You're right:). One other issue that I have a particular interest in is the inability to use the standard input devices like we know them (mice, keyboards, joysticks and the like). Some people can only activate one or more switches (by blowing/sucking on a straw, moving their head in any direction to ativate a switch, only being able to move one finger...etcetera). I have yet to discover something for an Open Source operating system that allows these people to use (most of) it.
And have you ever thought about who pays for this kind of software in countries where no school, rehab center or other government-funded organization pays for it? Indeed, these people depend on charity. And that's one more reason to create open source alternatives for it.
My own software is being used in (for example) Russia, India and African countries simply because they can't afford the commercial, proprietary counterparts.
Now wouldn't that be one *more* reason why the Open Source community should pay more attention to these issues? You make it sound as if we should all ignore accessibility and assistive technology because we can't make any money out of it.
You are by the way absolutely right when you say that the market is too small and the targetted users are too poor to invest lots of money in it, but IMHO that is no reason to ignore those people. Call me an idealist or a dreamer, but there are enough bright people with enough free time on their hands to create whatever software is needed for whatever disability there is, but hardly anyone cares enough to spend any time on it. Instead lots of open source projects for sofware that already exists in too many flavours are started.
Congratulations on your raise and shorter hours. I've got a well-paying job too, and in my not-too-copious free time I work on Open Source Assistive Technology. Why? First of all because I have a spastic daughter, and more importantly because there are many people who can't afford the technology they need to achieve things that "we" (the fortunate ones without disabilities) take for granted.
Ah! Don't get me started on this issue. I wish there were so many more programmers that aren't in it for the money or that aren't only interested in technology because of the technology. I like to think that good programmers are gifted and should use their talents to help others in their everyday life. We're not alone in this world you know.
Enough ranting for now. If anyone reads this and wonders how he or she can help, send me an email. I'm in the process of starting a foundation for Open Source Assistive Technology....ideas and help are welcome.
Slashdot Mirror
You're right :). One other issue that I have a particular interest in is the inability to use the standard input devices like we know them (mice, keyboards, joysticks and the like). Some people can only activate one or more switches (by blowing/sucking on a straw, moving their head in any direction to ativate a switch, only being able to move one finger...etcetera). I have yet to discover something for an Open Source operating system that allows these people to use (most of) it.
Jouke
And have you ever thought about who pays for this kind of software in countries where no school, rehab center or other government-funded organization pays for it? Indeed, these people depend on charity. And that's one more reason to create open source alternatives for it.
My own software is being used in (for example) Russia, India and African countries simply because they can't afford the commercial, proprietary counterparts.
Jouke Visser
Now wouldn't that be one *more* reason why the Open Source community should pay more attention to these issues? You make it sound as if we should all ignore accessibility and assistive technology because we can't make any money out of it.
You are by the way absolutely right when you say that the market is too small and the targetted users are too poor to invest lots of money in it, but IMHO that is no reason to ignore those people. Call me an idealist or a dreamer, but there are enough bright people with enough free time on their hands to create whatever software is needed for whatever disability there is, but hardly anyone cares enough to spend any time on it. Instead lots of open source projects for sofware that already exists in too many flavours are started.
Congratulations on your raise and shorter hours. I've got a well-paying job too, and in my not-too-copious free time I work on Open Source Assistive Technology. Why? First of all because I have a spastic daughter, and more importantly because there are many people who can't afford the technology they need to achieve things that "we" (the fortunate ones without disabilities) take for granted.
Ah! Don't get me started on this issue. I wish there were so many more programmers that aren't in it for the money or that aren't only interested in technology because of the technology. I like to think that good programmers are gifted and should use their talents to help others in their everyday life. We're not alone in this world you know.
Enough ranting for now. If anyone reads this and wonders how he or she can help, send me an email. I'm in the process of starting a foundation for Open Source Assistive Technology....ideas and help are welcome.
Jouke Visser
Luckily not every Open Source developer is such an egocentric ass like you are
Why do most people think that accessibility is just an issue for the blind? There are so much more disabilities with their specific requirements!
:) )
Jouke Visser (who happens to be the author of an Open Source Assistive piece of software
Forgive my incorrectness. The reason for my mistake can easily be that English is not my native tongue...