WATA Bulletin - Winter 1998

Contents:

Web-Based Email--Benefits and Barriers

Debbie Cook
Director, WATA

We have received numerous requests regarding Web-based e-mail. This article describes some of the benefits of this rapidly growing Internet resource, how this service is changing the way we use e-mail and why this change may pose a significant barrier for many people with disabilities.

BACKGROUND

Many people with disabilities believe that access to the Internet in general and ability to use electronic mail (e-mail) in particular has significantly enhanced our ability to access information, reduced communication barriers and provided increased opportunities for social interaction. If you have doubts, check out the number of e-mail discussion forums related to disability issues. Of course there's no way to track how many people with disabilities are exchanging e-mail or participating in discussion with non-disabled people. After all, on e-mail I can decide when to disclose that I'm a person who is blind and I can be pretty sure that your first question will not be, "how much food does your dog guide eat?"

WHAT IS WEB MAIL AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?

Web mail is absolutely free of charge. You register by completing an online form then start using your account. (I established accounts with four providers: Eudoramail, Yahoo, Hotmail, and NetAddress. There are other providers available.) Most commercial e-mail providers charge $10 to $20 per month for an account.

Web mail is stored on the World Wide Web and is retrieved using any Web browsing software such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, Lynx etc. This means you can check your e-mail at the public library, at work (if you have Internet access), at some convenience stores (which costs money) and, with the right technology, you can even check mail using your TV. In contrast, you need a computer to access your commercial e-mail account and you'll probably pay long distance charges to use it while traveling.

Web mail providers offer enhanced security and mail screening features which are more sophisticated than those on many commercial accounts. For example, I receive no advertising in two of my Web mail accounts and very selected ads in the other two accounts. In contrast, I receive 5 or 6 unsolicited ads per day in my commercial account. Additionally I have one Web mail account set to receive only mail from people I've sent mail to.

ACCESS CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES

Users of assistive technology for computer output (screen readers, screen enlargers and Braille displays) and those who use input alternatives (voice recognition, switches or other keyboard emulation devices) may want to research the following questions when considering Web mail.

IS THE WEB MAIL SITE ACCESSIBLE?

The simplest way to check accessibility is to sign up using a text-based browser such as Lynx, or use a graphical browser with graphics turned off. I registered for three services without much difficulty. It was not possible to register for NetAddress without graphics because this site does not have text labels for graphical buttons. All four sites are technically accessible once you've registered, but all four lead you through a maze of links before you reach e-mail. It took about three hours per site to develop a strategy for logging on and quickly accessing my mail using a screen reader. Inexperienced users will need even more time.

DOES IT WORK WITH A BROWSER I CAN USE?

Browsers vary greatly in their ability to work with assistive technology devices. For example, as a screen-reader user I use browsers that offer full keyboard support for commands. Someone else may need a browser with flexibility in fonts and character sizes. Some Web mail sites provide best security support when using Netscape. Some make such extensive use of frames that they do not work well with Lynx.

ARE THE VENUES ACCESSIBLE TO ME?

It is the intent of Web mail providers to change how we interact with e-mail and the Web so that our access to the Internet will become as mobile and as flexible as we are. Unfortunately computer assistive technology is often not that mobile. We're not welcome to attach our screen readers, voice recognition systems, alternative keyboards, pointing devices etc. to terminals in restaurants and convenience stores. So Web mail (as it was intended to be used) is not very accessible for many people with disabilities.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Here's my strategy. I'm in regular contact with my four Web mail providers about the accessibility of their sites. They need our input!

Learn about the accessibility features of browsers and encourage use of those which offer the most flexibility for AT users. And, advocate strongly that access to public places means physical access and access to all services (including technology) offered in that venue.

Legislative & Policy Update

Frances E. Pennell
Policy, Funding and Systems Change Specialist

New Legislation: There is a lot happening! In the other Washington, legislation reauthorizing the Tech Act will be introduced some time this spring. Congress is also considering amendments to the Rehabilitation Act and legislation that would give consumers greater rights in dealing with health insurers and managed care organizations. In Olympia, the legislature is considering a number of bills of interest including:

The State Children's Health Initiative Program (SCHIP) would create a BHP or Medicaid "lookalike" program for the 10,000 uninsured children in Washington between 200 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level and would reserve up to 46.7 million in Federal SCHIP dollars for future children's health initiatives. WATA is hoping to convince state officials to include coverage for durable medical equipment, orthotics and prosthetics (and other rehabilitation services). If you know of a child who needs AT and would qualify for SCHIP, or you are otherwise interested in supporting such coverage, please call us.

Elimination of sales tax on home medical equipment: HB2004 was still clinging to life in mid-February but prospects for passage are not great. Look for this issue to resurface next year.

Licensing and training for hearing instrument fitters: HB2688 would require hearing instrument fitters to complete a two-year-degree program. The goal is to improve the quality of evaluation and service provided.

DO-IT Program Funding: Do-IT is a nationally acclaimed program which brings high school students with disabilities to the University of Washington during the summers to study math, science and computer sciences. Their federal funding ends in October 1998 and the Governor has asked for up to $500,000 in continuation funding.

Miscellaneous: Check our Web site for updates on other bills including those that strengthen disabled parking enforcement, establish an interagency Board to improve "special needs" public transportation and add businesses owned by people with disabilities to those that qualify as minority contractors.

Update on Kiosk Suit: The Washington Protection & Advocacy System (WPAS) successfully defended a motion to dismiss its suit, under Title II of the ADA, challenging the state's failure to make its public information kiosks accessible to people with disabilities. Trial is scheduled for Sept. 28, 1998. WPAS also has new co-counsel, David Binney, with the Preston Gates & Ellis representing the Washington Council of the Blind.

Did You Know?

Free Devices at the AT-Exchange - Many of the AT devices listed on the Assistive Technology Electronic Marketplace (AT-Exchange) are available at no cost to people who can use such items to increase their independence, quality of life and/or level of participation in work, school, home and recreation. Free items currently listed include wheelchairs and other utility vehicles for increasing mobility, aids for daily living and adapted computer hardware.

The AT-Exchange is an online marketplace designed to link a person or an agency that has an AT device no longer needed with a person who can use it. The AT-Exchange at http://wata.org/atexchange/ is fully accessible to all Web browsers, or you can call the WATA Information and Referral Line at 800-214-8731 for more information.

Calendar of Events

Technology & Persons with Disabilities, March 17-21, 1998, Los Angeles, CA

One of the best annual conferences on assistive technology for people with disabilities. Call the California State University at Northridge at (818) 677-2578 or visit their Web site at http://www.csun.edu/cod/

Designing for the Twenty-First Century, June 18-21, 1998, New York, NY

An international conference on universal design of information, products, and environments sponsored by the Adaptive Environments Center in collaboration with the AARP, the American Institute of Architects, the Trace Center and many others. For more information, call Adaptive Environments at (617) 695-1225 or visit the conference Web site at: http://www.adaptenv.org/21century/

Assistive Technology (AT) Summer Institute, June 22-26, 1998, Seattle, WA

The Assistive Technology Resource Center at the University of Washington will offer a week-long Summer Institute to provide intensive instruction in assistive technology with hands-on experiences, case studies, and mini-consultations. Topics include: Matching Individuals with Assistive Technology, Funding Sources, Seating and Positioning, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Access to the Internet and Information Technology, AT for the Visually Impaired and the Blind, AT for the Hearing Impaired and the Deaf, and many more. For more information, contact the ATRC at (206) 685-4181 or email at uwat@u.washington.edu

The State of the Arts & Science, June 26 - July 1, 1998, Minneapolis, MN

Annual RESNA Conference on Assistive Technology & Rehabilitation Engineering. For more information, call RESNA at (703) 524-6686 V or (703) 524-6639 TTY or email at http://www.resna.org.