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And yet libraries have to meet disability access requirements. If you don't have minimum standards for accessibility, you perpetuate a two-class system, and th

by bonaldi 10y ago

And yet libraries have to meet disability access requirements. If you don't have minimum standards for accessibility, you perpetuate a two-class system, and this is especially bad when it applies to learning — which disabled people can benefit disproportionately from. Using the legal system to achieve these ends appears to be the American Way so I won't comment on that.

extra88 10y ago
Libraries are not required to make every book available in Braille or in a digital format compatible with text to speech software. That's considered an unreasonable burden on the library. It's highly unlikely that the complainants went directly to the Civil Rights Division without talking to Berkeley first, that's not how these things go. Frankly, it's preferable for the DoJ to be involved because a problem in this area is a lack of specific regulation and guidance to schools on how exactly to interpret the strong but vague language of the law. If the University just quietly works it out with individuals or a group, that's going to be a lot less helpful to making all educational institutions more accessible.
wtbob 10y ago
> If you don't have minimum standards for accessibility, you perpetuate a two-class system Reality is a multi-class system. It's always and everywhere going to be more difficult to get things done when one lacks a capacity which most people have (e.g. sight, hearing or mobility); it's always and everywhere going to be easier to get things done when one possesses a capacity which most people lack (e.g. intelligence, strength or wealthy parents). Measures which aim to level the playing field really can't raise those who lack up: all they can do is lower those who have. But that leaves us all poorer in the end, because those who could have achieved did not. Harrison Bergeron was a cautionary tale, not a guidebook.
- bonaldi 10y ago
  What a hideous post. Lord of the Flies was also a cautionary tale. Because, despite your "I'm alright Jack" attitude, it generally turns out that society is a better place for everybody when inequality is at its lowest and when you try to ameliorate the worst effects of survival of the fittest. Nothing about mandating extra help to those who need it restricts the abilities of those who don't. You can still take the stairs, it'll be OK.

by bonaldi 10y ago

extra88 10y ago

Libraries are not required to make every book available in Braille or in a digital format compatible with text to speech software. That's considered an unreasonable burden on the library. It's highly unlikely that the complainants went directly to the Civil Rights Division without talking to Berkeley first, that's not how these things go. Frankly, it's preferable for the DoJ to be involved because a problem in this area is a lack of specific regulation and guidance to schools on how exactly to interpret the strong but vague language of the law. If the University just quietly works it out with individuals or a group, that's going to be a lot less helpful to making all educational institutions more accessible.

wtbob 10y ago

> If you don't have minimum standards for accessibility, you perpetuate a two-class system Reality is a multi-class system. It's always and everywhere going to be more difficult to get things done when one lacks a capacity which most people have (e.g. sight, hearing or mobility); it's always and everywhere going to be easier to get things done when one possesses a capacity which most people lack (e.g. intelligence, strength or wealthy parents). Measures which aim to level the playing field really can't raise those who lack up: all they can do is lower those who have. But that leaves us all poorer in the end, because those who could have achieved did not. Harrison Bergeron was a cautionary tale, not a guidebook.

bonaldi 10y ago
What a hideous post. Lord of the Flies was also a cautionary tale. Because, despite your "I'm alright Jack" attitude, it generally turns out that society is a better place for everybody when inequality is at its lowest and when you try to ameliorate the worst effects of survival of the fittest. Nothing about mandating extra help to those who need it restricts the abilities of those who don't. You can still take the stairs, it'll be OK.