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From: gdk@ssi.uucp (Gary D. Kline)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Computing for the handicapped.
Message-ID: <14661@handicap.news>
Date: 10 Apr 91 05:14:49 GMT
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Reply-To: gdk@ssi.uucp (Gary D. Kline)
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Index Number: 14661

mjt@acd4.acd.com (Mark Teegarde) writes:
> 
> I am not sure if you could make any suggestions, but since
> matt@cs.wisc.edu (Matt Schaefer) posted the note about the Johns
> Hopkins contest, I am curious about this.
> 
> 1. What are the needs of the handicapped who use computers?

	The needs would depend upon the nature of the handicap;
	could be rather insignificant, or major.  In most cases
	the needs are easily met.
> 
> 2. Who are the handicapped people who use computers? How are they
> handicapped? What are their disabilities that make it harder to use
> computers? 

	In Berkeley when I first was hooked by computers, there was a
	one-year intensive course that taught BASIC and COBOL.  I saw
	every flavor of physical disability under the sun.  At UC, 
	the few students I knew of in CS, most were mobility-
	disabled--spinal cord injuries.  Some, like myself, had 
	mutliple disabilities.  Everyone I knew was highly movitated,
	though, and this was as great an asset as the handicap was a
	liability.
> 
> 3. Just for us people who are ignorant of disabilities in general,
> what kinds of things can my company do to make it easier for a
> handicapped person to work here. 

	Hmm.  I'd say that the greatest help on the part of the able-
	bodied would be patience.  The most common obstacles I've run
	into are people who haven't an extra minute to invest when it
	involves establishing a sound work-relationship.  If you are
	going to be working with a disabled man, take the time to
	get acquainted with him.  

> Sure we have low-incline ramps where
> necessary, rails in the restrooms and an elevator to get to the second
> floor, but that is only enough to satisfy state regs for a new
> building. What else is necessary to make work-life livable?

	Assuming the above, what makes work-live viable for the 
	disabled in the same as for the able-bodied.  An enjoyable
	work environment;  friendships, everyday respect.    I've had
	experiences where, since my speech is impaired, people at work
	have assumed that my intelligence was similarly impaired.   This
	is common outside of work, but at work, especially in a 
	technological industry,  peoples' attitudes have surprised me.
	Human nature?  Who knows?

	--Gary Kline

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