Thread Subject: Basic questions

From: Jim Tobias
Date: Wed, Nov 15 2006 4:55 AM

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Hi All,

Please forgive me, but I feel that we're trying to make progress by small
adjustments to the Standards but missing the larger picture. Here are the
kinds of products I think we're trying to address:

1. appliance-type ICT, like calculators
2. peripherals like printers that don't typically have their own user
interface
3. public transaction terminals where the content or transaction is not
sensitive, such as a specially-configured PC used for access to a library's
electronic catalog
4. public transaction terminals where the content or transaction is
sensitive, such as voting machine

Am I missing any product sub-categories here?

Let me propose a straw man.

For #1, grant an exception because suitable alternative appliances are
available. That is, don't require an agency to purchase only talking
calculators because it's burdensome and because talking calculators are
available.

For #2, require that all functions be able to be performed from a
workstation (a particular user's workstation or one connected to the
peripheral). This means that my screen-reader-equipped computer can operate
the printer/copier remotely, because all functions (including status readout
like empty paper trays) are exposed. This would be a significant step
forward, and appears to be fully feasible.

For #3, require the terminal to (a) support all accessibility features
native to the operating system the terminal uses and (b) provide either
permanently installed assistive technology functionality, or the use of a
temporary installation of assistive technology. This means in (a) that the
terminal basically running an operating system must permit users to access
the OS features. In (b) it means the device must have been configured with
AT (e.g. built-in screen reader) or permit temporary AT (e.g. screen reader
on a flash drive, NCITS V2 network download of an alternate interface, EZ
Access).

For #4, to what extent can we use the voting machine standards the way we're
using WCAG and ISO for web and software? A lot of work has gone into them,
and if certain sections can be adopted or adapted, why not do so?

***********
Jim Tobias
Inclusive Technologies
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skype jimtobias
www.inclusive.com

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