sorry if you have seen this before but thought many of you might be
interested.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Request for feedback on Accessible cable TV set-top box
prototype:
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 17:39:42 -0500
From: Tom Wlodkowski <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "* EASI: Equal Access to Software &
Information"<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]

Hello,

I apologize for the possible duplication of this message as it has been
sent
to several lists. Please feel free to post this elsewhere if you feel it
is
appropriate.

The Access to Convergent Media Project at WGBH is happy to announce the
availability of a PC-based prototype that demonstrates conventions for
designing an audio-enabled interface to a cable TV set-top box. Your
feedback on this prototype is welcome! It will help us develop future
prototypes, one or more of which will likely be developed in
collaboration
with industry partners including but not limited to cable and satellite
service providers, set-top box hardware developers and developers of
software that runs inside the set-top box.

Occasionally there has been discussion on several disability listserves
about the inaccessibility of digital cable set-top boxes or set-top
boxes
used to receive satellite services like DirecTV due to their employment
of a
graphics-rich user interface. A while back, in response to a message
thread
of this type, I announced WGBH's Access to Convergent Media Project was
working to develop solutions to address accessibility of these devices.
I
also mentioned that I would be looking for blind and visually impaired
consumers to test a series of prototypes. Well, we have just completed
work
on a limited audio-enabled prototype of an electronic program guide
(EPG),
and we're now ready for you to download and test this prototype. Here's
what
to do:

1. Point your web browser to:
 http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/ncam/convergence/epg.html

2. Read this page and if your still interested in testing the prototype
and
providing us with your comments, download and install the prototype. The
appropriate links are available on this web page.

3. Select the remaining links on this page to learn more about our
Access to
Convergent Media Project.

4. Please send comments or questions to me directly at
[log in to unmask] rather than to the list.

5. I am also reachable by phone at 617-300-3400.

Your feedback is essential for a successful outcome to this project.

Best,

Tom Wlodkowski
Project Manager
CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media
E-mail: [log in to unmask]


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