Now as to the Amateur Radio hobby, I too have enough to play around with to keep me interested but the disability community has had to put up with work arounds, or innovative aids popping up since its inception. Everyone else it seems has had full access to all the latest and greatest technologies as they came along with out any problem. Why shouldn't I be able to fully use the Ten-Tec Eagle/Omni-VII/Orion, Yaesu FT-950/2000/x/FTDX/X as easily as a sighted individual? 
> Why should I be told that if you want any of these rigs, get a laptop, throw HRD on it an you'll get the frequency and S-9 read out of one VFO at a time like you do with an out of date TS-440/450/570/X. ? I think its time for these companies be made to tow the line. 
> Unless the blind and visually impaired ham doesn't have a vary large voice, instead of many voices in the wilderness, then the beat will go on. Now of course, you can memorize complex menu settings or set short cut keys and that's great. 
> I'm a Yaesu fan and my dream transceiver requires a no longer made third party instrument in order for me to operate it successfully but if I wanted an FT-2000 series? I'd have to use a PC with screen reader and then a third party piece of software or used it as a basic rig. 
> Another point, I think most of us are getting tired of the handholding there there now attitude. I know I am.  
> Hope you all don't think that I'm a hard ass and thanks for letting me vent.  
> 
> 73: 
> 
> Michael DE VO1AX 
> 
> 
>