Hi tony, I too have noticed the steps backwards when it comes to accessibility. I do not like it, but at the same time, I do understand it. Things change, and we Blind do live in a World dominated by those with Sight. We are the minority, and while I never think of myself as a Second Class Citizen, I do know that my Blindness does put me into some other category of the population other than normal, or average.
After losing my sight, I have made it a point to not become too dependant upon those wonderful electronic gadgets that make life a bit easier. Back when the first Talking Calculator came along, they sold for $400, and those were 1975 dollars. I wanted one in the worst way. Even saved up the money for one. But decided to not buy one, because I had learned how to use the Abacus, and I could use it well. In fact, I still use one from time to time, just for the fun of it. when I was learning how to use it, I thought, why don't they teach how to use this fantastic contraption to all school students? but, I have seen a lot of electronic devices come and go. Most I did not purchase, because I did not want to become so dependant upon them. And to be honest, I could not always afford them. In the early 1980's, when I could buy my first computer, and a primitive Screen Reader, I was all in. I jumped into the Electronic contraption world with everything I had. And I have become extremely dependant upon my computer. I do almost everything with the help of my computer. shopping, research, entertainment, employment, and even Hobbies. On occasion, my neighborhood has suffered a power outage. And it is during these power outages that I am reminded just how dependant upon my Talking Computer, Thanks to Window eyes, I am. To live without the use of a computer would be a shock. I am ssure I would adapt some how, as I always have learned to adjust when adjustment was needed, but it would be difficult. I have to admit, I am spoiled. And I am spoiled by the very good quality of the product GW Micro has been producing since the early 1990's. I have been one to voice my irritations with the new 9.X edition of Window Eyes. And this version and I still are not getting along well. I am hoping that 9.3 will fix everything. And as I say this, I do know that there are many factors that cause problems. And to make Window eyes work well today, is more complicated than it was 15 years ago. And yet, I am spoiled, and very dependant. Very Dependant. Too dependant. But, I have little in the way of alternatives at this point. And I am speaking of using the computer here and not just the Window eyes screen Reader. I have become what I avoided for so many years, and that is deeply dependant upon a machine that can fail, for a long list of reasons. So as I observe the need for accessibility increasing, at the same time, the level of accessibility is shrinking. right now, software is used in many offices that is not read well by any screen reader. And to change out a Companies Customer Service Database, to one that can be read by a Screen Reader. . . well, it just isn't going to happen. Why force an entire company to adjust to one Blind guy that has special needs? So, i hope that Brains smarter than mine can figure out how to adjust to the ever changing world of Computer software. And I hope that any of us can find employment because our Screen Reader becomes a tool that makes the playing field a lot more even. Dave -- Dave <[email protected]> _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
