Charles.Crawford@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Charles Crawford) (09/20/90)
Index Number: 10515
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
So hello,
I am getting real concerned about the developments in graphical
user interfacing. Not only Aplle, but IBM and even Unix. This could
put a real cramp in speech access since I know of no substantial
speech access hooks in new stuff and only so so activity with
present happenings. I have written to President Bush to see if he
can jump start the feds where some very good people are having
problems getting anywhere with this.
Maybe others should be writing too. The A.D.A. and Section 508 of
the Rehab Act should be suficient, but nobody pays attention, then
nothing happens.
Folks interested in my editiorial on it, can call 617-451-5327
during non-business hours and look at bulletin #2.
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Internet: Charles.Crawford@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgGlen.Nielson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Glen Nielson) (10/02/90)
Index Number: 10707
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
I'm not sure, but maybe I talked to you on the phone about a week ago.
Anyway, it does seem to me that there are several reasons for optimism
on this subject. For instance, at present two-thirds of the IBM PC's
have no graphics capabilities at all. Also, it seems to me that people
don't do that much "real graphics" such as plotting and studying three-
dimensional objects. On the other hand, I think your efforts are worthwhile
and will follow you in writing the president. The situation can be fixed
now before it gets out of control. I for one think it's a sad commentary
on things that noone has developed an accessible version of XWINDOWS--
a public-domain system that is widely used to provide a window environment
for UNIX. It seems to me that such a development could be achieved for
less than $50,000.
Glen
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Internet: Glen.Nielson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (10/02/90)
Index Number: 10764
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
CC> I am getting real concerned about the developments in
CC> graphical user interfacing. Not only Aplle, but
CC> IBM and even Unix. This could put a real cramp in speech access since I
CC> know of no substantial speech access hooks in new stuff and only
CC> so so activity with present happenings. I have written to
CC> President Bush to see if he can jump start the feds where some
CC> very good people are having problems getting anywhere with
CC> this. Maybe others should be writing too. The A.D.A. and
CC> Section 508 of the Rehab Act should be suficient, but nobody pays
CC> attention, then nothing happens.Folks interested in my editorial
CC> on it, can call 617-451-5327 during non-business hours and look
CC> at bulletin #2.
You have certainly brought up a problem that needs dealing with.
At the NFB convention in Dallas, IBM was talking about a version of
its Screen Reader which wuld work with Presentation Manager. They
expected to have something out for testing by the end of this
year. As I understand it, Section 508 says that any equipment and
software that the Federal government buys has to be able to be made
accessable. Presentation Manager and other GUI's certainly do not
fall into this category. Somebody, such as your agency, the
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind is going to have to play
hard ball with either the Feds and/or software manufacturers. I
have mentioned this problem to my boss, Fred Schroeder, Director of
the New Mexico Commission for the Blind, and while he is interested
in it, we are a small agency, with limited resources. We currently
do not have a technology specialist, I am trying to fill in, and no
Attorney on staff. Maybe this is an issue for one of the
organizations of state agencies serving the blind, AERBVI, AFB or
someone like that, to take up. David Andrews
... Your Sound Alternative
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Internet: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgalistair@minster.york.ac.uk (Alistair Edwards) (10/11/90)
Index Number: 11061 In article <14538@bunker.UUCP> Glen.Nielson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org writes: >Index Number: 10707 >Anyway, it does seem to me that there are several reasons for optimism >on this subject. > I for one think it's a sad commentary >on things that noone has developed an accessible version of XWINDOWS-- >a public-domain system that is widely used to provide a window environment >for UNIX. It seems to me that such a development could be achieved for >less than $50,000. I am sorry to perhaps be depressing, but I am not so optimistic - and I think I am in a good position to know; this has been the main topic of my research for the past five years. The reason that 'an accessible version of XWINDOWS' - or any (most) other graphical user interfaces (GUIs) has not been developed is that it is a VERY hard problem. Many people are aware of it, few people have any idea how to solve it and even fewer are working on it. Berkeley Systems Inc have made a valiant try to adapt the Macintosh and IBM are working along very similar lines at the moment - oh, yes and I and some colleagues are addressing it too, but we are all a long way from a practical solution - and it will take MUCH more than $50,000. I already have a research grant of around $100,000 and my work will only scratch the surface. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Alistair Edwards University of York, York, England YO1 5DD earn/bitnet: alistair@minster.york.ac.uk arpanet: alistair@minster.york.ac.uk internet: alistair%minster.york.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk usenet: ukc!minster!alistair phone: +44 904 432775 fax: +44 904 432767
THATCH@YKTVMX.bitnet (Jim Thatcher) (10/13/90)
Index Number: 11110 Replying to Alistair Edwards' comments on article <14538@bunker.UUCP> Glen.Nielson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org. Yes IBM (my group) continues to work on the graphical user interface, and yes it is a very difficult problem, and yes $50,000 is *far* to low a figure for developing a screen reader for X-Windows. The good news is that I remain optimistic. The way IBM's Screen Reader 1.1 deals with menus and pulldowns under DOS was not easy either, but is successful. It can and will be done for the graphical user interface, and when it is done, I continue to predict that (at least with IBM Screen Reader!) the blind user will reap the same benefits from the graphical user interface as the sighted user. Optimistically, Jim Thatcher (914-945-2193)
David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (10/31/90)
Index Number: 11409
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
To alistair@minster.york.ac.uk (Alistair Edwards)
AE> I am sorry to perhaps be depressing, but I am not so optimistic
AE> - and I think I am in a good position to know; this has been
AE> the main topic of my research for the past five years. The
AE> reason that 'an accessible version of XWINDOWS' - or any (most)
AE> other graphical user interfaces (GUIs) has not been developed
AE> is that it is a VERY hard problem. Many people are aware of it,
AE> few people have any idea how to solve it and even fewer are
AE> working on it. Berkeley Systems Inc have made a valiant try to
AE> adapt the Macintosh and IBM are working along very similar
AE> lines at the moment - oh, yes and I and some colleagues are
AE> addressing it too, but we are all a long way from a practical
AE> solution - and it will take MUCH more than $50,000. I already
AE> have a research grant of around $100,000 and my work will only
AE> scratch the surface.
At the recent Closing the Gap conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, IBM
announced that it would be releasing the information necessary for speech
developers to access their OS/2 Presentation Manager. They also indicated that
they might be interested in working with others indeveloping standard ways to
access it and windows via speech for all to use.
David Andrews
... Your Sound Alternative
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