Greetings,
here is an article I wrote on this subject (among other things, it
mentions one of the things that prompted me to write it, that is a
thread on this list):
From the article:
"What is the real issue? The way the software was developed and
distributed, or the way it limits or protects my rights?"
You're obviously welcome to forward the link to whoever it may
concern. Especially associations of disabled users. It would be great
to have them and all FSS supporters speak directly to each other
about these issues.
Shold any initiative come out of such a dialogue, please let me know!
Thanks for your time,
Marco
End forwarded message

Saturday 18 March 2006 05:01, M. Fioretti wrote:

"because of some policy based on obscure theories about software engineering."

wow, talk about completely under-selling and misrepresenting the case for Free
software and accessibility. if the Pietrosanti fellow in your article were to
think about the economic factors for a moment he may come to realize that
while accessibility in Free software still has some ways to go (like it does
on virtually every platform out there today, btw), it represents the best
chance for the disabled communities to get technology on their terms at costs
they can afford without being at the mercy of decisions made based purely on
economic metrics by for-profit companies.

if anything, people such as Pietrosanti should be lining up -behind- Free
software and not against it. unless, of course, they like the idea of the
disabled paying thousands of dollars they often don't have for minimally
functional technology that they have no ability to help make better.

i've seen and talked first hand with people with low or no vision involved
with Free software and am convinced that it's their best hope for the long
term.

Pietrosanti wants to ensure that open standards don't exclude disabled users
from jobs

this is a noble cause that deserves support, but he really ought to examine
the issue from a higher perspective than " isn't perfect" or "the
keyboard shortcuts are different" IMH

we also need to lobby for more public funding for research projects that
advance the development of the FSS accessibility infrastructure.

that would be very welcome.

Another
move that would solve a lot of problems could be to legally mandate that
only accessibility software that also works with and Linux
can be purchased with public money

i doubt this really would make much sense, to be honest. there's very little
portable accessibility software out there.