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Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso
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WELCOME.MSG
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1991-09-08
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Hi all!
It has taken a while to get the bugs ironed out, but I think we've made
it. What began as a small dream has taken wings and grown beyond my most
frenzied expectations. ADAnet (tm) is the international network of
disabled people. Presently we have nodes in Missouri, Maryland, New
Mexico, and Ontario, with nodes coming online within the month in New
York City, Toronto, Charlotte, Connecticut, et al. I am SO excited!
Here is the text of the announcement we use to new nodes:
FROM THE COORDINATOR
With the advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it
has become even more important that the disabled have access to
information and thus become independent through the use of high-
tech solutions. ADAnet is a network formed to educate, protect and
serve the disabled community, helping them gather the information
that they need to compete in a technological world.
One of the many problems that the disability community must face
is a lack of a common repository for disability information. This
is no longer the case, as ADAnet can bring together doctors,
lawyers, the disabled and those that work with the disabled to
share information in a cooperative effort to assist everyone in
being as productive as possible.
We are presently looking for moderators for most of our
conferences. Persons wishing to moderate a conference should have
direct experience within the area they desire to moderate. Often
they may be asked questions not readily answered, so that the
ability to network in the area with other professionals and
research personnel is very important. At the same time, we realize
that sometimes a parent or interested third person can sometimes
be of great help, and we do not want to discourage their taking on
a conference to help our efforts succeed.
Finally, I would ask that this file be made available to all
rehabilitation and research facilities. The goal of ADAnet is to
provide fast, efficient communications within the disabled
community. Please help us let these people know that this resource
is now available to them.
Bill Freeman, ADAnet Network Coordinator.
The Disability Law Foundation
Post Office Box 374
Pinson, Alabama 35126
(205) 856-0738 (Voice)
---
To borrow the slogan of the United Handicapped Federation, we also
believe in the strength of, by and for disabled people. While ADA stands
for the Americans with Disabilities Act, we've also chosen to use it
as the name that represents our international association of disabled
people, called the Association of Disabled Americans.
It is our goal to unify the disabled community, provide a point from
which information can be obtained, and disabled people can turn for
current information about the laws that affect them. But further, and
perhaps more importantly, to share information and resources that
enable, and to meet each other, build friendships and develop coalitions
to propel us into the next century.
Over the coming months, we hope to add even more nodes to ADAnet,
making our disability information available internationally to all that
want it. We want to do this as a free service to the disabled, using an
800 number and already existing computer networks to link folks
together.
We hope that you are already asking, "How can I help?" The single best
way is through your participation in the process. Ask your friends if
they've heard about the ADA and ADAnet. If not, share your information
with them. The single largest limiting factor that we have to deal with
is connectivity - between ourselves and to society at large. Together
this problem can be eliminated, and that is a process we have full
control over now.
We've been very busy networking with other disability organizations
across the country that share our views on success through enablement.
Chances are, however, that most groups haven't heard from us yet. Please
take a moment to let your disability advocates know about us, and push
for a local ADAnet node on your favorite BBS.
The cautious advice "be careful what you dream of" is most appropriate,
and today is the time that the dreams of a fully independent disability
community can come true. My work within this community has been the
single most challenging and rewarding experience I've ever had. My
challenge to you is to no longer be one of the many so easily pushed
aside and forgotten. Together we can build a better tomorrow, and set
ourselves free to enjoy independence.
With warmest regards,
-Bill Freeman, Coordinator
ADAnet (tm)
(205) 854-9074 (Fido 1:3602/24)