Sunday, May 30, 1999
Paper in meetings leaves out workers who read Braille
BY DEBORAH KENDRICK
Enquirer contributor
When I wrote a column on Braille literacy, many readers related to it. Here are a few of the responses:
Greetings!
I've just read your recent commentary on Braille, and I'm glad for it. I've been reading a lot of it lately, but not at today's meeting of a grant-dispensing committee, at which others flipped through print pages while I thought with longing of the Word documents I should get on a diskette in a day or two. Thank you for writing the piece!
— Al Sten-Clanton
Good morning,
I've been reading your column with the special interest of one who has a boss who is unsighted. John is one of the best bosses I've ever had, and the only change in communication we've had to make is to transmit meeting minutes, etc., electronically so that his computer screen reader, JAWS for Windows, can read it to him. He is at a disadvantage in meetings, when papers are handed out.
I've tried to think of ways to assist John by determining ways to make printed matter more accessible.
Seiko has come out with a hand- held scanner pen, used in language study. The basic concept is that the “pen” scans a word and reads it to the user. The unit, the shape of a digital thermometer, though larger, has more than 40,000 words stored in memory. The problem is that the individual using the scan pen must position the pen at the beginning of a word and stop at the end — something a non-sighted person may not be able to do. In talking with Seiko's customer service, however, I have been told that they are coming up with second-generation technology that will increase the scanner's capability to determine word endings.
Technology of this sort could equalize the world of print literacy for those unable to access it.
— Elizabeth Johnson, Columbus
Dear Ms. Kendrick,
During my bus ride in to work this morning I enjoyed reading your column on Braille literacy I, too, am an avid Braille reader. I believe deeply in the connection between the mind and the printed page.
Sometimes I daydream about being an artistic writer. I dream about song lyrics, critical commentaries and works of fiction. But when I read excellent writing, such as yours, I think I'd better stick to writing intros to tape cuts and editing notes for taped interviews.
I'm always glad to find a Deborah Kendrick column in an issue of Syndicated Columnists Weekly, (a Braille publication offering commentaries from newspapers across the country, produced by the National Braille Press, Boston.) I'm sure Cincinnati Enquirer readers feel fortunate to read your columns.
— Byron K. Smith, Bloomington, Ind.
One topic generating many questions is that of handicapped parking. One recent query:
Dear Ms. Kendrick,
I have MS and walk with a cane, slowly. I have a “handicapped parking” permit. The other day, I had ordered Chinese food and when I went to pick it up the parking lot was full and I had to park a distance away. I asked about handicap spots and was told they didn't have any. Are handicap spots required by law? This is not a small restaurant. I did tell them I probably wouldn't return.
— Pat Goulait, Sharonville
The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to all businesses and requires that accommodations are made for customers with disabilities. With so many businesses and so many types of accommodation, compliance often comes as a result of an inquiry like yours. Making such a business aware that customers are lost because of inadequate accommodation is one way to make the situation better; another might be to explain how they are breaking the law.
Cincinnati writer Deborah Kendrick is a nationally recognized advocate for people with disabilities. E-mail dkendrick@enquirer.com or write her at The Cincinnati Enquirer, Tempo, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202.
KENDRICK ARCHIVE
