You know, as I think about Gary's original request, I don't think it's
that far out of line. It's an interesting observation, to me at least,
that savvy tech folks who are blind, at least I assume folks are savvy and
blind on this list, assume that products, even products which are designed
for use by the blind, are not going to be labeled in a blind compatible
manner. If you're the average sighted Jane or Joe, and you go to the
store
to buy a piece of electronic equipment, you can bet that 9 times out of
10,
that equipment, and all of its ansilary parts, will be labeled so as to
make it clear that they go together. To be honest, if I'm buying a
product
for use by the blind, I want that product manufacturer to have enough
respect for my business that they label their devices clearly in a tactile
manner. Moreover, I want them to provide the same documentation they
supply in print in an accessible media. Case and point, though it's
slightly
off-topic to this list: I purchased one of those talking thermostats from
talkingthermostat.com. The device is usable, and the audio documentation
is reasonable, as far as it goes. However, there is a service manual
provided, in print, which tells you how to do tings like install the unit,
set the jumpers for your hvac equipment, and, most importantly, reset the
service warning timer.
My point here is that if you're going to sell products to the blind,
don't assume they don't need the same documentation and/or readable
markings on the equipment. Sure, you all can make your own labels, and if
you want to augment the existing labels, that's great, but, quite frankly,
it's depressing that we, as consumers, allow those that make products for
us get away with substandard on-device labeling. As good a job as APH
has
done with the Bookport, even APH has catered to the sighted, by labeling
all of the buttons on the Bookport in print. How popular, do you think,
the Bookport would be if there were no labels of anykind on the buttons?
Why is it more important to have print labels than braille ones, or, at
the
very least, tactile letters, so both populations can be served? Don't get
me wrong, I love the Bookport, and I love what APH has done for the
Bookport, but, in my heart of hearts, I still feel that we shouldn't feel
shy about asking for tactile markings on products designed for use by the
blind. Gary's time is worth money, and why should he work harder than his
sighted peers to keep track of his array of battery chargers, especially
for those devices designed specifically for his use? I say, he shouldn't
and he shouldn't feel bad about asking for such a simple feature.
So, I'm with Gary's original request--bring on the tactilly marked
battery charger, so we know it's part of the Bookport's kit.
-Brian
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