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From: Gary.M..Hite@p88.f101.n270.z1.fidonet.org (Gary M. Hite)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Adaptive Firmware, Etc.
Message-ID: <19237@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 9 May 91 13:18:05 GMT
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Index Number: 15448

Greetings all.  I've just picked up this echo recently and I'd like
to introduce myself.  Although I do not have a diagnosed physical
disability, my personal commitment to working with persons with
disabilities has long been an official policy of my company.  This
is due to the fact that I am a very grateful recovering
alcoholic/addict and the fact that I am a person who was diagnosed
HTLV-III+ in the early 80's.

Because of other interests in blood research (i.e., heptatitis B
vaccine), it was determined that I have been, what is now called
HIV+ for over 13 years ... and, gratefully, to the amazement of my
doctor, have not ever developed any physical symptoms.  So, you
might ask, what does all this have to do with the Disabled Users
Information Exchange.

Quite simply, I need your help.  At the request of several
individual clients, I've been asked to research the market to get
information about products and add-ons that can be used to develop
assisted utilization of computers ... specialized mouth pieces,
braille printers, speech boxes, etc.  And, while I have my own
computer company <sales, consulting, etc.> I need you to know that
these requests are not for profit ... several clients (blind, CP,
Alzheimer's, etc.) are in need of this information so that we can
develop some programs here in the Central PA area for the benefit
of all disabled persons.

In addition, the vast majority of my company's clients are
non-profit human services agencies like Pennsylvania Easter Seal
Society, Tri-County Easter Seals, Pennsylvania Association for the
Blind/Tri-County Branch, United Way of the Capital Region, The
Second Mile, United Cerebral Palsy, etc., etc.

Like I said before, while I do not have a dibilitating (sp)
physical disability, I too fight my own battles with social
stigmas, ignorance and misinformation.  My client roster and the
services and products we volunteer are our way to demonstrate our
commitment to people of all types, kinds and abilities that face
challenges each day.  I ask that you not be offended by my request
... and, I pledge to you that any information you provide about
products, services ... the preferred and the ones to stay away from
... will be used to help others ... maybe even by the creation of a
non-profit organization to provide nationwide 1-800 number access
to the information and referral.

If I am out of line, please let me know ... I suspect, however,
that I'll get to know many of you in the development of our plans
and that your input will be greatly appreciated by those who are
just now facing diagnosis without sufficient resources to assist
their rehabilitative efforts ... what technology do you use?  What
have you found helpful?  What disability does the adaptive firmware
help to minimize?  Etc.

BTW, I'd like to share with you a bumper sticker that my company
has copyrighted ... we have yet to figure out how we'll market it
... but I think you'll like the impact ... it was created while I
was working and training a lady with CP ... a client, turned
friend, turned partner ... it happened while my partner and I had
driven our friend to see the Bill of Rights and then to an area
Christmas shopping event ... where I experienced first hand the
harsh reality every person in a wheelchair faces each day ...

The bumper sticker ...          IS IGNORANCE YOUR HANDICAP?

Watch for it ... if you'd like to receive one, drop me a message
and I'll be glad to get one out to you when the printing is
completed ... which is supposed to be this summer!

Thanks for your input, for your courage.  If there is anything you
feel I can do to help, please ask!

--
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Internet: Gary.M..Hite@p88.f101.n270.z1.fidonet.org