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Re: VIBS Write-In Instruction Modifications
The request came from the blind rep who was evaluating the system. He
said he figured out the concept quickly enough, but he said he doubted
some ordinary Joe off the street would pick up on it. I was very
surprised to hear him say that. I tried it out with the ballot hidden,
and it was pretty obvious from the start.
Basically, they wanted some sort of explanation regarding the letter
assignments. Possibly another solution would be to simply mention that
keys 2 through 9 are assigned letters according to the standard
U.S. telephone assignment pattern (or some description similar to that),
as such:
"To enter letters of the candidate name, press keys 2 through 9.
Letters are assigned to these keys according to the standard U.S.
telephone assignment pattern. Press a key multiple times to cycle through
the letters assigned to that key. When you have entered a letter
correctly, press 0 to accept that letter and move on to the next letter.
If you are unsure what key a letter is assigned to,
press various keys until you get close to the letter you want, then press
that key several times to locate the correct letter. Remember to
be methodical and patient while voting.
For Space, press 1.
To Cancel your write in vote, press 0."
I can run both options (and/or others) by the FL officials on Monday.
This new version I have submitted above may be short enough that it can
be the repeating instruction set. I understand that having one
instruction set for the beginning, followed by a different set that is
repeated involves more software coding. What do you think about the
sentence in red - unnecessary, unwieldy, unclear?
In general, their objections were strong enough that they deemed the
system uncertifiable, but vague enough to leave definitive solutions up
in the air. Note that except for the first rcr submitted regarding the
VIBS ballot review process starting at the beginning of the ballot, none
of their objections were accompanied by specific solutions.
Mark
At 1/13/2002 07:19 PM, you wrote:
Mark,
I'm curious about item one and the key assignment
explanations. Are the folks recommending this blind themselves, or
is this something that they've checked out with the blind? If they
have and this is supported by the blind, then perhaps its a good
idea. I'm curious whether this is coming from folks with or without
keypad experience.
Deborah have you run into this type of request?
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark S Earley
To: RCR
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2002 2:00 PM
Subject: VIBS Write-In Instruction Modifications
The outcome of the BS 4.1.6 evaluation by the Florida Division of Elections is they are requiring three modifications before certification will be granted.
One of the changes is modification of the Write-In Instruction Set and prompts. There two basic modifications required in the write-in mode:
Explain the assignments of letters to the 2 through 9 keys more fully.
Change the wording of: "To finish entering this write in candidate, press 0."
========================
Examples of possible modifications:
1. Explanation of letter assignments to keys:
"To enter letters of the candidate name, press 2 through 9. The 2 key is assigned A, B, C. The 3 key is assigned D, E, F. The 4 key is assigned G, H, I. The 5 key is assigned J, K, L. The 6 key is assigned M, N, O. The 7 key is assigned P, Q, R, S. The 8 key is assigned T, U, V. The 9 key is assigned W, X, Y, Z. Press a key multiple times to cycle through the letters assigned to that key. When you have entered a letter correctly, press 0 to accept that letter and move on to the next letter. If you forget what key a letter is assigned to, press various keys until you get close to the letter you want, then press that key several times to locate the correct letter. Remember to be methodical and patient while voting.
For Space, press 1.
To Cancel your write in vote, press 0."
Repeat this prompt until the first letter is entered. Then go back to the regular prompts. example:
Voter enters 7777 for the letter S.
You have entered S.
To accept S, press 0.
To delete S, press *.
Voter presses 0 to accept S. Prompt returns to:
To enter letters of the candidate name, press 2 through 9.
For Space, press 1. etc.
It may be a good idea to include the sentence: "If you forget what key a letter is assigned to, press various keys until you get close to the letter you want, then press that key several times to locate the correct letter." in the repeating prompt.
2. Change the wording of "To finish entering ... to:
"To accept your entries and vote for this write in candidate, press 0."
Note that the required changes must be done before the FL Div will certify Ballot Station with Audio Ballot capabilities. They have stated several times that if we get them something promptly, they will expedite the evaluation and certification.
Mark