Comments on: Access technology – Is It Best To Go Mainstream?

By: Dwight Brady

Dwight Brady — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:39:57 +0000

I’ve always thought that specialist technology was, and still is, a backlash to the inaccessibility of mainstreme products, an alternative way for disabled people to try and do the same things as everyone else. But now, as companies like apple are making their products more inclusive, there is less of a need to search for something that will do a similar job to your friend’s device or whatever. I think the world of mainstreme accessibility should be welcomed with open arms, I’m surprised people like Freedom Scientific haven’t made atempts to make JAWS a standard, afordable program that appears on some machines.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:39:17 +0000

Yes AT and main stream companies need to come together and realize we are a market to. We want choices. I think Microsoft is coming along with things and has come a long way, since Windows 95 same thing with Apple. It sure would be nice to have a talking television since we watch TV, also have access to the mainstream GPS products. We want to be able to pay the same price for everything just like our sighted family and friends. A lot of us still use Windows PCS and Apple products in fact some of us have windows and apple products in the home and office. I would really like to see accessibility out of the box both on Windows and Apple systems along with talking cds and braille manuals. Maybe large print ones for people who need that type of accessibility. With the braille displays used on a Windows PC and Apple products the sighted community should be able to understand what braille is and its still verry important. If accessibility is affordable then the unemployment rate for blind people would be no more. As far as note takers for the blind too expensive and outdated.

By: Jorge Fernandes

Jorge Fernandes — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:17:07 +0000

“Access technology – Is It Best To Go Mainstream?”

From my experience of 20 years using assistive technologies, the answer is YES. Everyone pays and use who need it. Since 2004, I never more has the need to bought a screen magnifier and is still 100% updated – in fact, all the new version of OS also have a new version of magnifier. And I’m not talking about opensource – this one, have all the time a little bit of something that don’t work properly .

By: John Sexton

John Sexton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:32:38 +0000

Hi,

Well I say thanks to opensource technology and the goodness of shared information.

Products like NVDA and Thunder screen readers as well as Apple technology is helping better intagrate modern digital technology for many people.

Manufacturers need educating! The more we can make large manufacturers see the benefits in opening up their products to everyone, the better it will be for everyone.

What I’d like to see, is specialist assistive companies partner with main stream companies to help ensure better more accessible products being produced at main stream prices. I believe the availability of opensource solutions may help push things in this direction.

Best, John

By: Hugh McLeod

Hugh McLeod — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:50:06 +0000

One of the first lessons I learned in Human Rights is that, “Separate is Not Equal.” They are always telling us to be grateful. Fine. So I’m grateful. But why should we as persons who are different accept sub-standard treatment? Would they say the same if we were persons of colour? Women? I am a man. Well, actually they would and they do. Its up to all of us to remember that while we are grateful for assistance it is not the same as equality and only through inclusion and full integration will we achieve the basic humandignity and respect that is our birthright. Separate is never equal.