Attention all audio enthusiasts and engineers interested in using
Pro Tools. In light of the recent plea transmitted to this list, I
am compelled to clarify the very important history and ongoing
advocacy efforts on behalf of blind Pro Tools users. Please
consider this information before taking any action called for in the
recent post to this list.
Many of you are aware of the proven track record that I have in
working with Digidesign to make Pro Tools accessible for blind
users. In fact, for several years, Digidesign published a story
about our successful work in this area on their web site. For those
who don't know, in 1992 I initiated a dialog with the leadership at
Digidesign about possible accessibility for blind users. By 1994, I
successfully arranged a test at the Digidesign lab which determined
that outSPOKEN, the Mac screen reader at the time, would NOT
function with Pro Tools. Specifically, the Mac would not even boot
properly while both outSPOKEN and Pro Tools were loaded on the
machine. However, through respectful, professional, assertive
communication, I was pleased to find that Digidesign voluntarily
made changes to a "system init" file which resolved the conflict and
allowed blind users to access Pro Tools. The change was made with
the launch of the next generation of the Pro Tools software at that
time and appeared simultaneously with other improvements to the
software.
Since then, I launched the "BlindProducers.com" web site and made
special arrangements with the Digidesign sales department and a Los
Angeles vendor to be able to sell Pro Tools systems to blind
individuals with an appropriate package and sufficient support to
make use of Pro Tools realistic for blind users. I facilitated the
purchase of Pro Tools for blind clients of the department of
rehabilitation after they in fact purchased my own system. I even
later hired blind audio engineers in my studio to work as Pro Tools
engineers. Digidesign is well aware of all of these facts. Jerry
Halatyn and I arranged to meet in person with the product
development team at Digidesign and demonstrated how blind users
interacted with Pro Tools 5.1.3 versus what the barriers are for
using Pro Tools 6.0 and later. We have established a rapport with
key leadership at Digidesign over the years and are working to help
them resolve some SIGNIFICANT technical barriers to accessibility.
We can discuss those technical details on this list at a later time.
In the interest of preserving the good will at Digidesign, and with
respect for their past record of making necessary accomodations, we
ask that all interested audio enthusiasts and professionals allow us
to continue to pursue the existing path toward accessibility for Pro
Tools.
Nobody has a greater interest in finding a resolution than myself or
Jerry since both of us earn a living exclusively by making
recordings with or Pro Tools systems which are now quite old and out
of date.
Please note that rather than bombarding some clerk at Digidesign
with separate and random expressions of frustration, Jerry and I
organized a public display of support for a resolution with the Pro
Tools Petition at www.ProToolsPetition.org which did render a
response from Digidesign.
We ask that all brainstorming on this subject be done in an open
forum and that NO ACTION be taken without careful consideration of
the history and progress made thus far.
Why not stick with what has worked folks? Ask yourselves how much
you really know about what the technical problems are that face
Digidesign this time around. I assure you the barriers are
significant.
Rick Boggs
