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Date:         Tue, 15 Dec 1992 01:30:04 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3066

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3066

                         Tuesday, December 15, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Re: Fax/modem
         Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) Newsletter
                    Electronic Access to Library Systems
                       Money-grubbing American doctors


                                ******


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------



Subject: Re: Fax/modem
From: tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA

In article <26708@handicap.news> 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
 writes:
>In article <26221@handicap.news>, Trained.Bear@f203.n161.z1.fidonet.org
>(Trained
>Bear) says:
>>...
>>Or maybe a software/configuration option to echo all incoming FAXes
>>directly to your printer?
>
>The QuickLink II fax software will do this.

yeah, it will... if it works.  the QuickLink Fax Manager INIT has
a tendency to crash my computer.  also, you have to take it out
of the system folder if you want to use the modem to connect to
another computer.  otherwise, random characters will get lost
in the transmission.  [The QuickLink Fax Manager INIT must be
installed in order to send or receive faxes.  So, whenever i'm
going to be using the fax, i put the INIT in the system folder.  at
all other times, i take it out.  it's a pain.]

find another program if you can, unless they've come out with
a more stable and reliable version.  on the positive side, it
has a lot of nice features.

-teddy
p.s. the above comments apply to macintosh, by the way.




------



Subject: Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) Newsletter
From: nff2355@dsac.dla.mil (Dale Pennington)

[Note from Bill McGarry: This was forwarded from the Disability
 Research mailing list by Patt Bromberger]

Questions about this newsltter should be
address to: nff2355@dsac.dla.mil (Dale A Pennington)

    Cover letter



    Dear Colleague:

    The Department of Defense (DoD) Computer/Electronic
    Accommodations Program (CAP) was established to assist DoD
    employees, supervisors and managers in meeting accessibility
    requirements throughout the Department.  In an effort to
    ensure awareness of our responsibility to employees with
    disabilities, the CAP Program Office disseminates
    information regarding technology and related issues
    supporting individuals with disabilities.  Attached is a
    copy of the CAP News Bulletin for your interest.  This News
    Bulletin is also available on disk or in Braille upon
    request.

    This News Bulletin represents the first in a series of
    releases designed to inform the DoD community about the
    Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) and related
    disability management issues.  Look for these regular
    features in each issue of our News Bulletin:

    SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    Highlights special activities throughout the DoD which
    relate to the CAP program and disability related issues.

    CAP STATUS:
    Provides current data on accommodations provided through the
    CAP office and program related information.

    FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
    Provides information on providing accommodations, technology
    developments, other subjects of interest.

    CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
    Provides a calendar of events which you may be interested in
    attending.  Points of contact for more information are noted
    in this section also.

    It is anticipated that bulletins will be released
    periodically.  If you have suggestions, comments or
    questions, please contact the CAP office, 703D756D8811
    (voice/TDD).


                     Dinah F.B. Cohen

                     Program Director

                     Computer/Electronic
                     Accommodations Program


=======================================================================


          CAP, Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program

                         DATE:  June, 1992

For More Information Call:  703-756-8811


This News Bulletin is also available on disk or in Braille upon
request.


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) is expanding
eligibility for interpreter and reader services to support job-related
training and professional conference attendance.  For a limited time,
financial assistance is available for interpreter and reader services
for job- related training and conferences which are three (3) days or
longer.  CAP financial resources had previously been available only
for training and conferences lasting five days or longer.  This
revised policy will be in affect through September 30, 1992.  REQUESTS
FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MUST BE SUBMITTED THIRTY DAYS IN ADVANCE TO
SECURE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.  [NOTE: When requesting CAP financial
support for interpreter or reader services, please determine if the
organization sponsoring the conference is providing interpreters and
reader services prior to requesting assistance from the CAP Program
Office.]

In May, the National Security Agency (NSA) opened a center to support
DoD employees with disabilities.  NSA's Center for Computer Assistive
Technology (CCAT) provides demonstration capability, technical
assistance and training for computer, telecommunications, and office
equipment supporting a fully accessible work place.  The CCAT is
located in Lithicum, Maryland and is open to all DoD employees.
Appointments are required, 301D859D6164.


CAP STATUS:

In FY91, the CAP office filled over 850 requests for accommodations.
In the first half of FY92, the CAP office has already provided over
500 accommodations.  Accommodations have been distributed throughout
the DoD as follows:

103 for Army, 192 for Navy, 72 for Air Force and 158 for DoD Agencies.
These include 236 accommodations for employees with hearing
impairments, 246 accommodations for employees with visual impairments,
and 43 accommodations for employees with dexterity impairments.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

For employees with disabilities and their supervisors, determining
appropriate accommodations can be a challenge.  To simplify this
process we recommend the following approach for conducting a needs
assessment.  This approach can be modified to meet the individual
needs and constraints of your environment.

1 .  Conduct Job Analysis D Review current job descriptions,
    conduct an interview with the employee regarding job
    requirements, and observe the work as it is accomplished to
    identify essential functions of the position.  Essential
    functions are the key elements of the position which must be
    achieved by the individual with or without an accommodation.

2.   Identify Skills Required D Identify the requisite
    skills for each essential functional requirement.  These
    include physical requirements (carrying, reaching, climbing,
    seeing, speaking, etc.) and cognitive requirements (problem
    solving, math, reading, reasoning, etc.).

3.   Determine Functional Characteristics D Identify the
    functional characteristics of the employee.  The emphasis is
    not on the type of disability, but on the specific
    capabilities and functional limitations of the individual.
    It is important to recognize that individuals with
    disabilities have different capabilities and varying degrees
    of disabling conditions.  For example, just because an
    individual is blind, does not mean that a Braille printer is
    needed D many blind individuals do not read Braille.

4.   Evaluate Methods and Processes D Identify current and
    proposed alternative approaches for accomplishing the
    essential functional requirements of the position.  In many
    cases there is more than one way to accomplish assigned
    tasks.  All options should be explored during this process.
    Often a process can be changed which will enable the
    employee to achieve the desired results without incurring
    additional costs.

5.   Identify Areas Requiring Accommodation D Compare the
    essential functional requirements and the associated skills,
    methods and processes with the functional characteristics of
    the individual employee.  This will clarify areas of the
    position which require some type of accommodation.

6.   Identify and Evaluate Alternatives D Work closely with
    the employee to explore all alternatives before selecting
    the solution that will work in an individual situation.
    Different individual situations require different solutions
    from restructuring of the job to physical changes in the
    work environment to providing communication tools
    (interpreters, TDDs, etc.) or other assistive devices.

7.   Execute the Selected Alternative(s) D Affect the
    change(s) which will accommodate the individual with a
    disability.  In those cases where communication enhancements
    and computer assistive devices are required, CAP is here to
    assist you and your activity to obtain appropriate
    accommodations and associated training.

When completing a needs assessment, it is important to involve the
right team of individuals.  The employee with the disability and their
supervisor should always be involved.  As appropriate, the personnel
office, ADP personnel, procurement personnel, facilities management
personnel and external resources should also be included in the
process.

External sources that may provide assistance in this process include
the following:

         Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program Office
         [703D756D8811 (Voice/TDD)];

         General Service Administration's Clearinghouse on
         Computer Accommodations (COCA)  [202D501D4906
         (voice), 202D501D2010 (TDD)];

         Job Accommodations Network (JAN) [1D800-DIALJAN];

         Private Service Providers/Contractors;

         State and Local Rehabilitation Centers; and

         Veterans Administration Information Technology
         Center (ITC) [202D535D8922]


For additional information on conducting a needs assessment, you may
also wish to obtain the following materials:


         "Handbook of Job Analysis for Reasonable
         Accommodations", Personnel Management Series
         720DB;

         "Managing Information Resources for
         Accessibility", General Services Administration,
         Clearinghouse on Computer Accommodations (COCA);

         "Ready, Willing, and Available", The President's
         Committee on Employment of People with
         Disabilities [202D653D5044 (voice), 202D653D5050
         (TDD)]; and

         "The Workplace Workbook", by James Mueller, RESNA
         [202D857D1199].


CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

    Conferences/Meetings:

    June 29 D July 4:  National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
         Conference, Denver, CO.  For more information contact
         Jerome R. Moers, 303D988D8832 (TDD).

    June 29 - July 4:  National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
         Conference, Charlotte, NC.  For more information call
         410D659D9314.

    July 4 D 11:  American Council of the Blind (ACB)
         Convention, Phoenix, AZ.  For more information call
         202D467D5081.

    July 21:  DoD Forum at the Federally Employed Women (FEW)
         Conference, Cincinnati, OH.  For more information
         contact June Hajjar, 703D607D1978.

    Oct. 1 - 2:  AACT V Conference, U.S. Department of Commerce
         Washington, D.C.  For more information contact Alexis
         Malcolm, 202D523D0913, or Zoe McDonald, 202D377D3201.

    Oct. 29 D Nov. 2:  Access Expo, Washington, DC.  For more
         information contact Art Kerley, 203D775D0422.

    Dec. 9 - 11:  Perspectives on Employment of Persons with
         Disabilities, Bethesda, MD.  For more information
         contact Isabelle Howes, 202D382D8502.


CAP Personnel Site Visits:

    Aug. 18 - 19:  Navy Office of Civilian Personnel
         Management/SE, Norfolk, VA

    Sept. 14:  Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Puget sound, WA


              CAP OFFICE
              DEFENSE MEDICAL SYSTEMS SUPPORT CENTER
              5109 LEESBURG PIKE, SUITE 502
              FALLS CHURCH, VA  22041-3201




------



Subject: Electronic Access to Library Systems
From: NRCGSH@RITVAX.BITNET (Norman Coombs)

[Note from Bill McGarry: Forwarded from the PACS-L mailing list
 by Bill McGarry]

+ Page 43 +

+---------------------------------------------------------------------
| Coombs, Norman.  "Electronic Access to Library Systems For Users
| with Physical Disabilities."  Public-Access Computer Systems
| Review 1, no. 1 (1990): 43-47.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------


Introduction

Electronic access to catalogs, reference materials, books
and other library holdings create a new set of problems and
possibilities for the contemporary library.  Computer retrieval
of information can enhance library efforts to increase equal
access for persons with physical disabilities.  With appropriate
hardware and software, patrons with visual limitations can be
provided with the means to use libraries as never before.  This
same technology may also assist people with some forms of
dyslexia for whom reading the printed page is a difficulty.
Others who have motor problems which prevent their using a
traditional book may be able to use other computer adaptive
devices to access library facilities.  Congress has recently
taken an interest in encouraging public institutions to provide
more equal access to computers and electronic information, and
future federal funding may become tied to its provision.


New Service Opportunities

Before looking at some of the problems, we should be aware
of the new opportunities to reach previously unserved segments of
the public.

Persons with severe visual impairments could not use
libraries or could only do so with considerable personal
difficulty and inconvenience.  Even when bringing a
reader into the library, there often was not a suitable place to
read aloud without causing a disturbance and embarrassment.
Mobility-impaired users often found getting to and getting into
the library was a hardship, when it was possible at all.  Persons
unable to handle a book had no real way to make use of library
facilities either.  In many cases, these are the very people who
can become productive citizens and lead meaningful lives through
the use of the mind rather than in physical activities.  Yet, the
library facilities which they needed to help open these doors into
a broader life were either closed to them or very difficult to use.

+ Page 44 +

The new generation of adaptive devices and the growing use of
electronically stored data is an exciting innovation for such
persons.  While libraries and service providers are still in the
early stages of developing these systems, it is vital to keep
this segment of the population in mind.  Access systems can be
designed in such a way as to continue to shut out the disabled
or, with a little care and effort in the planning stage, can take
their special needs into account without necessarily impacting
total system costs very much.  Making modifications later will
prove to be harder and more costly.

Perhaps a personal story will help to underline the
opportunities which lay open before us.  I am a blind history
professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  A couple of
years ago, the college library catalog became available on-line.
I phoned in with my PC and speech synthesizer.  The first thing I
searched was for my own book.  It had been in print for some
fifteen years, but I had never had the joy of "seeing" it listed
in the catalog of a real library.  I searched for my name under
the author category, and I must confess to both pride and
excitement when the computer "read" the listing to me.  Not long
after that, I carried my speech synthesizer and software to the
library, connected it to the PC, did a literature search on a
ERIC CD-ROM, and dumped the results to a file which I could
later read at my PC keyboard at home.  My story is not unique but
demonstrates what tomorrow's library can do to empower the
physically disabled.


Strategies for Providing Services to Disabled Users

There are two separate ways in which libraries may choose to
approach providing these services.  Most libraries
will want to provide both types of access.

One method is for the library to connect the necessary
adaptive hardware to some of its computers and to
have the appropriate software available to operate it.
The library would have to be sure that the adaptive
facilities interfaced with their computers and the software.
This would also require having a staff person acquainted
with the functioning of that adaptive hardware and software who
could instruct patrons on their use.

+ Page 45 +

The alternative method would be for the library to
make these electronic facilities available on-line for
any patron using a PC and modem to remotely access.
In this case, the handicapped person would be
responsible for having his or her own PC and adaptive devices.
However, as a service provider, the library would want
to provide advice to such users on what equipment would be most
useful in accessing the system and also to give guidance in the
use of the library's remote facility.  For remote access,
librarians could not be expected to be familiar with the variety
of equipment that users might happen to own, but the librarian
could be a resource person to direct the handicapped users to
find knowledgeable technical assistance.


Challenges That Libraries Face

Every computer user knows that the most persistent and
annoying problem in using computers is the whole question of
interfacing and compatibility.  There are a variety of different
systems to meet library needs.  Likewise there are many different
adaptive technologies for differing disabilities and several
hardware and software packages for each of these.  Unfortunately,
there seems to be no simple, universal prescription to offer as
the ideal choice.  As always, it is helpful to observe various
configurations in actual operation before making any purchase.
Further, when the library does provide an in-house system for a
disabled user, the user probably will not be familiar with its
functioning.  Even if that patron is accustomed to an adaptive
system, it may well be different from the one the library has
chosen.  For that reason, the library will need to have a trained
staff member to facilitate its first-time use by any patron.  As
mentioned above, this person would also need some familiarity
with the problems faced by remote-access users with disabilities
and be able to direct such individuals to technical help when
needed.

+ Page 46 +

Helpful Resources

Considering how quickly computer technology is changing,
providing a bibliography to guide the librarian in making the
relevant software and hardware decisions seems useless.
However, looking at a few books in the field would help to
alert readers to the scope of the issues involved, and I suggest
three books edited by Brandenburg and Vanderheiden (1987).
Perhaps what is more valuable is to give the name of an organization
which actively keeps abreast of changes related to computer access for
the disabled.  The Trace Research & Development Center located at the
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison is dedicated
to this purpose, and it is an ideal resource.


Conclusion

The good news for the librarian is that providing more equal
access for the physically disabled will require more in care and
thought than it will demand in vast investments.  The
satisfaction of serving an audience whose needs have been
neglected will be well worth the effort.

+ Page 47 +

References

Sara A. Brandenburg and Gregg C. Vanderheiden, ed., Communication,
Control, and Computer Access for Disabled and Elderly Individuals.
Resource Book 1: Communication Aids (Boston: College-Hill Press,
1987).

Sara A. Brandenburg and Gregg C. Vanderheiden, ed., Communication,
Control, and Computer Access for Disabled and Elderly Individuals.
Resource Book 2: Switches and Environmental Controls
(Boston: College-Hill Press, 1987).

Sara A. Brandenburg and Gregg C. Vanderheiden, ed., Communication,
Control, and Computer Access for Disabled and Elderly Individuals.
Resource Book 3: Software and Hardware (Boston: College-Hill Press,
1987).


About the Author:

Norman Coombs, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Rochester Institute of Technology
One Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester NY. 14623
NRCGSH@RITVAX.BITNET

+---------------------------------------------------------------------
| The Public-Access Computer Systems Review is an electronic
| journal.  It is sent to participants of the Public-Access Computer
| Systems Forum, a computer conference on BITNET.  To join the
| PACS Forum, send an electronic mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1
| that says: SUBSCRIBE PACS-L Your Name.  (Put your first and last
| name where it says "Your Name.")
|
| Copyright (C) 1990 by the University Libraries, University of
| Houston.  All Rights Reserved.  Copying is permitted for
| noncommercial use by computerized bulletin board/conference
| systems, individual scholars, and libraries.  This message must
| appear on copied material.  All commercial use requires
| permission.
+ --------------------------------------------------------------------






------



Subject: Money-grubbing American doctors
From: an1223@anon.penet.fi (Joe Schmukytelli)
Organization: Anonymous contact service

Well, I just got the ol' shafteroo from  my eye doc of many years.
He abruptly retired. No warning,  no notices mailed to patients,
nothing.  The guy who was supposed to  be taking over  his practice
left the  state so quickly  that the hospital where  he was on  the
staff  still doesn't know  he is gone.  His sec claimed they put
"an ad in the paper". What the hell good is THAT?

I have multiple  handicaps, one of which is glaucoma.  I need
regular pressure monitoring and  medication. I have insurance,  but
the asshole they  wanted to transfer  my records  to is  a
"non-participating" doctor  - translation:  he charges far above
what the insurance companies will permit, so I have to cough up all
HIS money in advance, then get  back what I can from insurance. Do
they submit claims?  F**k, no! So what  do I look  like, a bank? I
carry insurance (and lucky to get it) to PAY this sort  of thing
because I CAN'T. What do I do now, resort to non-standard
therapies? Steal? Go blind? Eat shit and die?

This is just another  example of the medical system we have here
in the USA - it is  in reality nothing more  than a
revenue-enhancement system  for doctors and screw the patients. One
more legacy  from George Bush and his band of rich Republicans.
Now,  instead of taking care  of people here, King  George has us
well on  the way to another  foreign military escapade disguised
as a "relief effort" in Somalia.

Will Clinton be any better? Hold your breath waiting and see!

Geez, do I sound bitter?

Too right!


------

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------






                                ******

                  End of Issue # 3066 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU