Hi David, I've seen similar studies. Glad we're finally figuring that out. :)
> On Jul 11, 2016, at 11:53 PM, David Chittenden <dchitten...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Donna, > > I am seeing current studies which are demonstrating that younger girls > actually tend to have greater STEM aptitude compared with boys. Something > changes for most of them by the time they complete secondary school. This is > the subject of several current research studies. > > David Chittenden, MSc, MRCAA > Email: dchitten...@gmail.com <mailto:dchitten...@gmail.com> > Mobile: +64 21 2288 288 > Sent from my iPhone > > On 12 Jul 2016, at 15:16, Donna Goodin <doniado...@me.com > <mailto:doniado...@me.com>> wrote: > >> Hey Scott, >> >> First let me say that on a very fundamental level I agree with your post. >> But ... >> >> As a kid, I somehow sort of absorbed the fact that because I was blind, math >> and the sciences weren't for me. And this despite the fact that my dad was >> a computer guy, who spent lots of time and energy conveying to me how >> important tech would be for me.. Some of my earliest memories are of him >> bringing home those old computer punch cards and magnetic tapes for my >> brother and me to play with. I remember going with him into the office on >> Saturdays and seeing the computer, which was this great big behemoth that >> took up an entire room. I remember him teaching me base 2 at the dinner >> table. But once I got to school, my math and science teachers had no idea >> what to do with me. Classes were taught almost exclusively on the >> blackboard, and I was bored out of my mind. I grew up thinking I sucked at >> math, and it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I realized that I was >> actually pretty bloody good at it. Back in the 80s, I went out with this >> total computer geek. I was fascinated by all the stuff he was into, but >> neither he nor I knew how to make all that accessible to me. (And by that >> time, I actually owned a TSI Versabraille). I think that had I been born >> within the last 25 years, I actually would have chosen IT--or something >> related--as a career. Clearly something was different for you and John. >> Maybe it was innate intelligence, maybe there was a gender bias at play, >> maybe it was opportunity, I don't know. I do know from other posts I've >> seen from you that your parents seemed quite willing to think out of the >> box. I grew up in suburbia. My mom was 20 when she had me, my dad was 22. >> Having a blind kid pretty much rocked their young, limited world. I don't >> think my experience is unique. Whatever it was that jived for you guys, >> didn't carry over to lots of blind folks. >> >> So yes, it was a fluff piece. And yes, I wish they'd just treat blind folks >> like everyone else. But I also hope that there's a little Donna out there >> somewhere--or maybe little Donna's parents--who don't buy into those >> preconceived notions about what someone who's blind can or cannot do, and >> that someday 20 years from now, that little Donna finds herself at the heart >> of technological developments. >> >> Just an alternate perspective. >> Cheers, >> Donna >> >>> On Jul 11, 2016, at 9:32 PM, Scott Granados <sc...@qualityip.net >>> <mailto:sc...@qualityip.net>> wrote: >>> >>> So here’s my problem with the article. >>> >>> I think it’s fantastic what this young lady is doing, I absolutely support >>> her efforts. I also am thrilled that apple hired someone from our >>> community for the design side. I’m also happy Google does the same now and >>> there’s discussion of teaching children to code. >>> >>> My problem is with the reporter. These articles are so damn fluff happy. >>> Look at Apple saving the day for blind people. Like it’s something new. >>> Never mind you John and I built parts of the networks this reporter >>> publishes on.:) The article leads the reader to believe that blind people >>> could only code until recently. This blind guy as a child started coding >>> 33+ years ago learning things like 6502 assembler, Apple Soft, PASCAL, then >>> C and so forth. We used apples or PCs or what ever to get it done and in >>> some ways have been directly or indirectly involved with the development of >>> computers since the very beginning. Real trail blazers like your self or >>> Ray Kurzweil building devices to help his child, certain musicians with >>> very deep pockets who brought some of the funding to the table, any blind >>> person at all who successfully landed a job and held it showing others in >>> our own little way we’re just people doing the same things that everyone >>> else does, try to help take care of your selves, families and participate >>> in our communities. >>> I guess part of me just wishes that instead of being singled out and >>> made to be some sort of something special we were just dealt with and >>> reflected on by reporters especially as just another part of society. Lest >>> I get way to NFB here:) but there’s something to be said for being lumped >>> in with everyone else.:) The special attention sometimes makes us seem >>> well special in the sense we’re not the norm, we’re almost untouchable and >>> separate to make a reference to a really unfortunate cultural label in >>> eastern societies. >>> The same thing happens with reporters who publish puff pieces on >>> artificial vision advances or medical advances that cure illnesses related >>> to blindness. I don’t know how many articles I’ve read where some gadget >>> is going to save us from our selves and totally make it all better. Things >>> ain’t that bad. What’s bad is convincing the public we need to be saved. >>> Maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy old man like I was afraid of when I >>> was young. >>> >>> Still, congratulations to this young lady but also congratulations to all >>> the other engineers at apple some of which are on this list. And >>> congratulations to you John and others who have made countless >>> contributions to technology in general. >>> >>> Ah well, what’s the expression, there’s no such thing as bad publicity? >>> Suppose that’s true. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Jul 11, 2016, at 2:29 PM, Jonathan C. Cohn <jon.c.c...@gmail.com >>>> <mailto:jon.c.c...@gmail.com>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Well, this is interesting story. I don't believe they mention anything >>>> about braille. But at least it shows there are people at Apple working >>>> on accessibility. >>>> http://mashable.com/2016/07/10/apple-innovation-blind-engineer/#RihiKu145Oqr >>>> >>>> <http://mashable.com/2016/07/10/apple-innovation-blind-engineer/#RihiKu145Oqr> >>>> >>>> This blind Apple engineer is transforming the tech world at only 22 >>>> >>>> Apple engineer Jordyn Castor has never been one for limitations. >>>> >>>> She was born 15 weeks early, weighing just under two pounds. Her >>>> grandfather could hold her in the palm of his hand, and could even slide >>>> his wedding ring along her arm and over her shoulder. Doctors said she had >>>> a slim chance of survival. >>>> >>>> It was Castor's first brush with limited expectations — and also the first >>>> time she shattered them. >>>> >>>> Castor, now 22, has been blind since birth, a result of her early >>>> delivery. But throughout childhood, her parents encouraged her to defy >>>> expectations of people with disabilities, motivating her to be >>>> adventurous, hands-on and insatiably curious. >>>> >>>> It was that spirit that led to her interact with technology, whether it >>>> was the desktop computer her family bought when she was in second grade, >>>> or the classroom computer teachers encouraged her to use in school. >>>> >>>> <>"I could help make technology more accessible for blind users." >>>> She says the adults in her life would often hand her a gadget, telling her >>>> to figure it out and show them how to use it. And she would. >>>> >>>> "I realized then I could code on the computer to have it fulfill the tasks >>>> I wanted it to," says Castor, whose current work focuses on enhancing >>>> features like VoiceOver for blind Apple users. "I came to realize that >>>> with my knowledge of computers and technology, I could help change the >>>> world for people with disabilities. >>>> >>>> "I could help make technology more accessible for blind users." >>>> >>>> Bringing a personal perspective to Apple innovation >>>> >>>> There's an often overlooked component of "diversity" in workplace >>>> initiatives — the need to include the perspectives of people with >>>> disabilities. >>>> >>>> Keeping tabs on the needs of the blind and low-vision community is a key >>>> component of Apple's innovation in accessibility. Castor is proof of how >>>> much that can strengthen a company. >>>> >>>> She was a college student at Michigan State University when she was first >>>> introduced to Apple at a Minneapolis job fair in 2015. Castor went to the >>>> gathering of employers, already knowing the tech giant would be there — >>>> and she was nervous. >>>> >>>> "You aren't going to know unless you try," she thought. "You aren't going >>>> to know unless you talk to them ... so go." >>>> >>>> <> >>>> >>>> >>>> Apple engineer Jordyn Castor poses for a headshot. Castor is a driving >>>> force behind accessibility of Apple products, especially for blind users. >>>> >>>> Image: Provided by Apple and Jordyn Castor >>>> >>>> Castor told Apple reps how amazed she was by the iPad she received as a >>>> gift for her 17th birthday just a few years earlier. It raised her passion >>>> for tech to another level — mainly due to the iPad's immediate >>>> accessibility. >>>> >>>> "Everything just worked and was accessible just right out of the box," >>>> Castor tells Mashable. "That was something I had never experienced before." >>>> >>>> <>"I'm directly impacting the lives of the blind community." >>>> Sarah Herrlinger, senior manager for global accessibility policy and >>>> initiatives at Apple, says a notable part of the company's steps toward >>>> accessibility is its dedication to making inclusivity features standard, >>>> not specialized. This allows those features to be dually accessible — both >>>> for getting the tech to more users, as well as keeping down costs. >>>> >>>> "[These features] show up on your device, regardless of if you are someone >>>> who needs them," Herrlinger tells Mashable. "By being built-in, they are >>>> also free. Historically, for the blind and visually impaired community, >>>> there are additional things you have to buy or things that you have to do >>>> to be able to use technology." >>>> >>>> At that job fair in 2015, Castor's passion for accessibility and Apple was >>>> evident. She was soon hired as an intern focusing on VoiceOver >>>> accessibility. >>>> >>>> As her internship came to a close, Castor's skills as an engineer and >>>> advocate for tech accessibility were too commanding to let go. She was >>>> hired full-time as an engineer on the accessibility design and quality >>>> team — a group of people Castor describes as "passionate" and "dedicated." >>>> >>>> "I'm directly impacting the lives of the blind community," she says of her >>>> work. "It's incredible." >>>> >>>> Innovation with blind users in mind >>>> >>>> Increased accessibility for all users is one of Apple's driving values, >>>> under the mantra <http://www.apple.com/diversity/> "inclusion inspires >>>> innovation." >>>> >>>> Herrlinger says the company loves what it makes, and wants what it makes >>>> to be available to everyone. She describes the need to continuously >>>> innovate with accessibility in mind as part of Apple's DNA. >>>> >>>> "Accessibility is something that is never-ending," Herrlinger says. "It >>>> isn't something where you just do it once, check that box and then move on >>>> to do other things." >>>> >>>> And it's a dedication that isn't going unnoticed by the blind community. >>>> On July 4, Apple was the recipient of the American Council of the Blind's >>>> Robert S. Bray Award <http://www.acb.org/PR-Apple-Bray-Award> for the >>>> company's strides in accessibility >>>> <http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/#vision> and continued dedication >>>> to inclusion-based innovation for blind users. >>>> >>>> <> >>>> >>>> >>>> Sarah Herrlinger, senior manager for global accessibility policy and >>>> initiatives at Apple, and Eric Bridges, executive director of the American >>>> Council of the Blind (ACB), pose with the Robert S. Bray award at ACB's >>>> national conference on July 4, 2016. >>>> >>>> Image: PRovided by Apple and ACB >>>> >>>> The company, for example, made the first touchscreen device accessible to >>>> the blind via VoiceOver. Recent announcements of Siri coming to Mac >>>> <http://mashable.com/2016/06/13/apple-wwdc-siri-mac/> this fall, and of >>>> newer innovations, like a magnifying glass feature for low-vision users, >>>> have continued the promise of improving the Apple experience for those who >>>> are blind and low vision. >>>> >>>> "The fact that we take the time to innovate in these ways is something new >>>> and different," Herrlinger says. "It was not the expected thing in the >>>> tech community." >>>> >>>> <>"[Accessibility] isn't something where you just do it once, check that >>>> box and then move on to do other things." >>>> Often, the success of such innovations depends on the input of the >>>> community — and employees like Castor provide irreplaceable first-hand >>>> insight into the tech experience for blind individuals. >>>> >>>> The most recent example of community-driven innovation can be found on the >>>> Apple Watch. During a meeting, Herrlinger explains, a person who sees >>>> could easily peer down at their watch to keep an eye on the clock. A >>>> person who is blind, however, hasn't had a way to tell time without >>>> VoiceOver. >>>> >>>> After confronting the conundrum, Apple solved the issue by making a >>>> feature that tells time through vibrations. The addition, Herrlinger says, >>>> is coming to watchOS 3 <http://www.apple.com/watchos-preview/> this fall. >>>> >>>> High-tech meets low-tech >>>> >>>> Castor says her own success — and her career — hinges on two things: >>>> technology and Braille. That may sound strange to many people, even to >>>> some who are blind and visually impaired. Braille and new tech are often >>>> depicted >>>> <http://www.brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge-homepage/news-room/711-even-with-technology-learning-braille-still-important-for-blind-students.html> >>>> as at odds with one another, with Braille literacy rates decreasing as >>>> the presence of tech increases. >>>> >>>> But many activists argue >>>> <http://www.acb.org/nebraska/extras/blind-still-rely-on-braille.html> that >>>> Braille literacy is the key to employment and stable livelihood for blind >>>> individuals. With more than 70% of blind people >>>> <https://nfb.org/braille-general> lacking employment, the majority of >>>> those who are employed — an estimated 80% — have something in common: They >>>> read Braille. >>>> >>>> <>"Braille allows me to know what the code feels like." >>>> For Castor, Braille is crucial to her innovative work at Apple — and she >>>> insists tech is complementary to Braille, not a replacement. >>>> >>>> "I use a Braille display every time I write a piece of code," she says. >>>> "Braille allows me to know what the code feels like." >>>> >>>> In coding, she uses a combination of Nemeth Braille — or "math Braille" — >>>> and Alphabetic Braille. Castor even says that with the heavy presence of >>>> tech in her life, she still prefers to read meeting agendas in Braille. >>>> >>>> "I can see grammar. I can see punctuation. I can see how things are >>>> spelled and how things are written out," she says. >>>> >>>> The technologies that Apple creates support her love of Braille, too — >>>> there are various modifications, like Braille displays >>>> <http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/braille-display.html> that can to >>>> plug into devices, to help her code and communicate. But Castor also often >>>> forgoes Braille displays, solely using VoiceOver to navigate her devices >>>> and read screens. >>>> >>>> <> >>>> A Braille display like this one, which is compatible with Apple products, >>>> allows blind users to navigate technology using Braille commands. >>>> >>>> Image: PRovided by Apple >>>> >>>> That autonomy of choice in accessibility, Apple says, is intentional. The >>>> company believes that the ability to choose — to have several tools at a >>>> user's disposal, whenever they want them — is key to its accessibility >>>> values. >>>> >>>> Giving back to the community >>>> >>>> Last week, Castor attended a conference hosted by the National Federation >>>> of the Blind <https://nfb.org/>, where she gave a speech telling her >>>> story. She says the impact that Apple has had on the blind community was >>>> extremely clear as soon as she stepped into the conference hall — just by >>>> listening to what was going on around her. >>>> >>>> "When I walk through the convention, I hear VoiceOver everywhere," she >>>> says. "Being able to give back through something that so many people use >>>> is amazing." >>>> >>>> Castor was recently able to use her presence and perspective at Apple to >>>> give back to a part of the community she's especially passionate about — >>>> the next generation of engineers. >>>> >>>> She was a driving force behind accessibility on Apple's soon-to-be >>>> released Swift Playgrounds <http://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds/>, an >>>> intro-to-coding program geared toward children. She's been working to make >>>> the program accessible to blind children, who have been waiting a long >>>> time for the tool, she says. >>>> >>>> "I would constantly get Facebook messages from so many parents of blind >>>> children, saying, 'My child wants to code so badly. Do you know of a way >>>> that they can do that?'" Castor says. "Now, when it's released, I can say, >>>> 'Absolutely, absolutely they can start coding.'" >>>> >>>> >>>> <> >>>> Promotional materials for Swift Playgrounds show how the program will work >>>> when released in fall. Users will code commands to make a character move >>>> throughout puzzle-like challenges. The program will use VoiceOver to be >>>> accessible to blind children. >>>> Image: Provided by Apple >>>> >>>> Castor says working on Swift Playgrounds has been an empowering >>>> experience, and her team has deeply valued her perspective on the >>>> VoiceOver experience for blind users. >>>> >>>> <>"[Blindness] does not define you or what you can do in life." >>>> She says the task-based, interactive app would have made a massive impact >>>> on her as a child. The program is, after all, a guided way of taking tech >>>> and figuring out what makes it tick — a virtual version of the hands-on >>>> curiosity adults instilled in her as a child. >>>> >>>> "It will allow children to dive into code," she says of the program. "They >>>> can use Swift Playgrounds right away out of the box; no modifications. >>>> Just turn on VoiceOver and be able to start coding." >>>> >>>> As someone who was always encouraged to challenge expectations, Castor >>>> says she has one simple message for the next generation of blind coders, >>>> like the children who will sit down with Swift Playgrounds in the fall. >>>> >>>> "Blindness does not define you," she says. "It's part of who you are as a >>>> person, as a characteristic — but it does not define you or what you can >>>> do in life." >>>> >>>> Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Best wishes, >>>> >>>> Jonathan Cohn >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>>> Visionaries list. >>>> >>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or >>>> if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the >>>> owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>>> >>>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara >>>> Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com >>>> <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> >>>> >>>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ >>>> <http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/> >>>> --- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >>>> <mailto:macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>> <mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>. >>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries >>>> <https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries>. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>> Visionaries list. >>> >>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>> or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>> >>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara >>> Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com >>> <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> >>> >>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ >>> <http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/> >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >>> <mailto:macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>> <mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries >>> <https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries>. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>. >> >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >> Visionaries list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara >> Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com >> <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/> >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >> <mailto:macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> <mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries >> <https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries>. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout >> <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>. > > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries > list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara > Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ > <http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/> > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > <mailto:macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > <mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries > <https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries>. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout > <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>. -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
