sight-impaired browsers (was: [svlug] Tax money at work)

[Derek Balling]

At 2:02 AM -0700 4/22/01, Karen Shaeffer wrote:
>The reality is that employment statistics for disabled folks, during the
>years prior to the ADA, would prove that most employers did not hire disabled
>people. And the further you go back in time--the harsher life was for the
>disabled. It's history, don't take my word for it. And that history was the
>motive force behind the movement to enact the ADA.

But that's only because the gov't in its infinite wisdom has decided 
"Hi, you're a business, and we don't like business, so why don't YOU 
shoulder the burden, even if your bottom line is already weak. And by 
the way, if you don't shitcan your bottom line at our demand, we'll 
put you out of business."

>There are good and bad disabled folks, just like in the general population.
>There are clearly disabled folks who have no character and who are
>attempting to exploit the ADA. But the vast majority of disabled folks
>respect the intent and spirit of the ADA. This vast majority do a good job
>and don't cost their employers very much, if anything.

But the bottom line is that they shouldn't be able to cost their 
employers a thing. If you can't see, and want a braille terminal, why 
should your potential employer be forced to splurge for one for you?

>The ADA has enabled millions of disabled folks to live life with dignity,
>enabling them to stand on their own feet and pay their own way in Life.

I think its clear that they actually subsidize their own feet by 
shifting the burden of "adaptation expense" onto the employer (who 
doesn't have a problem and doesn't NEED adaptation).

>  It's a small price to pay for the community.

Another small price to pay for the community is to simply permit the 
police to search your home at random. After all, if you would just 
sacrifice a little freedom there, you could have such a safer 
community.

And while we're at it, imagine the friendly society we could create 
if we were to stifle dissident groups like the KKK and not permit 
them to expose their stupidity for what it is.

We don't do that, because we respect peoples rights to prohibit 
search, to free speech, etc., ... except that we tend to ignore that 
if we say "hi, company, go spend money you can't afford to", then 
we're violating the same basic rights. Due process? Pshaw. It's for 
wimps.

>The macro-scale cost/benefit ratio
>is very very positive. And the sad truth is that it took the force of law to
>make it happen. The ADA is here to stay--as it should be.

The ADA is just as bad, in every respect, as the DMCA.

D

-- 
+---------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| dredd at megacity.org  | "Conan! What is best in life?"          |
|  Derek J. Balling   | "To crush your enemies, see them        |
|                     |    driven before you, and to hear the   |
|                     |    lamentation of their women!"         |
+---------------------+-----------------------------------------+