On Mar 17, 2006, at 10:32 AM, Travis Siegel wrote:
Well, let me see.
In 1986 I couldn't write a document on the computer, and 2 minutes
later hold it in my hand as a braille document. I can today.
Actually, I could in 1986 because I had access to a bbraille
embosser. Today, I can't--and don't, in that order. (The embosser was
even halfway decent: the Versapoint...) Although, prices have fallen
somewhat...though, IMO, not enough.
In 1986 I couldn't talk to teachers, resellers, solution providers,
and even school admissions officers online. Today I can (and do on
a regular basis)
No argument there. Even Fidonet BBS's were only for the real computer
enthusiasts, certainly not commonplace.
In 1986 there wasn't an intersection in the country I could cross w/
o having to worry about cars causing problems. Today, because of
audible cross walk signals, there's actually some places where we
*know* there's no problem, because the signals tell us so, instead
of depending on the traffic to do the right thing.
Sorry, you've lost me on this one. If an idiot driver disobeys the
traffic laws and hits you as a pedestrian, you're still going to lose
and could potentially still be just as dead. Audible traffic signals
are far from a solution to the traffic problems (which, IMO, are
actually worse than they were in 1986), pedestrians in general have
it worse, lights are shorter, traffic patterns are more horrible, and
audible traffic signals have just as much of a potential to be poorly
synchronized with the actual traffic light and can still be misread.
In 1986, I had to take someone into the voting booth with me if I
wanted to exercise my right to vote. Today there's actually *some*
places where thhis isn't necessary.
True. I hope we get some here in Pennsylvania.
In 1986, MAC machines were a mystery, because every single one of
them was different, and there was no guarantee that even ones that
looked similar had similar screens. Today there's not only braille
on the keypads of most machines (not that it was necessary) but
some of them actually talk to walk us through the process of using
the machine unaided.
But the ones that don't talk are still just as mysterious and
different from each other. Finding the ones that *do* talk isn't
necessarily a cakewalk either. I'm fortunate to have a bank that has
a talking machine...actually, I think all of National City's machines
talk now, and it's fantastic! But if you need to use a non-talking
one, it's still a mystery.
In 1986 if I wanted an assignment from a teacher in accessible
format, it meant getting a copy in advance, taking it to my
itenerate teacher, her passing it off to a braille person, that
person brailling it (or recording it if it lended itself to that
format) Giving it back to the itenerate teacher, then finally it
coming back to me in a format I could use. This process often took
days or sometimes even weeks. Today I simply ask the teacher for a
copy, they hand me a disk, or email a document, and poof, I can now
read my assignment all by myself.
Heck, that process was still true for me about nine years ago! Of
course, will you actually get the assignment from the teacher in that
way? Maybe. Probablyk, in most cases, I expect. :)
There's hundreds of little improvements that like it or not are
based on technology. You say you weren't asking about technology,
but I say that technology is the very thing that makes it all
possible. You ask what's changed? I say nearly everything.
In 1986, I couldn't do half the things I do now independantly, and
today it's all a mater of routine. If you don't consider that
progress, then I guess, then we've got *very* different definitions
of what constitutes progress.
Sure, we have progress, and sometimes even in great directions. On
the other hand, has it all been good? I'd submit that it
hasn't...although I'd also say I wouldn't go back, because enough
good progress has been made that the steps backwards (i.e. worse
traffic patterns, graphical Turing tests, need I go on?) are things I
guess I can live with until someone gets smart and figures a better way.
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV : Independent Watkins Associate #361534
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] : Phone: 888-752-8339
--------------------------------------
For over 135 years, Watkins has brought you products to improve your
health and your home: http://www.tastyshop.net
...And a Watkins business could change your life! Get all the info on
our business and the exclusive resources available to my team: http://
www.tastybiz.com
