Lotus and the Dept. of ED

From: Don Barrett (Don_Barrett@ed.gov)
Date: Wed Feb 26 1997 - 23:17:34 PST


          The simple fact is, we have between fifteen and twenty
          applications under development right now using Notes as the
          development kit. I guarantee that some aspects of these
          applications will be accessible, but I can assure all of you
          that many aspects, and important workflow related ones, will
          not be accessible. I personally had to drop out of two big
          information-gathering projects, because the data input was
          Notes-based, and these applications were
          inaccessible to the point where I couldn't keep up. Let me
          assure you that I am quite computer literate, and if I
          couldn't figure out how to do it, the average blind user
          would have a real hard time using these applications.

          I don't want to ramble here, but the bottom line for me, is
          that the issues here go way beyond what is happening at the
          Department of Education. Fact is, whatever happens with
          Notes in my office, I doubt if I'll lose my job because
          Notes isn't accessible, because my job isn't solely reliant
          upon these applications -- at least, not now.

          But think of this, every single corporation, federal, state,
          and local agency which uses Notes or inaccessible
          applications like it, just closes the door a little further
          to employing blind folk like us.

          The Department is doing some really great things in terms of
          developing criteria to be put into future contracts, and I
          am proud to be a part of that work, and proud to be at the
          Department. But, if just one large agency had saidto
          another giant like Lotus, "we just cannot purchase your
          product until you build in some specific accessibility
          features, the magic would happen, and happen fast. So
          before you pick Janina's letter appart, just be sure that
          the objections you raise are of more consequence than the
          issues she raises.

          Janina and the folks who wrote that letter don't even work
          at Education, but they've taken on an issue that has been
          long overdue in working through.

          We blind employees at Federal agencies are trying too, but
          sometimes it takes outsiders to shake things up a bit, and
          get things on track.

          Don Barrett

                                                     



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