Here I am, composing this blog as I sit at my gate at Bergstrom International Airport in Austin. Hanni just made good use of the airport dog park, if you know what I mean, and is now resting happily at my feet. And me? I’ve got headphones attached to my ears as I type away at my talking computer.
It’s official. I’m a geek.
I suppose I’ve been influenced by the conference I just attended. John Slaten Access University, (Access U) is an annual conference/workshop about accessible technology – it’s put on by a non-profit in Austin called Knowbility. A few years ago I sat on a panel with Knowbility’s Executive Director and co-founder Sharron Rush. Ever since then, Sharron has been trying to get me down to Austin to speak at Access U.
This year it finally happened. Easter Seals agreed to fund my trip as part of the Technology Opportunities Project (TOP) grant I worked on with them. I gave a speech about the TOP grant on Tuesday — my mission was to show attendees the many ways accessible websites can really make a difference in a person’s life. It was an easy speech to give – all I had to do was tell the truth! Thanks to the efforts of programmers and website developers who value the importance of accessibility for the blind, I google to do my research, I’m able to fill out online forms on my own, I flip through websites to find information about events, times, locations and on and on. All that stuff the rest of you do using your eyes and a mouse? I do that by using my ears and keyboard commands.
And hey, without website accessibility, I wouldn’t be able to blog. Hmmm. Not sure that’s a plug for or against accessibility for the blind!
In addition to giving a speech, I attended a few sessions at Access U, too. It was heartening to be around so many people with an active interest in keeping the web accessible.
All in all I had a great time. Hanni, too. She wasn’t the only guide dog in the bunch this time – she shared the spotlight with two other guides who were there helping their own blind partners. I have a funny feeling the guide dogs exchanged secrets under the desktops while we blind geeks typed away at our computers.
Uh-oh. They just called our flight. Gotta go. Here’s hoping there are no storms in Chicago this time!
Your access to technology is not only great for you, it’s great for all of your family and friends. WE are so fortunate to have YOU at our fingertips. I know I talk for so many when I say that we are grateful for the TOP grant, and to all of the programmers and website developers who keep us in close touch with you, and who provide you with this access that so many take for granted.
I’m glad Hanni had a good time, too! Although she couldn’t play with the other guides, I’m sure she enjoyed sharing glances with them, the love muffin that she is.
Aw, shucks. Thanks for the sweet note! I should say – at the conference I learned that people without disabilities (even the ones who don’t read this blog!) DO benefit from accessibility techniques. The focus on text (rather than graphics) is good for people who use Blackberries and cell phones to read web sites, and geeks who want to work faster (and are trying to avoid carpal-tunnel syndrome) appreciate all the keystroke commands. It’s kind of like curb cuts for people with wheelchairs – skateboarders benefit, as do parents pushing strollers and travelers with wheels on their luggage.
And you’re right: I’m absolutely SURE Hanni stole a few glances at those other dogs – they all had fun.
I realy liked meeting you and I am sure I can learn some more from you in the future while I am expanding my knowledge on accessibility and web 2.0 functionalities.
I am glad to see your writing style on the blog has the same tone of voice as your speech at AccesU becose I enjoyed it so much. I’ll try checking this blog now and then see what you and Hanni are up to =)
Cheers
Nymphaea
Thanks for writing, Nymphaea. It was great meeting you at the conference, just much too short. I am saving the info you gave me on the possible origins of Hanni’s name, I hope to use it in a future blog. Stay tuned!
Well Beth, I think you must attend our conferences regularly – the evaluation surveys are resounding in their praise of your keynote speech (and your books!). It is wonderful as well that you learned a few things about the nuts and bolts of technology access that you can pass along in your travels. Thanks for coming and giving such an inspirational talk.
You are welcome. But it is *I* who should be thanking *you*, Sharron. I am using the “nuts and bolts” I learnd at Access U every single day as I sit down with this talking computuer of mine.
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