The path to accessibility has been very long with minimal results. Can
I as a blind Mac/Windows user pick up a copy of every version of Pro
Tools and use it as a sighted person would? Are there scripts? What
results have you presented for Tiger users? Where was the beta test?
Now that Leopard has been released, where is the Leopard accessible
version of Pro Tools? If I am re missed in my statement or questions
then please correct me. If I can't pick up a accessible copy today,
then how much longer should we wait? What they need is a Class Action
suit to bring accessibility into the DNA of there software. Please
don't tell me about barriers and how much work has been put into
making this accessible if I can't buy a copy right now that works with
the Mac running Leopard. I like the efforts started back in 1992, but
it is 2008 and a change must come. Accessibility must be in developers
mind from the ground up. If Apple can develop a OS to run on Intel
chips from the ground up, then surely the hottest, best selling
professional audio company can do it as well. Lets be real when it
comes to what we want. It takes 2 seconds for a person to change his
or her mind and make a change. Evadentataly someone isn't talking to
the right person because after 16 years of talking and petitioning we
should be able to test this product with a download or a disc right
now. My question to you on list is, can we?
On Jan 8, 2008, at 2:59 PM, Rick Boggs wrote:
Attention all audio enthusiasts and engineers interested in using
Pro Tools. In light of the recent plea transmitted to this list, I
am compelled to clarify the very important history and ongoing
advocacy efforts on behalf of blind Pro Tools users. Please
consider this information before taking any action called for in
the recent post to this list.
Many of you are aware of the proven track record that I have in
working with Digidesign to make Pro Tools accessible for blind
users. In fact, for several years, Digidesign published a story
about our successful work in this area on their web site. For
those who don't know, in 1992 I initiated a dialog with the
leadership at Digidesign about possible accessibility for blind
users. By 1994, I successfully arranged a test at the Digidesign
lab which determined that outSPOKEN, the Mac screen reader at the
time, would NOT function with Pro Tools. Specifically, the Mac
would not even boot properly while both outSPOKEN and Pro Tools
were loaded on the machine. However, through respectful,
professional, assertive communication, I was pleased to find that
Digidesign voluntarily made changes to a "system init" file which
resolved the conflict and allowed blind users to access Pro Tools.
The change was made with the launch of the next generation of the
Pro Tools software at that time and appeared simultaneously with
other improvements to the software.
Since then, I launched the "BlindProducers.com" web site and made
special arrangements with the Digidesign sales department and a Los
Angeles vendor to be able to sell Pro Tools systems to blind
individuals with an appropriate package and sufficient support to
make use of Pro Tools realistic for blind users. I facilitated the
purchase of Pro Tools for blind clients of the department of
rehabilitation after they in fact purchased my own system. I even
later hired blind audio engineers in my studio to work as Pro Tools
engineers. Digidesign is well aware of all of these facts. Jerry
Halatyn and I arranged to meet in person with the product
development team at Digidesign and demonstrated how blind users
interacted with Pro Tools 5.1.3 versus what the barriers are for
using Pro Tools 6.0 and later. We have established a rapport with
key leadership at Digidesign over the years and are working to help
them resolve some SIGNIFICANT technical barriers to accessibility.
We can discuss those technical details on this list at a later time.
In the interest of preserving the good will at Digidesign, and with
respect for their past record of making necessary accomodations, we
ask that all interested audio enthusiasts and professionals allow
us to continue to pursue the existing path toward accessibility for
Pro Tools.
Nobody has a greater interest in finding a resolution than myself
or Jerry since both of us earn a living exclusively by making
recordings with or Pro Tools systems which are now quite old and
out of date.
Please note that rather than bombarding some clerk at Digidesign
with separate and random expressions of frustration, Jerry and I
organized a public display of support for a resolution with the Pro
Tools Petition at www.ProToolsPetition.org which did render a
response from Digidesign.
We ask that all brainstorming on this subject be done in an open
forum and that NO ACTION be taken without careful consideration of
the history and progress made thus far.
Why not stick with what has worked folks? Ask yourselves how much
you really know about what the technical problems are that face
Digidesign this time around. I assure you the barriers are
significant.
Rick Boggs
