Spanky's Place :: BP301 Evaluation Comments

Category LS 2006

I received a package from IBM in last evening's mail. Inside were the evaluation forms from my Lotusphere 2006 session BP301 - Accessibility for the Visually Impaired with IBM Lotus Domino. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I ripped the package open and began to read what you folks had to say about me.

I've already posted the numbers scores; this entry is about what people actually took the time to write down. And from what most of you folks wrote, I've come to the conclusion that you like me! you really, really like me! (apologies to Sally Field).

After reading through all of the comments, my head has swelled up so much I think I need to buy a new hat. What follows is a sampling of what some of you had to say:

OMG! Everyone (Not just Domino folks) needs this session. This effects everyone.

It's very obvious that Devin has been speaking & teaching for a long time.

most educational session I have been to

This is a VI (Visually Impaired -devin) presentation -you had a VI person in the audience & did not describe the "mouse" you held up. -"One of these". Talk about & show more adaptive technology available. ....Technologies -show to sighted & describe. -I'm taking this person's comments to heart, and will definitely pay attention to this next time. For those of you who were not in the session, during the session I held up a mouse and was explaining to the audience that it is a useless piece of equipment for people who are Visually Impaired. I referred to it several times as "one of these" while shaking it about to get people's attention -but I never identified it as a mouse. So, the VI folks in my audience had absolutely no idea what I was referring to. Yes, I am aware of the irony. -devin

Great Job!

He was great!!

Would make a good JumpStart so the session could be longer & more in depth

How about Notes app or Java accessibility info?

Great subject. More people should know about this.

Needs a longer (double?) session

ADA is important, however does not stop at just websites or programming. Customer support should also be included....Extend to supporting customers with disabilities. Obviously there are new functions and features for the CS reps also. Not everyone is a developer. Very good points, thank you. -devin

I've designed with accessibility in mind for years & I still learned something. It would have been nice to divide it up into 2 sessions to be able to hear all of the info....would like just a session showing the tools/devices folks use, & one of tips.

Yes, we need more information like this. Thank you.

Great job. More sessions on this topic would be nice.

This was extremely useful. Raised my consciences of the issues. Appreciate examples of what to do....Best session I have attended!

Our organization knows we have to do this, but didn't have a clear way to start. The 12 tips five me a place to start. A live Demo of JAWS should be in the kiosk at registration. I don't know if IBM will go for that, but perhaps they could be convinced to set up a demo of IBM Home Page Reader. -devin

Incidentally, for those of you who are interested, JAWS is a screen reader software used by many Visually Disabled people.

To everybody who took the time to attend my session, thank you, I am humbled that you came to listen to what I had to say. To everybody who took the time to write down a comment, thank you, I am honored and grateful for you comments and criticisms. To everybody who has put up with my narcissism about this, thank you for your patience.

And now I'll finish this entry with my very favorite comment of all. Under the question Would you recommend this speaker for upcoming IBM Lotus technical events?, somebody (with beautiful, Aerodynamically Curvaceous handwriting) wrote: