Re: A question of definition

[Janina Sajka <janina@afb.net>]

I would expect we cannot insist that replacing computer parts will ever be
fully accessible. I am loathe, as a blind woman, to seat memory, for
example--though I expect there are blind people who do so because they do
it all the time. I would not expect that someone without arms would open a
computer and replace i/o boards.

I do think we can say that the logical elements of it must be accessible.
This would include everything from login to email to spread sheet work. It
would include display and input systems as far as controls are concerned.
It would not include the actual recorded message in a voice mail
system--though it should include control information. It would not include
the drawing produced in Paint or a CAD system, though it should include
the controls for accessing the system.

I say the controls should be included not because it is important for a
deaf person to delete voice mail they cannear. But they should be able to
forward any voice mail to a secretary or transcription service and know
how many messages were received and from what system user--as that data is
available. A blind person should be able to retrieve a drawing and print
it, if not actually modify the drawing. And if they have some memory of
color, it may be important even to specify a color scheme for someone else
to use.

I think we can go a long way toward success on these issues if we focus on
making controls--logical control functions--accessible. This would keep us
from trying to make deaf people hear, and blind people see--which we
cannot achieve. It would specify achievable and usable access.



				Janina Sajka, Director
				Information Systems Department
				American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

janina@afb.net


On Thu, 22 Oct 1998, Randy Dipner wrote:

> DEFINITION SUBCOMMITTEE:
> 
> I'd like to pursue this aspect of definition a bit further.
> 
> While on the ADAAG review committee, we confronted a similar problem
> with the definition of operating controls. For example, the lock on the
> front door of an office building is an operating control as is the
> button on an elevator or the control on a drinking fountain or the flow
> adjustment on the ceiling air vent in my office. We were never able to
> come to a consensus as to which of these were within the definition of
> controls for the ADAAG and which were not. I think the same problem
> exists for technology. Is it really feasible to make the connectors on
> the back of a computer fully accessible? It's possible certainly and if
> they are not accessible then a person with limited dexterity due to a
> disability does not have the same access to the technology as other
> users. I appreciate Karen's input and would like to hear others thoughts
> on this.
> 
> --
> Randy Dipner
> President
> Meeting the Challenge, Inc.
> 3630 Sinton Road, Suite 103
> Colorado Springs, CO 80907-5072
> 719-578-8448 (voice/TTY) 719-444-0269 (fax)
> email: dipner@mtc-inc.com
> 
> 
>