Hi,
The only thing I see with this is that companies like Microsoft/Vmware
may have to deal with potentially a lot of disability group
organisations such as BCAB, NFB, etc, and information may not get to the
right place.
Speaking as a member of the BCAB board, I would personally like to see
BCAB involved in more of this type of work, which was originally what
BCAB was set up to do (though the emphasis was more on mainframe and
programming support back in the late sixties). We have had to change
our tactic due to the fact we thought as not many individuals were
asking us to do much in this arena; we should try and get new users
involved with using computers etc.
Thanks.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: John G. Heim [mailto:jheim@math.wisc.edu]
Sent: 12 January 2009 15:04
To: Blind sysadmins list
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] AVICP?
After looking at the BCAB web site, I'd say their emphasis is
significantly
different from what I envisioned. I listed 3 things I thought the IAVICP
would do:
1. Serve as an unbrella site for accessibility info For example, if you
want
to find out about accessible Windows installs, you google
"site:iavicp.org
install windows". It could serve as a mirror for things like nvda,
speakup,
and orca.
2. Provide social networking (as opposed to computer networking). For
example, I'm imagining that if a member hears about a job opening, he
could
post about it on the IAVICP web site. I already do this with my friends.
When I hear about a IT job opening at the University of Wisconsin where
I
work, I send it out to my friends via email.
3. Advocacy for accessibility of products essential to computer
professional
jobs. For example, work with Microsoft to make the Windows installer
accessible, Work with vmware to make the vmware virtual infrastructure
web
app accessible.
The BCAB is marginally involved in these kinds of things but it's not
their emphasis. I mean, I seriously doubt the BCAB has contacted vmware
about the inaccessibility of their application. The difference in
emphasis
is important in that our jobs depend on accessibility. The NFB, for
example,
has a committee to deal with computer accessibility issues. And, yes,
they
talk to Microsoft about accessible installs. But the vast majority of
blind
people don't care that the Windows installer is inaccessible. The vast
majority of blind people don't care that the vmware web app is
inaccessible.
The NFB has to focus on things like the Target web sit because that kind
of
thing effects far more blind people than vmware's web app.
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Bell"
Isn't that what BCAB (British Computer Association of the Blind) is for?
There web site is at http://www.bcab.org.uk/
George.
-----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of John Heim Sent: 11 January 2009 19:33 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] AVICP?
All,
I'm thinking of trying to start an organization for blind and visually
impaired computer professionals. This group would have 3 purposes: 1. Serve as an umbrella group for providing technical information for
blind computer professionals. 2. Provide social networking services. By social networking, I don't necessarily mean fun & games. That's okay but I was thinking more in terms of jobs. 3. Provide advocacy. For example, the group could approach vmware about making their products more accessible to the blind and visually
impaired. I know the NFB has a sub-committee that attempts to address
computer accessibility but their approach is geared more toward the general public. Not that there is anything wrong with suing Target, for example, but is small potatoes from my point of view. The inaccessibility of vmware, for example, directly effects my abilityto
get and keep a job.
I am tentatively thinking of using the name Association of Visually Impaired Computer Professionals, AVICP. What do you think?
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BCAB
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