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Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 02:00:14 EDT
Reply-To:     "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2953

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2953

                         Wednesday, October 07, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                           Rights of the disabled?
                                Wheel Chairs
                         Computers adjusting to ADA
                       Re: Jerry's Orphans Needs You!
                         Re: Permobil and Chair-man?
                            facial disfigurement
                          Computers adjusting to AD
                               HOME EMPLOYMENT
                             Speak with your ear
                    Re: HR 5450 To repeal ADA, any info?


                                ******


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Subject: Rights of the disabled?
From: Ted.Quick@f274.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Quick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/274 - Auto-Mania, Williamson NY


TI>I am considered disabled by the state,
TI>and now have a staff position at a University which receives funds from
TI>the state.  I have been being paid 2000-3000 below what I should be
TI>being paid for the last several years, and this year I have not received
TI>an increase even though everyone else I've talked to has.  I am beginning
TI>to think that I may be being treated unfairly because of my disability.
TI>   Does anyone know who I can talk to and what protection I may have,
TI>if any?  I also face the possibility of being laid off, since funds are
TI>short and I am the low man.  Am I protected in any way from being laid
TI>off?

Tim, you are definitely protected as of July 26, 1992 by the Americans
with Disabilities Act (or ADA). If any part of the University receives
funds from the Federal government (and I do mean ANY PART) you may also
be protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section
503 may not be applicable to a University, but the ADA is, provided that
there are more than 25 employees.
Your complaint would be based on the low pay, while the lay-off might
not be reversible unless it is based on your being rated or paid poorly
compared to the rest of the population at work. If you are, indeed, low
man on the totem pole, and that is the whole reason for laying you off,
you should include it in any complaint in hopes that it will help, but
don't expect too much from that facet.

For an ADA complaint call :
The Americans with Disabilities Act Office, U.S. Department of Justice,
P.O. Box 66118, Washington, D.C. 20035-6118
Telephone: Voice, 202-514-0301
           TDD, 202-514-0381

or: Job Accommodation Network, Telephone 800-526-7234
    Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Telephone 800-466-4232

To check about the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, call your local U.S.
Department of Labor and ask for the Employment Standards Administration,
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. They will route you to
the proper people.

A small warning, though. Neither type of complaint will be handled right
away. Both offices will take 6 months to send you a letter saying
they've received your complaint. Action on it will take at least another
6 months. If you don't win at that point, appeals can be made that take
about 11 months for a note saying they'll review it, and who knows how
long to resolve it. I speak from experience, having sufferred 5 years
medical discrimination at a major employer, and sent my complaint in 2
years ago. It's now on appeal. Only consolation is that when found
guilty the employer must re-instate you with full back pay, including
earlier underpayment. All you will need to do when you win is report
back for 1 day of work, get paid, and leave if you've found something
better while waiting. ADA may not be retroactive past July 26, 1992, but
503 will be.

Also check with your Pennsylvania Department of Labor, or whatever they
call it there. Some states have their own regulations, which may be more
effective or faster than Federal.

If nothing else, getting your employer to explain the situation to both
Federal and State agencies will give you a better feeling, and may force
them to check over their practices to avoid it happening again.

Good luck!

Ted Quick

 * OLX 2.1 TD * Haven't they heard about ADA?

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Subject: Wheel Chairs
From: Robert.Schoenfeld@f3.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Robert Schoenfeld)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/3 - Net2603 Echomail Co, Bay Ridge NY


Pandora :

Watch out for another defect of computer controlled wheel chairs,
They tend to misbehave when around two way radio devices such as
cellular phones, cbs, etc. they take off in the most unusual
directions

                                       Bob

PS too bad they dont have lemon laws for wheel chairs as a similar
problem was had by a friend of mine B

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Subject: Computers adjusting to ADA
From: Stu.Turk@p2.f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26.2 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA


 LK> From: lk1j+@andrew.cmu.edu (Lawrence Kim)

 LK> 'Kiosk' that would be accessible to those defined as disabled in the
 LK> American Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA) .
 LK>   My problem is that my background is strictly in Information
 LK> Systems with little exposure to Human Factors or Ergonomics.
 LK> Thus, I am not aware of the concerns of the Physically
 LK> challanged in terms of GUI, or plain-interfaces with a computer.
 LK>
 LK>    I would appreciate it greatly if someone, could direct me to
 LK> information concerning ADA and Computer Systems- Such as Interest
 LK> Groups, Hardware and Software Vendors, and guidelines.

   I think you have a bigger problem than you realize! :-)  How are
you going to build, let alone design, a kiosk that can change to
accommodate the needs of different disabilities. For starters, the
person with a cane or crutches needs a seat while a wheelie needs
the space to roll in.  The blind needs a speech synthesizer (and
maybe braille readout) while someone with a hearing loss may find
the noise from a synthesizer annoying.  Some people need the
keyboard at different heights; others need special keyboards.
   I wish you the best of luck, but I have trouble visualizing "one
kiosk fits all"!  :-)
   Just for the record, I am hearing and sight impaired. My only
needs would be a screen with good contrast that doesn't get any
reflections from light sources, and enough space so that my hearing
aid doesn't pick up sound feedback.

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Subject: Re: Jerry's Orphans Needs You!
From: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/554.0 - Analytical Engine B, Willoughby OH


 -=> Quoting Greg Macrae to All <=-

 GM> This is from Dianne B. Piastro's article, "How does MDA spend what
 GM> you give?", dated 8-26-91.  I will quote here without permission:
 GM>
 GM> I wanted to know about MDA's organization, programs, telethon
 GM> production costs, major contracts and professional fees.  My
 GM> questions are still unanswered.
 GM>
 GM> Thinking that some of the information might be on MDA's IRS Form
 GM> 990, which tax-exempt organizations must file each year by May 15,
 GM> unless they get an extension, I decided to try locating a copy.
 GM>
 GM> <paragraph about California requirements that each office must have
 GM> a copy of the 990 available for public inspection during office
 hours>
 GM>
 GM> <the local office had no copy, and National would not send one
 GM> until after the telethon>
 GM>
 GM> I then asked to see the 1989 forms, since they should be available
 GM> for three years in all offices.  [the local director] said the '89
 GM> forms are in storage, and she would call me when she can.  [She]
 GM> has still not made the forms available.
 GM>
 GM> <another person was similarly stonewalled in Chicago>
 GM>
 GM> I then learned directly from the IRS that MDA has not yet filed a
 GM> return for 1990.  Why didn't someone at MDA say so?
 GM>
 GM> The state attorney general's office did, however, have the 1989
 GM> forms.  I got a copy Aug. 16.  That weekend, I found that two
 GM> attached exhibits appeared to be incomplete and one was missing.
 GM>
 GM> When I called the attorney general's office on Mon., the Registrar
 GM> of Charitable Trusts confirmed that his office evidently wasn't
 GM> given the missing information, which they hadn't notice until now.
 GM>
 GM> The story continues in this vein.  The comments in <> are my
 GM> summary of the paragraph.  She was able to get some information,
 GM> but not a complete listing.  To my knowldge, the situation remains
 GM> basically unchanged.

    Hi Greg, I see she has run it to a bit of a problem getting the forms the
way she tried. But all she has to do is go to the source, IRS. If she isn't
sure how to contact them she can contact : The Foundation Center-Cleveland
                                           Kent H. Smith Library
                                           1442 Hanna Building
                                           1422 Euclid Ave
                                           Cleveland, OH 44115-2001
                                       Phone (216) 861-1933 or 861-1949

They can give her the request forms for IRS and the address and phone number
of the Dept. of IRS that she wants to contact.

                                                 Pandora

... What do you mean? You actually read this Tagline?!?

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Internet: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Permobil and Chair-man?
From: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/554.0 - Analytical Engine B, Willoughby OH


 -=> Quoting Gordon Gillesby to Pandora Nigh <=-

 GG> chairs.  While I still have some limited mobility, I'm going to need
 GG> one very soon -- at least for going anywhere out of my house.  I WAS
 GG> wondering just what kind of design could justify such a price tag!

    Hi Gordon, there are several things to consider when getting a power
vehicle. You say you have some mobility and need a vehicle for outside the
home. If you have good upper torso control then maybe a tri-cart would be
a better solution for you. There are several good tri-carts out there, like
the Sierra or Fortress, that will give you more terrain options than power
chairs.

 GG> Doesn't ANYBODY make a well-designed, reasonably priced electric
 GG> wheelchair that reflects some taste and comfort as well?  Or am I just
 GG> looking in all the wrong places?

     There are a lot of basic power chairs out there that don't cost a fortune.
I don't know what your disAbility is but my necessatated getting what is refered
to as a specialty chair. Unfortunately for me,Permobil is the only one that
makes a chair that has an electronicaly operated footrest and back as well as
being able to go 180 degrees flat. I need to move my leg postition and hips
often to prevent them from locking up and keep the edema down, but I can't do
it by myself manually, don't have the strength. By going 180 degrees flat I
can transfer out of bed by myself by rolling onto the chair, then having the
motorized chair back put me into a seated postition. Now if you don't need
options like that than you can save a heck of a lot of money and your Insurance
will help pay for the chair.
  Tricarts range from about $2500 - $4000. Power Chairs range from about $4,000
up. You can get some powerchairs with manual legrest and a manual back drop,but
again this will really add to the price.And if you don't need it why pay for it.
  Some of the things you need to consider when you start looking at chairs and
tri-carts; where am I going to go with this, How long at a time will I be
spending sitting in the seat ( if you have bad back muscles looking for some-
thing with good back support is a must), do I need as short a turning radius as
possible, how will I transport it if neccessary (can it fit into a car,or do you
 have to get a van and a lift), is there good local support and repair available
what type of control mechanism does it use and if you have a progressive
disorder, can alternate controls be easily added on.
  Does it have or allow the easy attachment of something to carry things, this
may not seem like a biggy, until you get a chair with an off the wall arm style
that you can't get any of the manufactured cup holders, saddle bags or such to
fit your chair and have to find someone to custom make something, and more than
likely you will need to cart around something with you. Also concerning arms and
height of the chair, can it fit up close to a table at a restraunt or desk.
Speaking about fitting, you also have to consider the doorways and crumy store
aisles that you have to maneuver around. With all this said, don't worry there
are alot of chairs out there that will fit your need. If you have a dealer near
you it's a good idea to go there and take a test ride on several different makes
and models.
   Good luck Gordon on getting your vehicle, if I can be of anymore help or
you have anyother questions drop my a line.
                                                Pandora

... All power corrupts, but we need electricity.

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Subject: facial disfigurement
From: Ed.Madara@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Ed Madara)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/140 - Black Bag BBS, Wilmington DE


For those people who are left with facial disorders or
disfigurement from cancer surgery, birth defects, accidents, burns,
and related illnesses/injuries, there's a fine national support and
information network called "Let's Face It".

They provide phone help, pen pals, support group meetings, hospital
and home visitations, and networking support.  Their annual
resource listing (available for only $1.00) describes well over a
hundred related support networks, resource organizations, and
helpful books (one example, "The No-Chew Cookbook" for persons who
have that inability).  They cover all disfigurement situations with
the one exception of those problems caused by plastic surgery
mishaps.

The founder of the organization, Betsy Wilson, a facial cancer
survivor herself, is now the chairperson of the National Council on
Self-Help and Public Health that was founded by former Surgeon
General Koop to promote a greater understanding and awareness of
self-help groups.

For more information on "Let's Face It", send a SASE to:

Let's Face It
P.O. Box 711
Concord, MA 01742

If you write, kindly mention how you learned of their work here.
- Ed at the American Self-Help Clearinghouse

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Subject: Computers adjusting to AD
From: Ted.Quick@f274.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Quick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/274 - Auto-Mania, Williamson NY


LK>  I am doing research into accessbility of the physically challanged
LK>at Carnegie Mellon Univ. The main issue is designing a computerized
LK>'Kiosk' that would be accessible to those defined as disabled in the
LK>American Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA) .
LK>  My problem is that my background is strictly in Information Systems
LK>with little exposure to Human Factors or Ergonomics. Thus, I am not
LK>aware of the concerns of the Physcially challanged in terms of GUI, or
LK>plain-interfaces with a computer.
LK>   I would appreciate it greatly if someone, could direct me to
LK>information concerning ADA and Computer Systems- Such as Intrest Groups,
LK>Hardware and Software Vendors, and guidlines.

Lawrence, you may find it helpful to contact the Job Accommodations
Network at 800-466-4232.

 * OLX 2.1 TD * Haven't they heard about ADA?

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Subject: HOME EMPLOYMENT
From: Susan.Blocker@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Susan Blocker)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/140 - Black Bag BBS, Wilmington DE


Hello everyone, my name is Susan Blocker and I'm the sysop of
Unique Connections BBS.  If you are Physically disABLED and are in
need of Home-Based Employment.  Call Unique Connections BBS and
download "JOB.ZIP" . If you live outside of New York City I'm
looking for Product Marketers who live through out the U.S..  If
your interested call (718) 527-5556.

Sincerely,
Sue

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Subject: Speak with your ear
From: Neil.Wallace@p21.f804.n800.z3.fidonet.org (Neil Wallace)
 TidBITS#140/31-Aug-92
From: TidBITS#140/31-Aug-92
Organization: FidoNet node 3:800/804.21


I found this article recently and thought it sounds good for those
with a disability to use when/if it becomes readily available in
the future.

Enjoy.

Norris Ear PHONE
----------------
  One of the most interesting technologies I saw at Macworld had
  little to do with the Mac. So why did this company come to
  Macworld? The technology enhances various communications
  applications, and lots of Macintosh companies are working on
  improving communications using the Mac.

  The product in question comes from Norris Communications, and they
  call it, appropriately enough, the Norris Ear PHONE[tm]. The Ear
  PHONE is this little item that you put in your ear, much as
  someone might wear a hearing aid or old radio earplug speakers.
  Unlike a hearing aid or radio speaker, the Norris Ear PHONE acts
  as both a speaker and a microphone. At the moment it uses a
  unidirectional microphone that works wonderfully, although I found
  it disconcerting to talk to someone on the phone without holding
  anything. (Norris kindly gave Mark Anbinder and me a private
  demonstration so we could try it.)

  As neat as the unidirectional model was, Norris has an even more
  theoretically impressive version in the works... the prototypes work on
  the principle of bone conduction. For those of you who aren't
  familiar with the principle, when you talk, you set up vibrations
  not only in the air surrounding you (causing the sound) but also
  in the tiny bones in your ear. Bone conduction microphones do not
  pick up any background noise, because that noise doesn't cause the
  bones in your ear to vibrate. You can also speak in a low voice,
  because all you have to vibrate are those bones, not the air
  around you.
..............
  The first model of the bone conduction microphone will hook to the
  phone via a cord, but Norris has a wireless 900 Hz spread spectrum
  model in the works as well, so eventually your phone won't hold
  you hostage at all. You may not have to slap your chest as do the
  actors in Star Trek: The Next Generation because Norris hopes to
  have the Ear PHONE be voice-activated, but one way or another,
  your personal connectedness will increase radically.
..............
  As far as applications of the Ear PHONE go, Norris showed some
  relatively simple ones and a few more impressive ones. Many of us
  keep our phone and address information on the Mac now, and some
  people even use their modems (or a little hardware device from
  Sophisticated Circuits) to dial the phone. Eventually Norris wants
  the Ear PHONE to work as both a telephone speaker and microphone
  and also as a voice command microphone for the Mac. Once we have
  Casper voice-recognition technology (about the same time we all
  have Cyclone Macs and a chicken in every pot), I could have the
  Mac dial the phone with a voice command, and without doing
  anything else, suddenly be talking to someone, all without
  fiddling with handsets and keypads and all that. I gather that
  Apple will also better integrate telephony into the Mac via the
  Comm Toolbox and OCE, so that applications will have an easier
  time working with telephone applications.
...............
  You can't buy the Ear PHONE just yet since Norris hasn't started
  full production runs, but they do have a Partner program that will
  provide you with an Ear PHONE, technical information from the
  company, and both phone and CompuServe tech support. It costs $99,
  and if you're interested, give Norris a call.
...............
  These real and humorous concerns aside, I have high hopes for the
  Ear PHONE. Norris has to make sure the voice quality of the bone
  conduction version equals the quality of the unidirectional
  version, and they also have to ensure that the price at least
  competes with traditional headsets. If Norris can meet those
  design goals, everyone will want an Ear PHONE. If not, it will go
  the way of other niche market electronic devices, including a few
  that have used bone conduction unsuccessfully even when you
  inserted the device deep in your ear. I think I'd rather have a
  Babel fish, but barring that, I'll take an Ear PHONE.

    Norris Communications -- 619/679-1504 -- 619/486-3471 (fax)
      norris@applelink.apple.com

  Information from:
    Jennifer Blome & Randy Granovetter, Norris Communications
    Norris propaganda

  Related articles:
    MacWEEK -- 18-May-92, Vol. 6, #20, pg. 4


 Copyright 1990-1992 Adam & Tonya Engst. Non-profit, non-commercial
   publications may reprint articles if full credit is given.

 For information send email to info@tidbits.com or ace@tidbits.com
 CIS: 72511,306 -- AppleLink: ace@tidbits.com@internet#
 AOL: Adam Engst -- Delphi: Adam_Engst -- BIX: TidBITS
 TidBITS -- 9301 Avondale Rd. NE Q1096 -- Redmond, WA 98052 USA
 -----------------------------------------------------------------

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Subject: Re: HR 5450 To repeal ADA, any info?
From: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.3 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


 JN> It seems like these congressmen need replacement. This was the  first I
 JN> had heard of this kind of Legislative action and it is disturbing that
 JN> it has taken months to find out about it. I think I'll be paying more
 JN> attention to whats going on.

Edwards and Dannemeyer both lost in the primaries.

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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2953 of the Handicap Digest

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