PATRICK BURKE

In 1987 I came to UCLA as a graduate student in the German Department, where I led a contented existence for many ... many ... many years. I was one of the first students to benefit from DCP services, including basic word-processor training, production of Braille texts in Middle High German and Old Saxon, and provision of electronically scanned textbook materials.

Eventually, however, the crass capitalistic enticements of the DCP lured me away from academic pursuits. Hey, the University pays me now, instead of the other way around!

I have a variety of responsibilities for the DCP:

• I provide training and support for blindness-related technologies (screen reader, Speech output, Braille display processor, and Braille printing systems).
• I evaluate adaptive and mainstream hardware and software--primarily to determine it's appropriateness for use by students and staff. This involves comparisons among various devices, with the goal of designing a system providing maximum usability.
• I provide training to DCP clients for the various components of the Bruin OnLine Internet software package.
• As part of a team of DCP Staff I offer Web Accessibility Reviews of World Wide Web pages for Web publishers on campus. Universal design strategies can ensure easy access for the visually-impaired, users with text-only browsers or slow modems, or people just surfing with images turned off. Here are some pointers to both basic and comprehensive guidelines.