[access-uk] Re: Capital Accessibility Cellphone at CSUN
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:43:33 -0000
That's all very well Steve, and I've said I'm in favour of mainstream products
being usable by us - and everyone else for that matter. Talx seems to work
well in bringing that about re. mobiles, at least for VI people with no other
significant problems. Surely too we aren't the only ones to find problems with
the rediculous degree of miniaturisation now possible and being brought to
market. Some sighted people have trouble with minute keyboards too and often
find them a pain. You may say that proves only its not a VI specific problem;
but I'm arguing that such interfaces often do work against good human
interaction with products, and particularly for some people.
To assert 'we're just like anyone else' seems to verge on the nonsensical.
Severe visual impairment, or no sight at all has profound effects on
communication, whether its with visually oriented devices or other human
beings. We can adapt, (on both sides), but often that adaptability takes a lot
of insight and effort.
Not wishing to go off totally at a tangent here, but I'm often astounded by the
assertion of many Deaf activists that if only everyone knew sign language there
would be no problem for them. Absolute rubbish! For a start often BSL is used
very imperfectly and one hell of a lot seems to get lost in the
translation/interpretation. Its usually a very slow affair too.
That brings me back to visual impairment, luckily for this list! Things (are)
often a good deal slower for us, which is one reason we tend to be so excluded
from mainstream employment. (There are other reasons too, and lack of
accommodation of our needs is high on the list of other things.
Impairments often don't come in neat packages of one at a time either. As well
as blindness people can have hearing loss and impaired sense of touch. Add to
that subtle psychological factors, including confidence interpersonal problems
and maybe cognitive difficulties too, and you have a more complex picture that
no amount of assertion around 'sameness' can overcome.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Dryden" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
:I have to agree here, the oasis in my opinion is a hideous thing and to be
: honest, quite an insult. OK I know some people have poor dexterity and for
: some the oasis is fine and does have it's place but I agree that there is a
: strong stereotypical opinion that if you are blind, you can't use little
: buttons, utter rubbish! I'm 6 feet 2 and well built, I have large hands and
: still have no problems in using a little phone with small buttons.
:
: The way forward is by making mainstream products accessible. After all,
: aren't we as blind people, meant to educate people and adopt the philosophy
: that we are no different to anyone else? So, in that case, why should we
: have to use none mainstream products? Discuss! Haha!
:
: Steve
:
: Steve Hyde-Dryden
:
: Text or call on
:
: Tel: 07799766944
:
: MSN: steve_dryden@xxxxxxxxxxx
: Skype: knightvader
: Email: steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
:
: ----- Original Message -----
: From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
: To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
: Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 12:04 PM
: Subject: [access-uk] Re: Capital Accessibility Cellphone at CSUN
:
:
: > Hi Ray,
: >
: > I personally still have concerns about screenless phones of any kind.
: > While
: > they have to be great for access for us, if you as a blind person need
: > help
: > from a sighted colleague, it is quite hard for them to help you, without
: > either dipping into the manual of the phone, or knowing the phone
: > themselves. Sighted people by default are very used to using mobiles with
: > screens, so when all of a sudden your Talks doesn't, you can ask a sighted
: > person across the room if there is one, what is going on. This has always
: > been my main concern with the Auasys phone and potential phones like it.
: > Aside from the fact that the speech is inferior on the Auasys, there is no
: > Bluetooth, no infrared, no way of downloading ring tones, no way of
: > participating in society's general use of mobile phones, if you are blind.
: > This is why I have, and always will, believe that getting mainstream
: > equipment to talk is by far, the best solution for all.
: >
: > All the best
: > --
: > Computer Room Services: the long cane for blind computer users.
: > Telephone Low-call: 08452 606 277
: > International: +44(0)1438 742286,
: > Fax: +44(0)1438 759589
: > mobile: +44(0)7956 334938,
: > Email: mailto:Steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
: > Web site: http://www.comproom.co.uk
: >
: > -----Original Message-----
: > From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
: > Of
: > Ray's Home
: > Sent: 24 March 2006 22:19
: > To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
: > Subject: [access-uk] Capital Accessibility Cellphone at CSUN
: >
: > One approach to cellphone accessibility is to do away with the screen
: > entirely.
: > Marlaina learns more.
: > http://www.acbradio.org/archives/csun2006/csun64k09.mp3
: >
: > Yes, I know folks, its only the Oasis screenless phone which many have
: > decided isn't a good deal.
: >
: > Interesting thing about this interview is that T-Mobile in the states is
: > giving a pretty generous discount to those who go on contract with them
: > there.
: >
: > A precedent for UK demands? Maybe, maybe not. Suppose it depends on
: > market
: > conditions.
: >
: >
: > Ray.
: > mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
:
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