Most chargers and adaptors aren't clearly labeled. Sighted people get them mixed up as much as we do.
Bruce -- Bruce Toews Skype ID: o.canada E-mail and MSN/Windows Messenger: DogRiver@xxxxxxxx LiveJournal: http://brucetola.livejournal.com Radio Show and Podcast: http://www.totw.net Web Site (including info on my weekly commentaries): http://www.ogts.net Info on the Best TV Show of All Time: http://www.cornergas.com On Wed, 17 Jan 2007, Brian Buhrow wrote:
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