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From: Derryl.Killan@f36.n134.z1.fidonet.org (Derryl Killan)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: BBS'S FOR THE DISABLED
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Date: 28 Aug 90 01:00:29 GMT
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 This  is a response to a posting on the ABLED  network 
 originally  posted by Vixen with regards to a previous 
 posting on the same network. It serves admirably to 
 illustrate the similarities between two Bulletin Board 
 Services for the Disabled. The two being Disability 
 Information Services of Canada and Fidonet's ABLED echo. 
 
I feel that the problems and difficulties mentioned by Vixen 
 are similar to those experienced here on DISC. While we 
 have  700 or more users on this system, very few of these 
 users  post  messages probably for the same reasons that 
 Vixen  mentions  in her manuscript.  They are; fear of 
 ridicule, shyness,  and "I am not important enough to 
 bother anyone  with my  problems". 
 
When I joined DISC I expected a network of disabled but 
 caring individuals.  I was right on the disabled but the 
 caring part seems to be largely absent and what I perceive 
 is a network of egocentric or non caring people. This 
 attitude also portends to be fostered by management as 
 well, in my opinion.   
 
We as human beings have basic needs for survival and growth 
 and these needs must be met regardless of our health or 
 functioning in society.  But unless you and I can 
 communicate those needs to the world within this [DISC] 
 network we  will be isolated and disillusioned as to 
 whether or not  anyone in the network cares about you or 
 anyone else!   
 
What I perceive is a need for this system [DISC] to become  
 a  vehicle, a vehicle of celebration of life and joy as well
 as the realities of your every day life too.To do this 
 you  must participate and let the rest of us  know how we 
 can  support you or share your triumphs and joys.  I do 
 realize  that while this is a disabled users group there 
 are  triumphs to be shared in spite of disabilities.  This 
 is  happening on the ABLED network which is a free network 
 for the disabled in the US of A and Canada, and. it happens 
 with a healthy dose of dignity, concern, joy and sharing 
 with love to boot.  Having made this observation; - I fail 
 to see why we on DISC can not or will not emulate them and 
 be a  caring, supportive collective body of (dis)  ABLED 
 individuals and organizations with a common set of goals 
 and incentives. 
 
Also, Disability Information Services of Canada is in the 
 process of switching over to a new high speed computer with 
 new software and hardware.  The claim that it will be 
 easier to post on this system has been one rationale of the 
 new computer; - my thoughts are that it is not that 
 difficult to post on the present system and those who are 
 not posting now will not post in the future! Less than one 
 percent of the users post one hundred percent of the 
 messages and some of those users are staff members who are 
 paid to post messages into confereces! The primary function 
 at present for DISC  is an instant E-Mail service! 
  
The apathy in  Canada is incredible and the lack of Social 
 Support for the  Disabled is such that the alienation is 
 very much a real problem for the disabled communities in 
 Canada. The agencies which do exist to serve the disabled 
 merely  provide token services and are not very effective 
 in my  experience! 
 
I am a very disenchanted, disgusted Canadian. 
 
Derryl Killan 

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