I think this is a very encouraging thing. I have said, a number of
times, that I believe access to consumer electronics is going to be a
much bigger problem for us then access to computers. This is because most
of them are closed boxes.
The problem of course is the use of either on-screen programming for
TV's, VCR's, etc., or the use of LCD and other small screens. There is
even now a stereo that uses a TV and a mouse-like device for control, and
it may be from Sony, I can't exactly remember.
At a minimum we need to pass out information from a device to a serial
port or standard infrared link so we can intercept and read it. We
worked on funding proposals for this a couple years ago. At a maximum we
need speech to be built into products so we can walk up to them and use them.
David Andrews
On Thu, 11 Jan 1996, T. V. Cranmer wrote:
> The forwarded message that follows was addressed to me, Tim Cranmer, and
> Emerson Foulke,. However, it is clearly intended for the R&D Committee.
> I suggest that we exchange ideas on the subject here on the list, and
> that Mr. Buhrow summarize our views in an e-mail message to Dr. Jernigan
> well before the end of the month.
>
> Here is the forwarded message:
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 14:09:02 -0500 (EST)
> From: National Federation of the Blind <nfb@access.digex.net>
> To: e0foul01@homer.louisville.edu, tvc@iglou.com
> Subject: zurita's request
>
>
> To: Members of the Committee
> on Research and Development
>
> Dear Colleagues:
>
> As you can see from the enclosure, Pedro Zurita requests a
> reply from me before the end of January. If you have any
> thoughts on this matter, please let me have them.
>
> Cordially,
> Kenneth Jernigan
>
>
> 28th December 1995
>
> Dear Dr. Jernigan:
> Early in December, I had a most encouraging and interesting
> meeting with managers of the Sony Corporation. They already have
> accepted the concept of barrier-free design of their products,
> and I am confident that positive steps may be taken in the near
> future.
> A communication line has now been established between their
> testing laboratory for product accessibility and the World Blind
> Union. They have requested me suggestions on accessibility for
> videocamaras and video playback/recording equipment. I would
> very much appreciate if you could let me have helpful proposals
> prepared by your committees of research and development, where
> the aspirations of users are well reflected.
> I kindly urge to let me have your suggestions by January
> 31st 1996.
>
> Yours sincerely,
> Pedro Zurita
> Secretary General
> World Blind Union
>
> cc: Felipe Torrecilla
>
>
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