IATF Users willing to test accessible technology, here:

[Jordi Martí Ruiz]

Hi!

I am preparing a new website section focused on IATF Users that are open to testing assistive technologies or accessible tech projects. Shortly, each user can modify their data directly from the website. But for now, I will gather all the data here:

I will need three things:

1. IATF Username or preferred name.
2. How to contact you: Discord or Google Group (at least one).
3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years.

Example:

1. IATF Username or preferred name: @varequalsjordi
2. How to contact you: Discord and Google Group
3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years:

• VoiceOver, MacOS, three years.
• Orca, Linux, three years.

The fee is 50 USD/hour, except for underdeveloped countries, for which it might be free or something symbolic. If a company agrees with the price, the IATF can provide feedback/help to both parties. Out of this fee will be considered something outside the IATF as well.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them, and probably, will make a FAQ with them.

Kindly,

Jordi

[Karen Lewellen]

Hi Jordi,
How will payment be managed, especially for members outside of the United
states?
Best,
Karen

On Fri, 7 Oct 2022, Jordi Martí Ruiz wrote:

> Hi!
>
> I am preparing a new website section focused on IATF Users that are open to
> testing assistive technologies or accessible tech projects. Shortly, each
> user can modify their data directly from the website. But for now, I will
> gather all the data here:
>
> I will need three things:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name.
> 2. How to contact you: Discord or Google Group (at least one).
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years.
>
> Example:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name: @varequalsjordi
> 2. How to contact you: Discord and Google Group
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years:
>

> - VoiceOver, MacOS, three years.
> - Orca, Linux, three years.

>
>
> The fee is 50 USD/hour, except for underdeveloped countries, for which it
> might be free or something symbolic. If a company agrees with the price,
> the IATF can provide feedback/help to both parties. Out of this fee will be
> considered something outside the IATF as well.
>
> If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them, and probably,
> will make a FAQ with them.
>
> Kindly,
> Jordi
>

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>

[Jordi Martí Ruiz]

Hi Karen,

The company will pay the equivalent in your currency (euros, pesos, pounds, yens, etc.). Also, you decide which payment method works for you (bank transfer, PayPal, etc.)

Best,

Jordi

[Karen Lewellen]

Most cool!
Will write privately with my details.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/internationalaccessibilitytaskforce/25932c0c-bd7b-4c47-8566-1f50c71f3fa1n%40googlegroups.com.
>

[Karen Lewellen]

Hi list,
Katie sent a comment she no doubt intended for the entire list.
Her point, to which I am sharing my answer, is something I feel important
to consider.
One personal barrier I encounter often, even hear echoed on the w3c's web
accessibility initiative list is this.
the assumption that everyone sharing a label accommodate the same, and
that only single populations use certain technology.
many issues here, what happens when, as is often the case, a person has
more than one experience requiring accommodation?
And, as I note bellow, when many populations benefit from a technology
wrongly believed to help only one?
Are you facilitating access for individuals meeting individual desires, or
categories that may not reflect a broader human reality?
anyway, my answer and her comment are below.
Karen



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2022 15:01:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: Karen Lewellen <klew...@shellworld.net>
To: Katty Geltmeyer <kattyge...@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: IATF Users willing to test accessible technology, here:

Hi Katie,
Your post here did not reach its intended subject.
still, in theory your perspective is incorrect.
by focusing on technology one uses, a researcher gets to explore how the
technology, not the label, works for the individual user.
for example individuals with learning experiences often use screen readers.
those experiencing blindness often use voice navigation.
and of course a person may be accommodating more than one life experience.
further being born blind means different things in different situations,
learning environments parts of the world etc.
Speaking personally, it makes more sense to ask about technology choices than
body labels if that resonates.
best,
Karen Lewellen



On Sat, 8 Oct 2022, Katty Geltmeyer wrote:

> I don't find a relevant question in your list that is relevant:
> You don't ask if the tester has a disability and which one it is.
>
> If a person is deaf or hard of hearing, this is a big difference; if a
> person is blind or visually impaired (with some rest visus) this is also a
> big difference.
>
> Idem for other disabilities: the more specific the tester can indicate this,
> the more specific the results of a test can be interpreted.
>
> I e.g. am born blind, so if I would test a camera app I need more info than
> someone who has experience in using a camera or can check what's visible on
> the screen.
>
> The thing to consider is: how relevant is such info for the dev of a
> software, which info is needed etc.
>
> Best, Katty
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: internationalacce...@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:internationalacce...@googlegroups.com] Namens Karen
> Lewellen
> Verzonden: vrijdag 7 oktober 2022 23:16
> Aan: Jordi Martí Ruiz <savant...@gmail.com>
> CC: International Accessibility Task Force
> <internationalacce...@googlegroups.com>
> Onderwerp: Re: IATF Users willing to test accessible technology, here:

[Kelly O'Brien Burford]

You made my millennium 🫶

On Sun, Oct 9, 2022 at 10:41 AM Karen Lewellen <klew...@shellworld.net> wrote:

Indeed...a rich beautiful point.
I may have to dig up the comment to share here, but the director of crip
camp which was nominated for an Oscar a few  years ago raised a
comparative point.
why does anyone have to share their body experience to be accommodated at
all?
If one uses progressive enhancement, building from a baseline of say basic
HTML, adding the extras on top, then an individual can still get in the
door using the tool working for them..as they define it.  Not someone
outside using their understanding of life experience.
I solute the magical human you represent.
Kare



On Sun, 9 Oct 2022, Kelly O'Brien Burford wrote:

> One last thought, I also struggle to know how to answer human questions
> about anything. Nothing about how others use tools has ever applied to me.
> I interact confidently with things that don’t require me to speak or make
> noise with my face.
>
> https://patents.justia.com/inventor/kelly-burford

[Karen Lewellen]

Indeed...a rich beautiful point.
I may have to dig up the comment to share here, but the director of crip
camp which was nominated for an Oscar a few years ago raised a
comparative point.
why does anyone have to share their body experience to be accommodated at
all?
If one uses progressive enhancement, building from a baseline of say basic
HTML, adding the extras on top, then an individual can still get in the
door using the tool working for them..as they define it. Not someone
outside using their understanding of life experience.
I solute the magical human you represent.
Kare



On Sun, 9 Oct 2022, Kelly O'Brien Burford wrote:

> One last thought, I also struggle to know how to answer human questions
> about anything. Nothing about how others use tools has ever applied to me.
> I interact confidently with things that don’t require me to speak or make
> noise with my face.
>
> https://patents.justia.com/inventor/kelly-burford
>
>
>
> On Sun, Oct 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM Karen Lewellen <klew...@shellworld.net>
> wrote:
>

[Kelly O'Brien Burford]

One last thought, I also struggle to know how to answer human questions about anything. Nothing about how others use tools has ever applied to me. I interact confidently with things that don’t require me to speak or make noise with my face.

https://patents.justia.com/inventor/kelly-burford

On Sun, Oct 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM Karen Lewellen <klew...@shellworld.net> wrote:

[Karen Lewellen]

Hey, that is terrific.
Honestly though? One of the most amazing uses of the voiceover screen
reader I have ever encountered was shown on 60 minutes. Its an American
news series.
anyway, parents of a child with a condition where they could not speak
used a combination of voiceover and images to communicate.
It absolutely rocked!
I was thinking, now, that is adaptive technology. Like clay, molded into
artistic magic connecting humans. Works for me.
Karen

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/internationalaccessibilitytaskforce/CAOWVSOFwKXuSe0bkoB9vWzzQpBQjYL42sAq%3D0nQmT0_pekwT-Q%40mail.gmail.com.
>

[Jordi Martí Ruiz]

That's a good point; Many thanks for noticing! 

Let me update de requirements:

1. IATF Username or preferred name.
2. How to contact you: Discord or Google Group (at least one).
3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years.

4. Health conditions: Disabilities, impairments, diseases, and conditions.

Example:

1. IATF Username or preferred name: @varequalsjordi
2. How to contact you: Discord and Google Group
3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years:

• VoiceOver, MacOS, three years.
• Orca, Linux, three years.

4. Health conditions: 

• Blind, six years.

Kind regards,

Jordi

[Karen Lewellen]

I am sorry jordi,
Requiring anyone to disclose a health condition in this fashion in
exchange for employment potential violates a number of laws, human
rights and otherwise in various jurisdictions.
That choice should be optional only, and not disclosed to an organization
if it stays at all.
Karen

On Sun, 9 Oct 2022, Jordi Martí Ruiz wrote:

> That's a good point; Many thanks for noticing!
>
> Let me update de requirements:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name.
> 2. How to contact you: Discord or Google Group (at least one).
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years.
> 4. Health conditions: Disabilities, impairments, diseases, and conditions.
>
> Example:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name: @varequalsjordi
> 2. How to contact you: Discord and Google Group
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years:
>

> - VoiceOver, MacOS, three years.
> - Orca, Linux, three years.
>

> 4. Health conditions:
>
> - Blind, six years.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/internationalaccessibilitytaskforce/a45f7312-0de9-4d24-ad05-2ec47ec31567n%40googlegroups.com.
>

[Jordi Martí Ruiz]

Hi Karen,

This entire initiative and all the fields within it are hundred percent optional, and the end decision about what to fill belongs to the user only.

Each user will have their own space on the website, and they will be able to modify and adapt their profile as they wish. IATF will only filter inappropriate content like spam, adult, weapons, etc.

I hope this brings some light to your concerns.

Best,

Jordi

[Karen Lewellen]

Oh. And it is also both illegal and discriminatory to suggest only those
experiencing a health condition qualify as experts to use certain
technology.
Honestly, the requirement should be removed all together, as this thread
illustrates.
What your companies want to learn is how technology allows access to goods
and services. that has nothing to do with what types of bodies can prove
that point.
Karen

On Sun, 9 Oct 2022, Jordi Martí Ruiz wrote:

> That's a good point; Many thanks for noticing!
>
> Let me update de requirements:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name.
> 2. How to contact you: Discord or Google Group (at least one).
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years.
> 4. Health conditions: Disabilities, impairments, diseases, and conditions.
>
> Example:
>
> 1. IATF Username or preferred name: @varequalsjordi
> 2. How to contact you: Discord and Google Group
> 3. Assistive Technologies that you use and for how many years:
>

> - VoiceOver, MacOS, three years.
> - Orca, Linux, three years.
>

> 4. Health conditions:
>
> - Blind, six years.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/internationalaccessibilitytaskforce/a45f7312-0de9-4d24-ad05-2ec47ec31567n%40googlegroups.com.
>

[Karen Lewellen]

It does not.
because by including a health condition category at all, you create an
environment where those seeking to staff filter for their idea of a
condition qualifier.
as in, someone using a label I associate with a technology are the only
people qualified for this job.
Blind is not a disease.
It can be the result of many factors, and exist in a variety of
personifications. It is not two sides of a coin.
Same can be said for countless physical and mental experiences.
the category is illegal and should not be present as a means of qualifying
anyone for participating in this work.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/internationalaccessibilitytaskforce/9a8c43e7-76a6-4f36-91a9-49efac8dd15an%40googlegroups.com.
>

[Karen Lewellen]

laughs, I keep coming up with tons of problems here.
In Canada we have parts of the population who have self-defined disabling
conditions. They would not qualify for this kind of work because some
third party has not branded them with a label defined as a disease as You
put it here.
i suggest you read a bit on the united Nations convention on the rights of
people with disabilities, which carries the weight of treaty in many
countries.
Speaking personally, there is no universe where presenting a benefit for
a human being to carry forth the limited thinking assigned tot hem by
others is helpful.
Does that resonate?
You are seeking individuals strong in adaptive tools...no matter what lead
to that expertise.
Karen

[Jordi Martí Ruiz]

Hi Karen!

What you said makes plenty of sense. It would be unfair to people that don’t want to expose their condition. And it will create a conflict in terms of privacy and fairness. So let’s prescind of this field.

Best,

Jordi