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Thanks for the Help!
I “met” some pretty special people recently, and want to share this experience with the rest of the world.
I was challenged with getting my web site (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/) up to the standards of Section 508.
In 1998, Congress amended Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to require that the federal government’s electronic and information technology (EIT) —including all federal agency web pages — be accessible to persons with disabilities.
A final rule to develop access standards was published in December 2000. The deadline for getting my site up to “snuff” was June 21, 2001.
Never known to be one to accept change gracefully and without some type of upheaval, I wallowed in a sense of panic for a couple of weeks prior to the deadline of June 21, 2001.
I was fairly comfortable with all of the requirements of Section 508, except for the screen readers used by the blind.
Being true to myself, on June 21, the deadline, I began a concerted effort to assure the web site met the accessibility standard and that our information was available to everyone.
I began exploring ways to achieve my goal. Can you believe someone had to suggest to me, a webmaster, to look on the Internet? True!
Then, my faith in humanity was restored, and I met Sheri Keller, executive director of the Missouri Council of the Blind. Sheri then forwarded my inquiry to Dennis Miller.
Both of these beautiful people are blind, and freely offered their assistance to help me test my web pages as they are updated and posted to the server.
I cannot adequately express my thanks in type.
Thanks, not just for assisting me in my development of accessible web pages, but for making this world a better place by your presence, and for your patience waiting for the rest of “us” to wake up!
Hats off to you both!
— Nonna A. Ross, USDA, Rural Development, Columbia, Mo.
The UEBC, and More Braille Contractions?
Wow! You’ve done it again! Congratulations and kudos to you for both the position taken by ACB in opposing the UEBC and for the very well-written article by Chris Gray (July 2001) on BANA’s struggles around UEBC issues.
While we’re on the subject of the braille code, it is alive. And as with all living things, it must evolve. Otherwise, it will become just a dead language.
Now, who’s with me, for a few more braille contractions (such as dots 4-5-6 t for “trans”)?
— George Griller, Faribault, Minn.
Regarding “View from the Top”
I’d first like to commend the staff of the “Forum” for publishing and distributing such a fine publication. I read the magazine from cover to cover each month. (I receive the magazine in braille.)
I would like to comment on an article in the July issue of the “Forum.” It was entitled “Does a View from the Top of the World Promise a Better View of Blindness?” by Rebecca Kragnes. I completely agree with all the ideas and feelings expressed in the article. Although Erik Weihenmayer is to be congratulated for his climb to Mount Everest, I also believe that there was too much of an attempt to sensationalize him. People shoved him in my face everywhere I went. I often feel as though people are saying to me, “If people can climb Mount Everest who are blind, then there really aren’t any problems in being blind anymore.” I am tired and saddened by people who use examples such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and now Erik Weihenmayer in order to make everyone feel better about being blind. I’m sure that many sighted people who compare us to these super achievers wouldn’t want to be blind themselves.
It is degrading to compare members of any minority to those individuals in the group who may possess a special talent. While people who possess a special talent and are part of a minority group are to be commended, they don’t always have a major impact on the everyday person who may just be struggling to survive. Each of us individually has his or her mountains to climb. The fact that someone in a particular group has succeeded doesn’t mean that all problems have come to an end. We may have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.
We need to respect each other as individuals. Also, we need to understand that everyone doesn’t have the same interests, talents or abilities. Everyone shouldn’t have to climb a high mountain, perform in show business, or achieve in some other special way in order to be recognized. Also, just because one of us succeeds doesn’t mean that the prejudice and discrimination go away automatically.
I’m sure that I have ruffled some feathers, stirred up a hornet’s nest, and even opened a can of worms. I would like for more people to value and accept each other for even small accomplishments. (For some people, living alone is a major accomplishment.) I hope that this letter will be published in a future issue of “The Braille Forum.” Thank you for publishing such a fine magazine, and for your consideration of this letter.
— Ethel Siegel, Philadelphia, Pa.