3.997 humans and computers, cont. (51)

Willard McCarty (MCCARTY@vm.epas.utoronto.ca)
Fri, 2 Feb 90 20:37:56 EST

Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 3, No. 997. Friday, 2 Feb 1990.


(1) Date: Fri, 02 Feb 90 09:19:58 PLT (6 lines)
From: "Guy L. Pace" <PACE@WSUVM1>
Subject: administrative bugbears

(2) Date: Fri, 2 Feb 90 11:20 EST (25 lines)
From: <EDHARRIS@CTSTATEU>
Subject: dehumanizing?

(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 90 09:19:58 PLT
From: "Guy L. Pace" <PACE@WSUVM1>
Subject: administrative bugbears

Just a note to applaud John Slatin's efforts and successes. Keep up
the fight, John.
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------31----
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 90 11:20 EST
From: <EDHARRIS@CTSTATEU>
Subject: dehumanizing?

We have recently begun an assistive technology lab which employs diverse
hardware and software to make computers accessible to those to whom they
haven't been. Machines that speak what is on the screen are used by
blind students, machines that anticipate what will be typed and machines
with huge keyboards are used by students with motor disabilities. The
machines aren't human, of course, and disabled students remain disabled.
Still, as post-secondary education seems continually to imply increasing
access to computers, computers are accessible in ways that I think most
resources are not, or have not been. Disabled students using computers
can do what temporarily able-bodied (as the jargon goes) students using
computers can do. There is a level pitch for every course which is
enhanced through a student's use of computers. And watching the disabled
kids realize they can do this kind of work is a moving sight.

A recent article germane to this issue, "Challenging the Myth of
Disability," by Alan Brightman appeared in Educom Review 24:4, pp. 17-23.
It's available from listserv@bitnic as disabili brightma (I think).

Ed. Harris, Academic Affairs
Southern Ct State U, New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 397-4320, 397-4207 (Fax)