From: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Users Group
Date: 10 Oct 92 04:59:08 GMT
Reply-To: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24843

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 CC> No efforts have been made to organize a computer users group of
 CC> the blind in this area.  For one thing, there may not be enough
 CC> of them (blind computer users), and for another, too many
 CC> advanced users are strongly attached to one or the other of the
 CC> blind groups (NFB/ACB).

Curtis,
    As someone who has been totally surprised by the interest shown in
our VIPACE group of visually disabled computer users here in Pittsburgh,
I have to comment on this...

     When we first formed the group a little over 2 years ago, I simply
didn't think there were that many blind computer users here to make it
worth the effort either!  As time went on though, we went from perhaps
an average of 8 members present at our monthly meetings to well over 20
at most now, we have had introductory courses that have perked the
interest of many people, some of whom are currently in the process of
obtaining their first computers, we've had guest speakers such as Eric
Bohlman, Doug Geoffray, and representatives of the various major
producers of adaptive equipment, we've had various products demonstrated
by members such as the Eureka and other items that most would never see
in any other way, and frankly, the post meeting meetings at Pizza Hut
ain't bad either!

     It is my firm belief that one of the reasons VIPACE has been so
successful here in Pittsburgh despite the fact we too have strong NFB
and ACB advocates as members is because we intentionally keep the
politics out of the computer user's group!  Sure, there have been more
than one passionate discussion at our annual picnics, and even a few at
the aforementioned Pizza Hut gatherings, but not only are such things
not brought up during the meetings themselves, no effort needs to be
made to keep them from coming up!  I can't even imagine why an interest
in computers should be divided upon ones leanings towards a particular
blind consumer group, at least not to the point where it should prevent
something as valuable as a group like VIPACE being formed elsewhere!

 CC> Actually, I am not sure what a users group in the Twin Cities
 CC> area can accomplish.  Yes, I can see the potential for exchange
 CC> of information, and that is not without value.  However, we need
 CC> to do more to improve the way in which technology (particularly
 CC> computer technology) is made available to blind people.

Not only are these not mutually exclusive, I honestly believe
that the more informed a consumer is, the better the chances they are
supplied the PROPER equipment, something the typical dispenser of the
goods often overlooks!

     Give it a shot Curtis, cause you might be as surprised by the
interest shown in a users' group in your twin cities as I was here!
                                        Willie

... If you're looking for blind people you came to the right place!

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