Lilith,

I'm sure we all agree that if done right the first time, it need not be done again.

The question remains as to what would be right.

JSeal,
I was referring to OldFart's point about that group of consumers needing more help. As someone who works with people in that group, I appreciated him taking that into account. My appreciation is not something that is up for debate.

Lilith,

That's great! It was while designing a wheelchair standards management app that I became aware of, and was able to begin addressing, some of my prejudices about the handicapped.

Please accept my apologies, I didn't appreciate that I was debating your appreciation.

I'm glad you have had experiences that have broadened your horizons and allowed you to grow in perspective.

Lilith,

That's why I'm as excited (perhaps overly so) about these developments! This is a real enabling technology. Just think of the freedom this offers the blind/vision imparied. A real reduction in their dependency upon others. Fewer people excluded from common life. If only more people people appreciated how average the hadicapped are, there'd be fewer paternalistic "we've decided what's best for you" attitudes expressed.

Ah well, it takes time to turn people around.

While I could not agree with you more about the typical everyday ability levels of many persons with various handicaps, if that was what you meant by them being "average" (I personally would argue that in many ways many people with handicaps are above "average"), I think automation is part of a solution and that the other aspects such as those mentioned by OldFart are another essential piece. While a talking keyboard is a great tool for my visually impaired students it is impractical if they still can't manage to navigate the maze through the parking lot, past the gate, up the walkways and ramps, into the portable, to use the thing.

Lilith,

Different experiences often give rise to different conclusions. I’ve worked with some handicappers who were and remain very easy to get along with – and also with some seriously intransigent and unaccommodating ones. One of the more colorful is now an aspiring politician! I definitely feel that they are as normal as you and I, just with some bits dysfunctional.

In re the maze your students face, I was under the impression that public school districts must comply with Title II of the ADA. Perhaps I’m misinterpreting, but I thought that applied to structural changes to eliminate barriers. While not required as a matter of course, I thought that they do have to be made if there is no other way to provide accessibility. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 might also apply. My last work in this area was almost six years ago, so I may not be current.

I fear that (re)integrating the disabled into society not only has been, is, but will continue to be a tough row to hoe for the foreseeable future.

Wow.

Steph,

Wow?

I dunno. I am surprised the debate went from people suggesting it would be easier/more economical/quicker to assist people with government-funded transit systems to saying 'I know some handicapped people and some are OK'.

Just my blunt way of summarizing, of course.

Steph,

Fair enough. I find the ways that threads change focus as people join and leave them to be part of the entertainment.

Entertainment?

Dancing girls?

Oldfart,

Yes sir, I do find Pixies entertaining. Members bring their unique personalities and diverse, global points of view; discuss different topics and issues which concern them. That’s one of the reasons I keep returning. I suspect that’s true for many members. I also post in the Smut Games forum on occasion.

Which forum is your favorite?

General chat, jseal.

It has a diversity the other forums only aspire to.

jseal,

Out on a limb here -- the 'Countdown' is your fave to the tune of 58,000?