RE: Scott's Hypothetical Intranet

In the real word, hypothetically sufficient training is seldom even the 
answer!

This discussion thread presumes that there was already someone in the 
office who (1) was blind, (2) using JAWS and MSIE, (3) not having any 
trouble.  This is already a "best case" scenario.

In my experience, 1&2&3 does not really happen.  Usually what happens is:
Some MIS person with no AT history hears about JAWS (or some other screen 
reader) and declares the problem solved.  Any difficulties from this point 
on pit MIS and management against the blind user and blame problems on lack 
of user competence.

If an objective competent outside expert examines the situation, they 
quickly find that maybe 1&2 is true, but upon close examination they learn 
that:
It turns out that the blind person using JAWS and MSIE who reports no 
problems is:  A) Actually a "super user" and is jumping through ridiculous 
hoops to make the system work (and doing things the average user -- blind 
or not -- should not be expected to do); or, B) Having plenty of 
difficulty, but not willing to admit and/or does not want to make waves.

I would love to hear of situation where 1&2&3 all proved to be true!

Just more rain on the parade.
-- Bruce

On Wednesday, October 27, 1999 9:03 AM, Wayne Crotts 
[SMTP:wcrotts@arches.uga.edu] wrote:
> pardon me, but I don't think anyone said one could learn JAWS and MSIE in
> one fell swoop.
>
> You are creating a straw doll and then congratulating yourself for 
smashing
> him up (forgive me for being so harsh here).
>
> Yes, computer support-wise, to leave out training for any 
approved/mandated
> software would be ludicrous.  (Yes, I know horrible anecdotes will pour
> forth saying this happens all the time.  However, my point is not saying
> that bad computer support or inaccessibility does or does not occur -- 
only
> that approved/mandated software does not equate to inaccessibility.)
> However, I don't find it unreasonable for a company to establish a 
JAWS/MSIE
> software combo as supported software and then provide training/support 
for
> any user who would need to use JAWS and MSIE.
>
> Once again, I realize there are exceptions to the rule, and there may be 
a
> legitimate need for the employee to use an alternative -- and we could
> discuss these hypotheticals all day and go round in circles.  Good 
policies
> incorporate exceptions to the rule.  From a computer support issue, it is
> much easier to provide support to the exceptions to the rule than to have 
a
> wide open standing policy where everything is allowed.
>
> Once again, I fear we are confusing matters by attempting to mandate the
> allocation of resources and not the outcome of the overall policy, which
> should be that an accessible environment be present.
>
> Wayne
>
> Wayne Crotts
> Information/Systems
> Institute on Human Development and Disability
> A University Affiliated Program
> The University of Georgia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org]On
> Be
>
> aloha, kynn!
>
> one cannot just sit down and quote learn JAWS unquote and MSIE in one 
fell
> swoop and expect to be proficient with both...

Received on Thursday, 28 October 1999 12:41:59 UTC