Hi John,
There are a number of ways to certify your disability. I don't believe
seeing a doctor is absolutely required. I think another person, such as a
VR counselor, can do this for you. We all have to see a doc from time to
time. The doc doesn't have to be an opthomologist. It could just be your
family doctor or general practitioner. I really don't see this requirement
to verify your disability as being a huge deal, so long as the process for
doing this is made as accessible as possible. You have to verify
disability. Doesn't that make sense?
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 7:42 PM
Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.
> so if you don't bother with a doctor, you can't join.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Darrell Shandrow" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.
>
>
>> Hi Tom,
>>
>> I absolutely love Bookshare and feel that, if you do have a computer or
>> even
>> a device such as a BrailleNote or a PAC Mate, then you're absolutely
>> crazy
>> not to join! Bookshare's disability verification process is extremely
>> accessible, and I am essentially demanding that all organizations
>> requiring
>> disability certification implement a similar process. First, Bookshare
>> will
>> accept NLS membership as disability verification with no further action
>> needed. Second, Bookshare will e-mail the disability verification form
>> to
>> the doctor. Third, they will accept a properly signed FAX back from that
>> doctor. All of this can serve to leave the blind person out of the
>> inaccessible parts of this process.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 6:34 PM
>> Subject: Re: Revisiting accessible amateur radio study materials.
>>
>>
>>> 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
>>
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