[Grogg]

There seems to be considerable doubt here in this BB forum on the need for a subforum based on BB users' experience who would like to see improvements in the area of accessibility. Ironically though it is RIM who is helping set the stage on addressing accessibility issues for BB users as seen in their recent beta accessibility guide (docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/11936/JDE_5.0_AccessibilityGuide_Beta.pdf ).

• blind people
• visually impaired people
• colorblind people
• deaf people
• hearing impaired people
• speech impaired people
• people with motor impairments
• people with cognitive or learning disabilities

Like any other group of users, people with disabilities or impairments have needs, wants, and expectations about the behavior of applications. Some of the reasons to make your applications accessible to as many users as possible include the following possible benefits:
• Social responsibility: Making it easier for people with disabilities or impairments to benefit from the functionality that your application provides can promote equality and is the right thing to do.
• Market share: Ensuring that your application can be used by people with disabilities or impairments increases the number of people who can purchase and benefit from your application.
• Compliance: Addressing the applicable guidelines and regulatory requirements (such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act in the United States) that dictate that your application must be accessible by people with disabilities or impairments can allow you to enter certain markets.

RIM is making a case on greater inclusion for those with certain disabilities in their ongoing design changes to address accessbility needs.

Great ideas are born not out of silence but of voices.

[dc/dc]

I think one thread is enough.

http://www.blackberryforums.com/site...-bb-users.html

[Grogg]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

I think one thread is enough.

No. That thread specifically discusses about deaf/hh BB users. This thread here is for those BB users with one or more "disability" or conditions who would like to discuss various accessibility issues regarding BB phones whether they are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing. Secondly, the moderator said to go ahead a start a thread to measure the responses. And so I did.

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by Grogg

No. That thread specifically discusses about deaf/hh BB users. This thread here is for those BB users with one or more "disability" or conditions who would like to discuss various accessibility issues regarding BB phones whether they are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing. Secondly, the moderator said to go ahead a start a thread to measure the responses. And so I did.

You posted this exact same content in the other thread, so what is different in this one? Most disabled people I know don't want to be looked at differently than anyone else, and thus would prefer to assimilate. So why, then, would you want to segregate disabled BlackBerry users? If they can read and write, they can and should participate in ALL sections of this forum, not just some closed-off little world.

[JSanders]

While I agree dc/dc, we'll let it be. This thread can be for those with one or more "disability" or conditions discussion. The other thread... for HOH.

Meanwhile, dc, why are you dissing the Polish?

[Grogg]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

You posted this exact same content in the other thread, so what is different in this one? Most disabled people I know don't want to be looked at differently than anyone else, and thus would prefer to assimilate. So why, then, would you want to segregate disabled BlackBerry users? If they can read and write, they can and should participate in ALL sections of this forum, not just some closed-off little world.

This is a matter of perspective here and certainly not about being looked at differently. Although, I'd be careful about the words "closed-off little world" when this thread is for BB users with a variety of "disabilities" or conditions (or not) to submit their own responses about the idea of creating a subforum that covers accessbility issues for future BB phones. The creation of a subforum is not the equivalent of having a "closed-off little world." You don't have to have a "disability" or condition to speak up or even propose ideas or suggestions in an accessibility issue subforum should it ever come about. This is, after all, a way to help RIM hopefully improve their BB phones even further.

[jsconyers]

Originally Posted by Grogg

You don't have to have a "disability" or condition to speak up or even propose ideas or suggestions in an accessibility issue subforum should it ever come about.

You are absolutely correct. But look at it the other way, too. Nothing is preventing those with a "disability" from posting in the other subforums.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by jsconyers

Nothing is preventing those with a "disability" from posting in the other subforums.

Exactly... what we've said in the other thread.

[Grogg]

Originally Posted by jsconyers

You are absolutely correct. But look at it the other way, too. Nothing is preventing those with a "disability" from posting in the other subforums.

Under the "accessibility" subforum and not about "disability" per se.

Now, how many discussions were there under the " accessibility" topic thread ? Or are they sprinkled all over the place and not under one roof? Instead of searching one can simply go to the "accessibility subforum" section and find something they were looking for. I'm bringing this up only because addressing accessbility needs seem to be RIM's goal lately.

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by JSanders

Meanwhile, dc, why are you dissing the Polish?

LOL