Darragh: A few comments. First, you're right, you're not the only voice talking to them, but I don't think there's enough. I don't honestly think that will ever change just because their aren't that many blind system admins. However, that doesn't mean there aren't things we can't do. First off, one thing I've come to realize is a lot of the assistive tech companies have way less complex environments than what we work in. So, some of this server software might be complex and intimidating for them. Make it easier, instead of saying "Hey this doesn't work" say something like "Hey, I have a VM I want to give you that's not working with your software and here are exact steps on how to turn it on, log in, and duplicate the issue." Having a VM that you can put in their laps and give them steps will go a long way, suddenly you've broken it down into a working environment. As to the assistive tech companies working with the mainstream vendors, if that's what you're thinking about, again I think it's a little much to expect that. Again, these adaptive companies are really focused and have a narrow skill set. So, instead of expecting them to take the leap, find your own contacts, introduce the two and let them talk from the programming component. That's not easy, but it's a step in the right direction and its where I've had the best results. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Darragh OHeiligh Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 2:48 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Raising awareness fo blind system administrators. Good morning, After visiting sight village yesterday, I'm interested in your thought's on how we could raise the profile and awareness of blind system administrators. Every company I spoke to about server software had the opinion that I was the only one to ever speak to them about such things. I know this isn't true but it rasies the point that assistive technologists are not paying attention to what we need. I have a few ideas but until I have my first coffee of the day, I'm going to let others have their say first. Darragh _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

I just do not get this... I created a group for the purpose of raising awareness. Remember? I've only been posting about it for like 3 yearsnow. Every time I ask for volunteers, I get nothing but silence. Look, if you people really want to do something, get off your asses. First thing I want to do is form a group to develop a way to approach companies whose products have accessibility problems. So maybe giving them a vm is one thing we could do. Who knows? Lets get together and figure out an approach. Then we can start hitting these companies with it. I already have contacts within VMWare, for example. We keep having this same discussion but we never actually do anything. Anybody want to volunteer to be the chair of the committee? I'll even be the chair if I have to. But I can't be a committe of one. On Jul 19, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Darragh OHeiligh wrote:

I like the VM idea.

Might have issues over licensing though. More probably than might actually

Regards

Darragh Ó Héiligh Fujitsu

Offices of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Fredrick Building, South Fredrick Street, Dublin2 Telephone: +353 (1) 618 3559 Email: darragh.oheiligh@oireachtas.ie Internet: http://www.oireachtas.ie

From: Ryan Shugart To: Blind sysadmins list Date: 19/07/2012 15:07 Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Raising awareness fo blind system administrators. Sent by: "Blind-sysadmins"

Darragh: A few comments. First, you're right, you're not the only voice talking to them, but I don't think there's enough. I don't honestly think that will ever change just because their aren't that many blind system admins. However, that doesn't mean there aren't things we can't do. First off, one thing I've come to realize is a lot of the assistive tech companies have way less complex environments than what we work in. So, some of this server software might be complex and intimidating for them. Make it easier, instead of saying "Hey this doesn't work" say something like "Hey, I have a VM I want to give you that's not working with your software and here are exact steps on how to turn it on, log in, and duplicate the issue." Having a VM that you can put in their laps and give them steps will go a long way, suddenly you've broken it down into a working environment. As to the assistive tech companies working with the mainstream vendors, if that's what you're thinking about, aga in I think it's a little much to expect that. Again, these adaptive companies are really focused and have a narrow skill set. So, instead of expecting them to take the leap, find your own contacts, introduce the two and let them talk from the programming component. That's not easy, but it's a step in the right direction and its where I've had the best results. Ryan

-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [ mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Darragh OHeiligh Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 2:48 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Raising awareness fo blind system administrators.

Good morning,

After visiting sight village yesterday, I'm interested in your thought's on how we could raise the profile and awareness of blind system administrators.

Every company I spoke to about server software had the opinion that I was the only one to ever speak to them about such things. I know this isn't true but it rasies the point that assistive technologists are not paying attention to what we need.

I have a few ideas but until I have my first coffee of the day, I'm going to let others have their say first.

Darragh _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

_______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

_______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

Darragh: A few comments. First, you're right, you're not the only voice talking to them, but I don't think there's enough. I don't honestly think that will ever change just because their aren't that many blind system admins. However, that doesn't mean there aren't things we can't do. First off, one thing I've come to realize is a lot of the assistive tech companies have way less complex environments than what we work in. So, some of this server software might be complex and intimidating for them. Make it easier, instead of saying "Hey this doesn't work" say something like "Hey, I have a VM I want to give you that's not working with your software and here are exact steps on how to turn it on, log in, and duplicate the issue." Having a VM that you can put in their laps and give them steps will go a long way, suddenly you've broken it down into a working environment. As to the assistive tech companies working with the mainstream vendors, if that's what you're thinking about, again I think it's a little much to expect that. Again, these adaptive companies are really focused and have a narrow skill set. So, instead of expecting them to take the leap, find your own contacts, introduce the two and let them talk from the programming component. That's not easy, but it's a step in the right direction and its where I've had the best results. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Darragh OHeiligh Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 2:48 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Raising awareness fo blind system administrators. Good morning, After visiting sight village yesterday, I'm interested in your thought's on how we could raise the profile and awareness of blind system administrators. Every company I spoke to about server software had the opinion that I was the only one to ever speak to them about such things. I know this isn't true but it rasies the point that assistive technologists are not paying attention to what we need. I have a few ideas but until I have my first coffee of the day, I'm going to let others have their say first. Darragh _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins