Im afraid that in general, I dont se that we have progressed nearly as far as some think we have in terms of accessibility. While I never really used computers, Mac or PCs, with dos based speech, I have heard that it was far better. I do know that the invent of GUI interfaces and the like has complicated this level of accessibility.
I also feel that we as blind and low vision users are an after thought and even feel that computer companies often view us as obstacles to progress. Months ago I was following some of the discussion around the changes Microsoft is making in Windows Vista and with its Office product. It sure sounded like these changes were going to further complicate accessibility. Further, even our good friends at Apple one minute push accessibility but then release products like iWork06 where parts of the program are accessible and then you cant do simple things like write or edit text. Even in other areas we continue to be ignored as blind folks. Just this week the city of Phoenix passed several bond proposals that will be used to improve the quality of life here in the city. One project involves the city parks and recreation department partnering with the local center for independent living to build an accessible fitness center. However, when I reviewed the list of planned activities and equipment, everything listed was for those who use chairs. Nothing about making the machines accessible to blind users. Nothing about activities involving blind folks. The point is that even among our brothers and sisters in the disability community, when we talk accessibility weve not moved beyond ramps and curb cuts. I think this is what bothers me the most. The blindness organizations have done some things but probably most obvious is that as blind folks weve been segmented off in to our own little group. And then, our little blind group is further divided because consumer organizations are too busy pissing and moaning at one another over philosophical differences. Just imagine what we could do if we as blind people could get our crap together, stop being our own little community and stop being our own organizations. Just think what could happen if we as a disability community could recognize our collective needs and be working together. About the only time we can manage to do that is when cuts to vocational rehab are proposed. Sorry reason to gather together on an issue if you ask me. Alas, Ive gone far afield on my little rant here. Sorry! I do believe though that the potential is there to have a better quality of life and further accessibility to many things in the future. This because individuals who are aging are loosing their vision at an alarming rate. These are people who have worked hard and been successful all of their lives. I dont think that these folks in the baby-boomer generation are just going to decide that life and independence are lost because they begin loosing their vision. So, I think that there will continue to be increased demand for products and services to increase in accessibility. I also think that more products using voice recognition and speech will continue to come on the market and this can be a good thing for us. > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: 2006/03/17 Fri AM 10:11:03 EST > To: General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X by the > blind <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: where are we at twenty years later? > > > We are behind the computer curve as an after thought. We have not reached > in the mac and ms worlds the level of access and power and flexibility and > user control of screen readers that was possible 15 years ago in dos. Most > blind folk are unaware of this because most have become computer users in a > windows world and are thrilled that their computer speaks at all, not > realizing that the gui ms and mac based speech is second and even third > best when it works at all. > > We have let the national blind groups to do a song and dance on us and > neglect leadership on speech access and making excuses why it is so. > There is no blind vision among them as to what access is in all aspects of > life and most particular in technology. As a thumbnail neasure, almost > universal captioning on tv and equally universal wheelchair access to all > public places puts to shame the disarray and third best even if it exists > use of technology we have. > > XB > IC|XC > > >
