Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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May 19, 2009

The Mic Is On: Glenda Watson Hyatt Is Talking About Accessibility

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:57 pm

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

With Guest Host Glenda Watson Hyatt




Watch Glenda’s Video From SOBCon09

How POUR Is Your Blog?

Blogs need to be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust.

Join us tonight and bring links and your questions to add to the discussion.

The rules are simple — be nice.

Do be nice. :)

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?





Filed under SOB Business, Successful Blog | 194 Comments »




C'mon. Let's talk!

194 Comments to “The Mic Is On: Glenda Watson Hyatt Is Talking About Accessibility”

  1. May 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Liz!

  2. May 19th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    Wow just saw you message at FB
    The video is great you look stylish

  3. May 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda who? ;-)

  4. May 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Suzie, thanks!

  5. May 19th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Joe. ;)

    Did you have a chance to try TextAloud?

  6. May 19th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
    Amy said

    GLENDA! I’m here but from my iPhone… So this could be interesting. :-)

  7. May 19th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    am i on the right page? this is great Blogs need to be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust.

    I will have to see how my keyboard works
    and my blog is probably totally unaccessable

  8. May 19th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
    Bean said

    Hello all, trying to stay awake enough to benefit from this tonight.

  9. May 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Amy! Hmm, accessibility of the iPhone, another great topic.

  10. May 19th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Yes Suzie, you’re on the right page. So, how POUR is your blog?

  11. May 19th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, I looked at the site and read their specs but haven’t bought it.
    So far, Zamzar seems to work for me (and it’s free). :-)

  12. May 19th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
    Bean said

    Suzie, you are definitely on the right page and don’t forget to download Glenda’s ebook on POUR at http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2009/how-pour-is-your-blog/

  13. May 19th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey everybody!
    I’m home and alive!!

  14. May 19th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Welcome Bean, good to have some back up. My thumb could be a stub by night’s end.

  15. May 19th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Hey Liz, welcome home!

  16. May 19th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    Maybe you need to assess it for me.abundancehighway.com prbably very pour as it has gremlins from too many plugins etc

    My new ones should be better
    http://lawofattractioninaction.tv and http://divinedeliberateattractor.com

  17. May 19th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
    Bean said

    iPhone is inaccessible to me, my shaky fingers slide and wiggle all over that touch screen. I need specific keys with ridges to help hold my fingers in place

  18. May 19th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
    Amy said

    iPhone is not all that accessible!

  19. May 19th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, I’ll check out Zamzar. Which voices do they use?

  20. May 19th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
    Bean said

    Glad you are home safe and sound and ready to rock Liz.

  21. May 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Off topic a bit, but it’s about food…
    Had London Broil, Corn and Mac salad.
    Best of all had Toasted Marshmallow’s for the first time in forever! :-)
    (Back to topic)

  22. May 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Oh, did I mention that it was all on the GRILL? ;-)

  23. May 19th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
    Amy said

    Bean, my hands aren’t all that shaky and it still isn’t all that easy. Glenda tried typing on mine at sobcon. She did better than I do, didn’t ya Glenda? ;-)

  24. May 19th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    re the iPhone – Des just sent me this cool link http://www.mobileuserexperience.com/mexdesign/?p=120

    I think it could benefit many, particularly if its customizable.

  25. May 19th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
    Amy said

    Hey Liz. Didn’t know you were gone. Sorry, I’m like 20 comments behind! :-)

  26. May 19th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, yes, using the iPhone was tricky, so small.

  27. May 19th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, I’ve just used the default “guy” voice. I guess cause I’m a guy.;-)
    They do have a paid version with more choices, but you know me, I’m like a bird… cheep, cheep, cheep! :-)

  28. May 19th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, your first roasted marshmallow? Congrats! Next step: smores!

  29. May 19th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, cheap but not easy, remember that!

  30. May 19th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    :-)

  31. May 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
    Bean said

    Expense is an important consideration. There are some very expensive tools on the market to help make our sites more accessible. Thank goodness there are also a number of free and low cost services available as well.

  32. May 19th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #16 Suzie, yes, many plugins can be a problem in terms of accessibility. Plugin developers are another group I’d love to work with.

  33. May 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
    Bean said

    So, I am curious what to people see as the biggest obstacles in ensuring that their blogs are accessible as possible?

    Knowing what the obstacles are?
    Captioning video and images?
    Reading levels?
    working with different media devices? or…?

  34. May 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
    Christa M. Miller said

    Good evening everyone! Second week in a row I made it! ;)

  35. May 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Bean, which tools do you like?

  36. May 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
    Amy said

    Thanks for that link Glenda! Say, when is your jury duty???

  37. May 19th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, how do you get the text within the videso? Is that a part of TextAloud?

  38. May 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Welcome Christa, I’m glad you made it.

  39. May 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
    pete s. said

    Hi, I’m pete, just poking muh nose in to see what I can absorb. I wandered about at Glenda’s site yesterday? day before yesterday? well, read about POUR, downloaded the ebook for a hopefully-soon restart at blogging. Thanks for pointing out the accessibility issues.

  40. May 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    @Bean just going to do that

    @ Liz where have you been. i must let you know someone has requested you a a person to be heard on my LOA talk show!

    http://budurl.com/LOAtalkshow this is the survey

  41. May 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
    Amy said

    Bean, captioning other peoples videos is hard for me. I usually have someone do it for me, because it is so frustrating.

  42. May 19th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda is our new rock star! So tell us, Glenda, how has your life changed lately?

  43. May 19th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, I played my “physical infirmity” card for jury duty.

  44. May 19th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
    Bean said

    I will be honest I haven’t found tools that really rock my world yet. Part of it is probably my schedule is so booked that dealing with the learning curve of several tools is daunting. It is part of the reason that I am here today, to learn more about tools that others are using and work for them.

  45. May 19th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #37 Joe, I use Camtasia to add captions to videos. Its tedious but very necessary!

  46. May 19th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
    Amy said

    Glenda, you cheated! Hehehe. No jury will take me. It’s kind of funny.

  47. May 19th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    Amy said

    Bean, what kind of tools are you looking for?

  48. May 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    Christa M. Miller said

    #44 Bean, I’m in the same boat. I’m just now getting into the content sharing stuff after having been mainly familiar with blogs and Twitter… and only because they fit client needs…

  49. May 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, I find it tedious just making my stupid little weekly vids, that’s why I include the outline I started with. So people can read what the vid is about instead of listening to me. ;-)

  50. May 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    Bean said

    I was looking over my notes from SOBCon and I thought someone had a free captioning option other than the new feature at You tube but I can’t remember it nor read my own writing!

    Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRS8MkLhQmM for a great example on the importance of captioning videos

  51. May 19th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #42 Li, much more action on my blog!

    The other night I was thinking: if you ask me to present next year, how the hell am I going to top this year?

    I’m amazed by how hungry bloggers are for this information!

  52. May 19th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
    Amy said

    Bean, I sometimes use overstream.net. You might want to check it out. Karen told me about it a while ago.

  53. May 19th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    Darrell said

    Hi everyone

  54. May 19th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Darrell,
    How’s our Glenda these days?

  55. May 19th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.” ha!

  56. May 19th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi dear, err, Darrell!

  57. May 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Links! Where are the Links to all these great things???
    Ok, I’ll start Zimzam For free text to voice up to 100MB

  58. May 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
    Bean said
  59. May 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
    Amy said

    Are you two sitting next to each other typing? Hehehe

  60. May 19th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Sorry that Zamzar, :-( but the link will work!

  61. May 19th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, thanks for stepping in with overstream.net. There’s also CaptionTube in beta – has anyone tried it yet?

  62. May 19th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
    Amy said

    Bean I tried but couldn’t figure it out :-/

  63. May 19th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, no, we are in our separate offices!

  64. May 19th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    So Glenda,
    What three things should everyone know …

  65. May 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
    Darrell said

    #54 she is fine, working hard but is seeing the big picture.

  66. May 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Darrell, Glenda,
    Two offices … you’re rich in real estate!!

  67. May 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
    Amy said

    No Glenda I haven’t tried that yet.

  68. May 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Darrell,
    Do you see anything changing?

  69. May 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    There are several nifty free toolbars for testing accessibility, links are in my ebook available at http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2009/how-pour-is-your-blog/

  70. May 19th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    will work through ebook- have to go will be back later

    Hi Darrell

  71. May 19th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
    Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley said

    Greetings all

  72. May 19th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
    Darrell said

    #68 I think (my thought only)she has a clearer vision of what she wants. She is great

  73. May 19th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Great observation, Darrell!

  74. May 19th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
    Amy said

    Hi Darrell! Give Glenda a hug for me. I am going through Glenda withdrawal. :-)

  75. May 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Kevin! Welcome!

  76. May 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
    Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley said

    I’m at Minneapolis airport awaiting plane & internet not working well. Bye until next week, sorry

  77. May 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #64 Wow, that’s such a broad question, Liz.

    1. Be aware that not everyone uses the computer the same way.
    2. People perceive info in various ways. Make info available in different formats or so that your readers can easily convert into different formats.
    3. The more your readers have control, the more access they have.

  78. May 19th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Miss you too, Amy!

  79. May 19th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
    Amy said

    Glenda, one of these days I’m gonna come visit! Then you’ll be sorry :-)

  80. May 19th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    You’d never be sorry if Amy came to visit. We know that.

  81. May 19th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    What are your burning questions about blog accessibility? What limitations are you facing in making your blog accessible?

    Personally, I’m finding the blog’s theme has a great impact on accessibility (or inaccessibility), yet not all bloggers know [or want to] muck about with their theme, and some platforms lock out bloggers from their themes.

  82. May 19th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
    Amy said

    I would teach Faith all kinds of new games ;-)

  83. May 19th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, you’re most welcomed any time!

  84. May 19th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    #glenda is Thesis compatible as I am shifting to that as is @deswalsh

  85. May 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
    Christa M. Miller said

    #81 I would agree with that, Glenda. I want my WP theme to reflect readers, and it does, and I do worry that a more generic theme would bore them or not get them visually stimulated to want to stick around. If you’re Chris Brogan you can use Thesis because you have such a wide audience, you know?

    At the same time, there are a lot of former cops with disabilities so… I can’t really say “my readers don’t have disabilities.” Maybe the active ones don’t. But how can I say there are no retirees reading?

    It’s a very fine line to walk, anyway.

  86. May 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
    Amy said

    Glenda, I have trouble with editing code to fix anything beyond font color or size. I have to get people to fix things frquently after I break them. The theme does make a difference. Might help if I knew more about code ;-)

  87. May 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Amy, a game besides “paper”? Yippee! Ah, here she comes! See if I can play paper and host open mic night. Talk about multi-tasking!

  88. May 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, what are some of the specific tools people use to ACCESS or try to access sites on the web?
    Knowing that may help in finding programs to assist in accessibility.

  89. May 19th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #84 Suzie, I haven’t looked at Thesis theme yet. Apparently its very customizable but I don’t know how accessible it is. I’m curious to hear more tho.

  90. May 19th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
    Amy said

    I would like to try out a reader that blind folks use so I can hear what they hear. (Wonder if I’ll be able to hear it?) What do deafblind folks use?

    I think it would be helpful to know what to fix if I could experience what they experience.

  91. May 19th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    it is the simplest one I have seen so far, Des think better than Revolution etc

    It is very clean as well as customizable

  92. May 19th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Christa, excellent point – you never know what disabilities your readers may have. And, with more seniors online, vision and mobility impairments are an issue.

  93. May 19th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
    Bean said

    it is unfortunate that many themes will advertise as being XHTML and CSS compliant but I have never seen one promoted as being accessible. Wonder what would happen if we started asking that question on theme forums and comment sections?

    The actual accessibility varies a lot across themes. I think that is due to ignorance about the importance and what it entails. It is often much more efficient to create an accessible theme than it is to modify an existing one.

  94. May 19th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
    Amy said

    Thesis is user friendly to a point. But you have to be a better coder than I am to fix certain things.

  95. May 19th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    I like the Thesis dashboard, but I’ve never had to live with it.

  96. May 19th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #88 Joe, people with disabilities use a range of assistive technologies from text-to-speech screen readers, magnification programs, onscreen keyboards, various switchs, sip n puff devices and the list goes on.

  97. May 19th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Amy said

    Time for me to go. Thanks and good night Glenda and everyone :-)

  98. May 19th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #90 Amy, people who are deafblind would likely use a refreshable Braille display.

  99. May 19th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
    Bean said

    Night Amy

  100. May 19th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thanks for coming and contributing, Amy!

  101. May 19th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #93 I hear ya on that, Bean!

  102. May 19th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    #96 That’s part of the problem for me Glenda, where to start!
    I think there are a lot of us who WANT to be fully accessible, but don’t have any idea what direction to go in to achieve that.

  103. May 19th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Night, Amy!
    Thanks for iphoning it in!!

  104. May 19th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    It sounds like how people with disabilities use computers and finding or creating accessible themes are big issues. Any other blog accessibility issues?

  105. May 19th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    What worries you most about accessibility and the future?

  106. May 19th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #102 Joe, so would a step-by-step guide that led you through the process help?

  107. May 19th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
    Bean said

    Joe,
    A good place to start is with the toolbar links that Glenda mentioned earlier and provides in her e-book
    “There are several nifty free toolbars for testing accessibility, links are in my ebook available at http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2009/how-pour-is-your-blog/

    That will give you a good idea on where the obstacles to accessibility are on your blog, then you can create a plan to correct.

  108. May 19th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
    Bean said

    A step by step guide would be appreciated by a lot of people, I bet.

    You didn’t have enough on your to-do list Glenda!

  109. May 19th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, yeah, but I think it would be quite a big book to explain ALL that needs to be done?

  110. May 19th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz,
    The web began as text-based, which most people could access. But now more and more mediums and aps are being added, which are shutting out people. Rather than being more inclusive, its becoming more exclusive. In a time when the web is more necessary for education, work, and entertainment, accessibility needs to be in the forefront.

  111. May 19th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #108 Bean, it is on my mind…

  112. May 19th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #110,
    Glenda, that’s what I’m seeing too. I’m working with a special education company that’s worried about the same things.

  113. May 19th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #109 Joe, if I could simplify the process, would that interest you?

  114. May 19th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Exactly, Liz. As Karen said, with all of these videos and podcasts, she is worried her kids will be shut out and become more isolated.

  115. May 19th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Yes Glenda, it would. And probably about a million other Bloggers who want to reach everyone interested in their content. Words, Video, Audio everything.

  116. May 19th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, check out http://www.workinfonet.bc.ca/webaccessguides/accessguide/index.htm for a starting point. Its not blog specific though – that’s in the works!

  117. May 19th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
    Brooke said

    Hey all! Klondikes already passed around?

  118. May 19th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    “about a million other Bloggers” – that would be awesome, Joe! ;)

  119. May 19th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Brooke, help yourself to a klondike bar!

  120. May 19th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Have I missed answering any questions?

  121. May 19th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    You’re being fabulous!!

  122. May 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
    Brooke said

    Thank you Glenda! I am trying to catch up myself!

  123. May 19th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #114
    Glenda,
    I’m with you I want us all to get the most out using the web, It’s an awesome tool for connecting our minds and our hearts with meaning.

  124. May 19th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Thanks Glenda, ironically, the print is too small to read on the PDF version. Guess I need glasses.%-)

  125. May 19th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    So true, Liz. Thank you so much for opening SOBCon and your blog to this topic. The first step is to create an awareness for the need for accessibility.

  126. May 19th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Oh sorry, Joe. Which pdf? What size font is comfortable for you?

  127. May 19th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
    Bean said

    I agree that awareness is the all important first step. Kudos to Liz for the platform and Glenda for being the rockstar with the message

  128. May 19th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    PDFs are another accessibility issue. For some, PDF = pretty darn frustrating!

  129. May 19th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    The link you just gave me for the Access guide.
    \

  130. May 19th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thanks Bean! ;)

  131. May 19th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Sorry to be late to the party. Have you talked about seesmic yet

  132. May 19th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Larry,
    Nope, no Seesmic conversation directly.

  133. May 19th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, is the html version better? I believe the text sizing is relative so you can enlarge it.

  134. May 19th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    I think we are a connected as we want to be. We have the technology. It is a matter of who you want to speak with, and why, isn’t it?

  135. May 19th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Larry, what are your thoughts about Seesmic?

  136. May 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Are we in a tech talk, or why we want to talk to other people and what is the benefit to us?

  137. May 19th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Seesmic is an awesome technology that makes this conversation live. Actually Liz I went to a demonstration of this technology and this guy would be a great guest on your show. He is fabulous and adds another element to the conversation.

    No, I don’t use seesmic

  138. May 19th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Yes Glenda, it is better, but it is only the table of contents. gotta click the link to see the contents and back to get to the next chapter.
    Not complaining, just an observation. ;-)

  139. May 19th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Larry, we’re talking about accessibility so that everyone can participate in the conversation.

  140. May 19th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Philippe Lejune, I am sure I spelled his name wrong. Anyway he uses this reaching out and discussion genre and takes it to an art form. For instance he gathered all the talk about one subject and put it into a grid and you could mouse over the conversation based on the static image and see what each person had to say about the same subject. It was fascinating.

    And for me a time suck I can’t afford, damn work.

  141. May 19th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Larry,
    I’ve got a couple of good friends at Seesmic. They are doing some awesome things. I wish we’d all get our head around the power of communicating boldly. I love you for bringing that forward.

  142. May 19th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, the navbar on top doesn’t do it for you?

  143. May 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Glenda, this is total accessability and therefore to me totally distracting. I am not promoting seesmic, I don’t even use it.

  144. May 19th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Larry, yes, there are many distractions online!

  145. May 19th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
    Bean said

    Larry #134
    “I think we are a connected as we want to be”
    I have to disagree, at least speaking for myself. I feel that I miss out on a lot of content that is only available on audio and video.

  146. May 19th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, this is the only navbar I see in the HTML
    [Skip] [Contents] [Glossary] [References]
    Not chapter to chapter.

  147. May 19th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Glenda, I just watched your Viddler presentation, awesome. There are so many ways to communicate and I am totally with you now. As I mentioned, I just jumped in. Sorry

  148. May 19th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    I am struggling with all the disparate groups I need to communicate with and how to distribute the content. I use a variety of tools that seem to work against each other. For instance today I was using FriendFeed and somehow got all my FF links directly texted to me. Yikes. Who needs a direct FF link on your cell phone?

  149. May 19th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    NO problem, Larry. Everyone is welcomed!

  150. May 19th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Accessibility is fascinating to me. In the old days you had to call someone. You spoke to one person. Now you post something and people from around the world can read and comment. It is amazing and the single most communication altering change.

  151. May 19th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, if I correctly recall, the next chapter is provided in the navbar – or it SHOULD be. ;)

  152. May 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Larry,
    The first time I talked to deaf mom via email, I asked her to call me. She said, “Yeah, have the deaf woman call you!!”

  153. May 19th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Bean, you mentioned you are feeling left out. Sometimes we just have to do other things and need to walk away from all the connections. Like some child who really needs to use the bathroom, but doesn’t want to leave the playground.
    I think the more important thing to consider is who do you want to talk to, listen to and why. Do that, ignore the rest.

  154. May 19th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Yes, Larry, it is amazing! And, you are touching upon an interesting point – accessibility means different things to different people.

  155. May 19th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda, Bean, Larry,
    I like being able to walk away, BUT I want it to be my choice.

  156. May 19th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Liz, I have a similar story. I was sent to a house to gather a testimonial. The company was a utility, I had worked with them for years. They sent me alone. They wanted me to take pictures of the woman saving electricity. She was blind, she never used the lights. The company never checked it out.

    It turned out wonderful because the woman had such a great sense of herself. We, together came up with an idea that told the story.

  157. May 19th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Glenda, do you have a blog I can follow?

  158. May 19th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #153 Larry, but if you can’t hear the conversation or can’t speak, its difficult to participate. That’s where accessibility comes in.

  159. May 19th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #155 Most definitely, Liz! ;)

  160. May 19th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    This is only my second visit to open mic, what I love about it is that it is different than other conversations, tweets, plurks and the like. It is so civil. I am going to be quiet and listen for a while. I am feeling a bit like the loud mouthed boy who doesn’t shut up. I have much to learn.

  161. May 19th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Bean, do you have any last words of wisdom on accessibility? ;)

  162. May 19th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Larry,
    You add so much to the conversation. No loud mouth ideas coming from your direction.

  163. May 19th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    #158 So right Glenda, accessibility is different when you are limited in some physical, technological or emotional manner. And yet, I do think we find our peeps, so to speak. Limitations abound, but for some the task is more daunting. What can I do to help?

  164. May 19th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
    Bean said

    Liz, thank you it is true, it is about choice and it is also about getting work done. If I need to research something, and I have to go through 15 links to find that information that is text based that is frustrating.
    I encounter it most on news sites but also from a lot of people that I respect and want to learn more from. It wasn’t so bad when video/audio were treated as a bonus but more and more it is being used as a substitute for text.
    The more ways that you choose to share your content with your potential audience, the more people that will be able to benefit from your content.

  165. May 19th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    The more ways that you choose to share your content with your potential audience, the more people that will be able to benefit from your content.

  166. May 19th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
    Bean said

    People are only loud mouths when they talk without listening. Questions are welcome here.

  167. May 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Glenda, I am a storyteller. My lot in life is to gather and share. This is what I mean when I ask what can I do to help others who feel accessibility is a hurdle. Frankly, to me, you seem to be a beacon of light in this realm. I am so pleased to have come in tonight.

  168. May 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    Bean said

    and Liz has created such a safe and welcoming place to ask questions and to discuss varying view points.

  169. May 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Bean. Well said, perfectly stated ethic of this site!

  170. May 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Wise words, Liz! ;)

  171. May 19th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    I took them directly from Bean!

  172. May 19th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    #164 Bean, a shudder of recognition went down my spine when I read this. You are so right that video is taking the place of written material. I bemoan this myself even though my living is based on the video side. Our research shows that the more intelligent, or higher up in the corp world you are, the less likely you are to watch a video. I so hope I am not dumbing down the world. Drat, another worry. hehe

  173. May 19th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
    Bean said

    Sorry bad thunderstorm just rolled in, I need to log off.
    Thanks Liz and Glenda and everyone else that participated tonight.

  174. May 19th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Glenda!
    You’ve been fabulous and you’ve made tonight so valuable.

  175. May 19th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Good night, Bean!
    Thanks for ooming!

  176. May 19th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Liz is the greatest.

  177. May 19th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thank you, Larry. I can imagine your stories are rich and valuable to those who hear them. By presenting those stories in various formats, such as by adding captions to videos, more people can enjoy your stories.

  178. May 19th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    #177 Glenda, thank you so much for realizing I need to, and can do more. I appreciate this counsel. Every time I come here I learn. Thank you again.

  179. May 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Bean, thanks for coming!

  180. May 19th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Larry, feel free online grab my ebook at http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2009/how-pour-is-your-blog/ for more on blog accessibility.

    Thanks for joining us tonight.

  181. May 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    When we write our own little ditties
    Or try our best with audios quit pithy

    Along with Videos with sounds to be heard
    Not everyone can hear, not nary a word

    Although we want all people to join us
    Not everyone can get on the community bus

    I’m glad there is Glenda and Bean around
    And Deaf Mom and our Liz to make me a clown

    And realize that even some of our very best friends
    To hear us or see us or read our words depends

    On how we present our presents to them
    So they can enjoy what we give without making amends.

    Burma Shave

    Nite Liz
    Nite Glenda
    Nite All

  182. May 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    [Wonder if Joe will be back with a poem. I'm curious to see this one.]

  183. May 19th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
    pete s. said

    Thank you for putting on this open forum Liz and Glenda! I have saved notes and with your ebook, Glenda, and these I can at least do a much better job with my reconstruction.

  184. May 19th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    Joe will be back for sure. He won’t let you down.

  185. May 19th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
    Larry Lawfer said

    Thank you so much Glenda, Ijust signed up to read your blog. I appreciate your ebook. Stretching ourselves each day to learn more is it’s own reward. Thank you Liz for all you do for our community. PS. I am due in Chicago next month for a shoot, I hope we can meet up>

  186. May 19th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Ah, I spoke too soon.

    Good one, Joe. Thank you. And thank you for “getting it”!

    G’night Joe.

  187. May 19th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Pete!
    Thanks for letting us know you’re getting something of value.

  188. May 19th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
    pete s. said

    G’night folks, take care!

  189. May 19th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Good night, Joe,
    Sleepy swell!

  190. May 19th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thank you everyone for participating tonight. It has been a great conversation. I felt I was able to answer some questions that perhaps I didn’t answer at SOBCon.

    And thank you Liz for giving space for this issue.

    I’m going to go put my thumb on ice now!

  191. May 19th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    As always you were outstanding and successful. Thank you!

  192. May 19th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thanks Liz, I truly appreciate you providing the forum in which I can share my passion.

  193. May 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
    Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt » What Technologies Do People with Disabilities Use to Read Blogs? said

    [...] having the pleasure of hosting Tuesday’s Open Mic Night, where the topic was accessibility, one question asked was what technologies do people with [...]

  194. June 8th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
    Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt » Stuck in Batman’s Bathroom said

    [...] Culture smith Cheryl Smith kindly helped me with a Klondike Bar – the official snack of Liz Strauss’ Open Mic Nights. And, Chris Brogan and I shared a moment over a rum and coke. Quite a fulfilling networking [...]

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