From: Kelly Pierce 
Subject: computer users network news #15
living.  They have the talent to earn money through services such
as training, installation, maintenance, and upgrades.  They should
know about products and services that they don't sell, such as
training tapes, books, online mailing lists, community college
courses and other resources that assist the end user in learning
and conquering the technology. 
     Adaptive technology specialists, evaluators, and dealers may
be independent business owners or work for an agency or
institution.  Independents may be highly adaptable to individual
needs and flexible in their services.  They also may have little
contact or exposure with the disability community beyond their job. 
Agencies are as good as the people that work there.  Consider the
strengths and experience of the person working at the agency, not
just the strengths of the agency itself.  Agencies can be biased
too.  For example, the largest Chicago blindness agency has a
financial relationship with an Indiana-based producer of screen
readers.  Not surprisingly, this agency invariably recommends only
the screen readers that it sells.
     What assessment procedures does the evaluator use to arrive at
a recommendation?  Will the user actually try the device?  For how
long?  What outcomes or behaviors were observed during the device
usage?  If you have not used the device before, this is a must. 
The evaluation should go beyond a demonstration of how the adaptive
technology works.  It should include hands-on use of equipment and
software in the actual situations and settings faced by the end
user.  If it doesn't work, it is convincing evidence not to
purchase the device.  If it works for the end user, it is a nearly
irrefutable justification.  Actual experience with a product during
several weeks in the real world is far more convincing than the
unnatural experience of a half-hour-long highly structured
evaluation at a demonstration center.
     What standard does the evaluator use for his recommendation? 
Is it consistent with the legal standard in question?  This is
important.  If an employer, state rehabilitation agency, or a
school district is purchasing the adaptive technology, the
evaluator should be familiar with the standards and procedures in
the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act as
amended in 1992, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA).  These standards may vary considerably from the
professional opinion of the AT specialist or the preferences or
desires of the user.  What is best for the user may not be
"appropriate" under IDEA, or "effective communication" under the
ADA.  Likewise, rehabilitation funding allows for devices
"necessary for employment" and Medicaid will cover only those
things "medically necessary."  These are not complicated
definitions to understand, but the At specialist should be familiar
with their meaning and requirements.  For assistance in obtaining
a specific standard, contact a parents' group, ADA technical
assistance center, or a blind computer user network.  
     Can the evaluator, trainer, or dealer use the device the way
that the end user will?  People who sell, service, and evaluate
adaptive technology products such as screen readers should be able
to use the adaptive technology.  Rarely do sighted evaluators,
trainers, or vendors have the screen turned off when working with
a blind end user.  It can be difficult to understand what works--
REALLY WORKS--for the end user if one does not use it oneself. 
     Finally, above all, trust yourself.  Things that can't be
described can mean a lot.  You may have difficulty in trusting the
adaptive technology specialist.  You may feel that he really
doesn't understand your needs or situation.  He may speak only in
generalities and not specifics.  He might be vague about the
experiences of other customers.  My experience tells me that if the
end user is uncomfortable or unsure about the adaptive technology
specialist, unsatisfactory outcomes often result.  It is better to
wait and continue asking questions until one is comfortable than to
move forward.  Our feelings tell us a lot about ourselves.  We need
to use them to make the right choices.
     (Kelly Pierce assists victims of crime navigate the criminal
court system at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. He is
also the coordinator of the Computer Network's Lynx Squad.)
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                               FYI 
     The following radio and television shows may be of interest to
our readers:
Sundays--11:00 AM, "TV.com," ABC, channel 7 in Chicago;
Sundays--3:30 PM, "Life on the Internet," Channel 20 in Chicago; 
Sundays through Saturdays--6:00 PM, "The Site," MSNBC; 
Sundays--4:00 PM, "Computer Chronicles," Channel 20 in Chicago;
Tuesdays--9:00 PM, "Real Computing," WDCB, 90.5-FM, Glen Ellyn;
Fridays--8:30 PM, "Computer Chronicles," Channel 20, Chicago;
Saturdays--2:00 PM, "CNN Computer Connection," CNN (Cable News
     Network).
     If you know of other technology-related shows that are not
included here, please contact Cindy Brown through the voice-mail:
312-458-9006.  
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                           TREASURES!
 
     Planning on upgrading to a Pentium and wishing for a home for
your 486?  Got a Braille 'N' Speak classic you aren't using any
more? an old synthesizer? an out-of-date, beginner-ready copy of a
computer tutorial?
 
   List what you've got in the Treasures column,  the Computer
Network's home for wonderful things that their current owners have
used and loved and don't need any more! Anna Byrne is your contact
person. You can reach her by leaving your name and phone number on
the BSA voice-mail line, and be sure to indicate you want to speak
to Anna Byrne.  That number is: 312-458-9006.
 
     AVAILABLE TO BORROW:42 2-track cassette tapes, recorded at
 1   7/8 IPS;containing articles about computers from The Chicago
Sun Times;to be picked up at BSA office on a week day; available
only until March 1, 1998.  To reserve the tapes, 
phone: Carlos Hranicka, 312-226-4280. 
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                       DATES TO REMEMBER!
     All events listed below take place at Blind Service
Association, unless otherwise indicated.  You can also contact the
BSA voice-mail line for more up-to-date information.  (312-458-
9006)
     Thurs., Oct. 30, 1997, 6:00-7:30--openhouse for new members;
ninth floor.
     Sat., Nov. 1, 1997, 10:00-12:30--Arkenstone Open Book 3
(optical character recognition scanner) and MegaDots (Braille
translation program); ninth floor; (seminar presentations).
     Wed., Nov. 12, 1997, 5:30-7:30--Cognoscentae (governing board)
meeting; ninth floor; (all are welcome).
     Thurs., Nov. 13, 1997, 6:00-8:00--Lynx Squad; ninth floor
(Internet discussion).  
     Thurs., Nov. 27, 1997--Thanksgiving (no Computers for  Dummies
or new members' openhouse this month).
     Wed., Dec. 3, 1997, noon--deadline for newsletter articles!
c/o Cindy Brown, eleventh floor (see DO IT--WRITE NOW! 
page 9).
     Wed., Dec. 3, 1997, 5:30-6:30--All-Write team meeting (all who
are interested in helping out with the newsletter). 
 
     Sat., Dec. 6, 1997, 10:00-12:30--Holiday Openhouse for
everyone! ninth floor; (food, fun, and perhaps even a door-prize or
two). 
     Wed., Dec. 10, 1997, 5:30-7:30--Cognoscentae (governing board)
meeting; ninth floor; (all are welcome).
     Thurs., Dec. 11, 1997, 6:00-8:00--Lynx Squad; ninth floor
(Internet discussion).
     Thurs., Dec. 25, 1997--Christmas Day (no meetings for new
members or beginners this month).
     Note: Because of the holiday weekend, there will be no monthly
seminar in January.
 
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