Pat.Goltz@f3.n300.z1.fidonet.org (Pat Goltz) (02/12/90)
Index Number: 6650
I was very gladdened by your message concerning the two signing computer
operators who could load tapes much faster by signaling each other in a
noisy environment, and turned what COULD have been a detriment into an
asset in their job.
It occurs to me that this is often true. People COULD turn the ways in
which they overcome difficulties into such an asset. All too often,
people don't think along these lines, preferring to limit themselves to
learning to do a thing as well as a "normal" person. I would like to
start a thread of messages in which we talk about how the various coping
skills that the people here have developed MIGHT be applied to make
themselves MORE of an asset in a given job or activity than a person who
does not have the same limitation and has not developed the same way of
dealing with it.
On a second, related thread. I would like to see people discuss just
exactly how we might redesign architecture so that it works for people
with limitations and actually makes the architecture MORE desirable for
people without the same limitations.
I will start that one by noting that I once read in an architecture
magazine that a person who was designing an art museum for the blind put
different-textured doorknobs on all the doors, in order to give them
something extra to enjoy. I thought that was such a good idea that I
intend to incorporate it into my house. A sighted person who is sensitive
to art can also enjoy the doorknobs. They feel different, and they look
different.
Pat
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Internet: Pat.Goltz@f3.n300.z1.fidonet.orgAnn.Stalnaker@f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (02/13/90)
Index Number: 6727
Pat, pardon my intrustion here but I'd like to share with you something
I was able to implement while operating a fax machine. When I was
employed with AT&T, we often faxed work orders, equipment orders, etc.
from office to office within the USA. Being hearing impaired, I couldn't
hear the beep or busy signal, so I thought..."Wonder if a TDD could
detect the beeps or the busy signal?" Sure enough...it could! So,
in order to fax messages or info, I would just take my TDD from my
desk up to the Fax machine and hook the Fax phone to it. Worked wonders!
So often we may not be able to do things one way but there's always
another way around it to get the job done.
None of us should give up because we may not be able to do certain
things the way others do. I've tried to tell others that nothing is
impossible. Right, folks?
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Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org