I agree that supporting mobile technologies is different than providing
usable access to desktop applications.
Jon
At 08:38 AM 6/19/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>Hello,
>I just received a call from the local rep. for Apple. He was referred to
>me after I sent an email to the ASU's provost over technology concerning
>the lack of a screen reader for OSX. The representative's response was
>literally to quote a note from Apple that the corporation intended to
>support its customers. I can't tell you how relieved I was to hear this
>assurance. :-)
>
>If Apple doesn't solve the issue of a screen reader for OSX, their
>educational market will disappear.
>It does not matter if an "eyes free" environment is being created for
>mobile technology. By the way, the biggest item in cell phones is text
>messaging and sharing pictures.
>
>
>Richard Jones
>Assistant Director
>Disability Resources for Students
>Arizona State University, Main
>480-965-6045
>
>"Our first belief is that "disability" is a rational concept. It does
>not reside within the individual. Our second belief is that electronic
>technology can alter environments in such a manner as to allow people
>who have various functional deficits to operate without any disability
>what so ever." Richard Reed, CCD Newsletter, Fall 1988, v (2), EDUCOM
>Software Initiative, 1989.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Denis Anson
>[<mailto:[log in to unmask]>mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 6:04 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Alva ceases development of outspoken and enlarge for
>macintosh
>
>A very significant part of the model of "built in" access is the idea
>of a mass market application for an eyes free interface. With mobile
>technology, or an operating system that might be used when the user's
>eyes are otherwise involved, you have a need for an eyes-free system.
>If mobil technology becomes part of the digital hub for Apple, this
>model will make very good sense.
>
>Denis Anson
>
>Jon Gunderson wrote:
>
> >There is the current model as screen reader as an add on (assistive
> >technology) in the Microsoft Windows world, but there is also a
>different
> >model as the screen reader (and other current ATs) as part of the OS
> >itself. To the consumer it makes access to computers much more
>affordable
> >and universal, since they do not need to locate and purchase AT to use
> >the OS. I think Apple should be encouraged to use this model since it
> >would raise the level of awareness of all users and especially
>developers
> >to have a screen reader part of their system. The major problem with
>this
> >is how seriously Apple would take the development of features and
> >usability.
> >
> >Jon
> >
>
>--------------------
>Denis Anson, MS, OTR
>Assistant Professor
>College Misericordia
>301 Lake St.
>Dallas, PA 18612
>Phone: 570-674-6413
Jon Gunderson, Ph.D., ATP
Coordinator of Assistive Communication and Information Technology
Division of Rehabilitation - Education Services
MC-574
College of Applied Life Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
1207 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Voice: (217) 244-5870
Fax: (217) 333-0248
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
WWW: http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/
WWW: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~jongund
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