Computers And The Disabled :: essays research papers

Computers and The Disabled The computer age has changed many things for many people, but for the disabled the computer has ultimately changed their entire life. Not only has it made life exceedingly easier for all disabled age groups, it has also made them able to be more employable in the work force. Previously unemployable people can now gain the self esteem from fully supporting themselves. Computers have given them the advantages of motion were it had not previously existed. Disabled children now have the advantage to grow up knowing that they can one day be a competent adult, that won't have to rely on someone else for their every need. Windows 95 has made many interesting developments toward making life easier for the nearly blind and for the deaf, including on screen text to synthesize speech or Braille, and adaptive hardware that transforms a computers audible cues into a visual format. Computers have given the limited back their freedom to be an active part of the human race. According to the Americans with Disabilities Acts, any office that has a staff of more than fifteen people now has to provide adaptive hardware and software on their computers, so that workers with disabilities can accomplish many tasks independently. Before this Act was passed the disabled were normally passed over for jobs because of their handicap, now however employers can be assured that people with disabilities can work in the work place just like people without disabilities. The self esteem disabled individuals have gained from the experience to work and be self supporting, is immeasurable. Computerized wheelchairs have given disabled people a whole new perception on life. It has given them the mobility to go just about anywhere they want to go. It has given them the ability to explore an unknown world, and progress intellectually as well as spiritually. Computerized vans allow many disabled people to drive, by having onboard computerized lifts to place the disabled in the driver's seat. Movement sensitive hardware, as well as computerized shifting devices allows the disable to control the van with very little physical movement. Children with disabilities now have access to many computerized devices that enable them to move freely in their home as well as outside. The battery operated bigfoot truck, much like the ones that we buy for our own children to play on have been adapted and computerized for children with special needs. These trucks have been designed for even some of the most limited children to operate with ease. With the newest technology these children can now go to public schools with their peers, and have an active social life. Computers And The Disabled :: essays research papers Computers and The Disabled The computer age has changed many things for many people, but for the disabled the computer has ultimately changed their entire life. Not only has it made life exceedingly easier for all disabled age groups, it has also made them able to be more employable in the work force. Previously unemployable people can now gain the self esteem from fully supporting themselves. Computers have given them the advantages of motion were it had not previously existed. Disabled children now have the advantage to grow up knowing that they can one day be a competent adult, that won't have to rely on someone else for their every need. Windows 95 has made many interesting developments toward making life easier for the nearly blind and for the deaf, including on screen text to synthesize speech or Braille, and adaptive hardware that transforms a computers audible cues into a visual format. Computers have given the limited back their freedom to be an active part of the human race. According to the Americans with Disabilities Acts, any office that has a staff of more than fifteen people now has to provide adaptive hardware and software on their computers, so that workers with disabilities can accomplish many tasks independently. Before this Act was passed the disabled were normally passed over for jobs because of their handicap, now however employers can be assured that people with disabilities can work in the work place just like people without disabilities. The self esteem disabled individuals have gained from the experience to work and be self supporting, is immeasurable. Computerized wheelchairs have given disabled people a whole new perception on life. It has given them the mobility to go just about anywhere they want to go. It has given them the ability to explore an unknown world, and progress intellectually as well as spiritually. Computerized vans allow many disabled people to drive, by having onboard computerized lifts to place the disabled in the driver's seat. Movement sensitive hardware, as well as computerized shifting devices allows the disable to control the van with very little physical movement. Children with disabilities now have access to many computerized devices that enable them to move freely in their home as well as outside. The battery operated bigfoot truck, much like the ones that we buy for our own children to play on have been adapted and computerized for children with special needs. These trucks have been designed for even some of the most limited children to operate with ease. With the newest technology these children can now go to public schools with their peers, and have an active social life.

Compare and Contrast Economic and Political Effects of the Mongol Rule in the Middle East and China Essay

The Mongols were a nomadic group from Central Asia who joined together under the rule of Ghengis Khan to conquer territory. The Mongols had an enormous affect on the territories it conquered. They generally took on the culture of the peoples they conquered. In China, the Mongols modeled the government similar to China’s but did not allow Chinese members to become a part of the government. They also outlawed the civil service exam. In contrast in the Middle East, Il-Khan allowed local government officials to stay in power and keep their rule as long as they continued to pay taxes. However in both regions the Mongol’s encouraged trade and eliminated tariffs through their empire. In that way they boosted their economies. Politically the Mongols changed the system significantly in China. Although Kublei Khan, the ruler of China during the Mongol ruler tried to model the government after the Chinese bureaucracy as exemplified by his naming the dynasty, the Yuan dynasty and keeping a strong centralized government with regular tax payment. He also outlawed the civil service exam because the Mongols were not well educated. In Addition he only allowed Mongols to be a part of the government. In contrast, in the Middle East Il-Khan kept the government very similar to how it had always been. The leaders of the mongols converted to Islam unlike the Mongols in China who didn’t take on Confucianism, the Chinese tradition. The Mongols in the Middle East also allowed the current leader to remain intact as long as they continued to pay the taxes. Economically, the mongols were very similar in China and the Middle East. In China the Mongols encouraged trade. They protected the Silk Roads from invaders. An example of how the Mongol’s encouraged and welcomed trade is with Marco Polo, a merchant who traveled all around Eurasia and wrote about his journey and travels to the Yuan dynasty. Similarly in the Middle East the Mongols encouraged trade and specifically discouraged agriculture. The Mongols also eliminated tariffs throughout their empire. Because of this trade flourished in the Middle East as it did in China. The Mongol rule in China and the Middle East was very different politically in that the Mongols allowed the leaders in the Middle East to remain while  in China they did not. In addition they took on the Middle Eastern culture more by converting to Islam while in China, they did not take on Confucianism. However the Mongols attempted to take on parts of the culture in both regions. Economically both the mongols in China and the Middle East were similar. In both regions the Mongols encouraged trade and eliminated tariffs. Because of this trade flourished in this time period.

Abigail williams Essay

In 1692, in the town of Salem, Massachusetts, several young girls experienced a conjured illness, triggering the beginning of mass hysteria in the town. The unexplained illnesses were thought to be the devil’s doing; using witches to stain the town. The hysteria spread within the strictly religious town and allowed for revenge and old jealousies to be rekindled. Women and men fell victim to the young girls and were condemned to hang. The unimaginable events that took place became known as the Salem Witch Trials. The trials brought Arthur Miller to write The Crucible, depicting the unfortunate events. Throughout The Crucible, a young girl named Abigail Williams uses her cunningness and deceitfulness to get what she wants. Her jealousness and lack of moral and ethics gives her the ability to condemn innocent beings to death, without any questions. Abigail Williams is seen as â€Å"seventeen and strikingly beautiful† (138). However, she is selfish, and an excellent liar. When questioned about what had happened in the forest, she saves herself by saying she and the girls were only dancing. Abigail lies with the intention of keeping herself out of trouble. Abigail is later interrogated about the night before. She says it was Tituba’s idea and Tituba immediately confessed. Abigail is jealous and sees how Tituba is praised after she confesses; as Gods light in the world, looking for evil. Abigail accuses several women of working with the Devil so she too can be praised (158). Everyone looked beyond her deceptiveness and thought what Abigail was saying true. Abigail’s jealousness of Tituba provoked her to accuse innocent women of witchcraft. Abigail is also dark and cruel. She says to Betty and Mercy that if they speak a word of what happened in the woods, â€Å"I will come to you in the black of some terrible nights and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you† (144). Abigail proves she would do anything to keep herself out of trouble, even if it meant murdering her cousin. Abigail transforms to a terrifying young woman, who has the capability of accusing innocent townspeople. This power fills Salem with fear to speak out against her. Her elaborate strategies and devotion make her undefeatable. She becomes more ruthless and bold in her accusations. She accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch, who was a good woman and well respected within the Salem community (172). Abigail stabs herself in order to put Elizabeth in the blame, revealing her dedication to the  accusations. Her perseverance and conniving schemes give the townspeople no other choice but to believe what she is saying. Abigail is a merciless villain, who acquires the power to accuse several more women in the town of Salem. What was once fourteen accused escalates into thirty nine, almost overnight. Fear is present in all the townspeople, who are afraid Abigail would seek revenge on them. When Proctor states Mary must tell the courtroom Abigail is lying, Mary warns Proctor she will accuse Proctor of lechery (174). Proctor is surprised Abigail told anyone about the affair. Abigail evolves into a cold-hearted girl who would do anything to get what she wants, including accuse the man she claims she loves of lechery. Abigail’s transformation into a villain motivates Proctor to go to the courtroom and prove Abigail is not blameless. Abigail continues to be a heartless girl, set on destroying lives of women and men in Salem. Her humanity seems to disappear completely, as she accuses more and more women. She has a huge impact on the girls, who are too terrified to confess they were only pretending to be witched. Abigail targets and manipulates weak Mary Warren, a girl who used to be her friend. â€Å"†¦A wind, a cold wind, has come (her eyes fall on Mary Warren)† (188). Abigail lost all the emotions she had for Mary Warren and Proctor, accusing them both of witchcraft. She evolves in to a selfish girl, who craves the attention and power she receives from Salem. Her power seems too much for Mary Warren to bear, as she returns to Abigail’s side. She becomes lustful for power and control, denying any accusations made against her. By first accusing the town drunk and homeless woman, her credibility sky rockets. She had the confidence to accuse Elizabeth, a woman who is highly respected. In order to fulfill her fantasy with John Proctor, Abigail losses her conscience and condemns anyone who interferes with her plan. Her continued ruthlessness and confidence invokes intimidation in all of Salem. She takes complete advantage of Salem’s ignorance to satisfy her desires. The trials end in nineteen innocent people being hanged. The town’s attitude towards the execution changed into sympathy for the people who had fallen victim to the girls. Mass hysteria can turn seemingly innocent girls into cold-hearted killers who inflict pain on others. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. McDougal Litell Literature: American Literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Litell.132-208. Print

Nike Sweat Shops Essays - Economy, Clothing, Business, Fashion

Nike Sweat Shops.txt Essays - Economy, Clothing, Business, Fashion Nike Sweat Shops There has been much debate and controversy recently concerning Nike's Asian labour practices. This is a very complex issue and one that is a long way from being solved. It is very difficult to determine which side of this argument to defend, as both sides acknowledge the facts, yet put a completely different spin on them. Do you believe Nike's critics who say they're exploiting workers? Or, do you believe Nike when they say that they are giving workers in these countries wonderful opportunities to raise their standard of living? The consensus answer to this question by all sides seems to be that Nike is improving but still has a ways to go. Nike's Asian ties can be traced back to the birth of the company. The CEO, chairman of the board of directors, and co-founder, Phil Knight, wrote his masters thesis at Stanford University in the 1960's on the prospects for using Asian labor to produce goods cheaper and more effectively. In order to incorporate this plan in to Nike's business structure, a partnership was set up with a Japan based company called Tiger Sports. Tiger Sports would manufacture shoes for Nike in Asia then shipped them to the United States to sell. In the 1980's however, this aspect of Nike's partnership with Tiger Sports was dissolved, and Nike was forced to expand production from the United States to countries such as Taiwan and Korea where their products could be manufactured at the same relatively low cost that Nike enjoyed through the Tiger Sports partnership. Over the last five of years, however, the production numbers for these countries have been decreasing at an alarming rate due to the fact that th eir economies expanded at a very rapid pace. This, in turn, caused the cost of labour to increase dramatically, and therefore Nike could no longer produce their product as efficiently as before. In lieu of the rapid economic growth in the pacific rim, and the increased production cost, Nike has moved more into countries such as Vietnam and China where the labour is cheaper and labour laws less stringent. (VLF, VN Fact Sheet) Nike does not own any of the factories that produces its products in Asia, and subsequently they do not directly employ the workers or management. They contract out work to factories that make all of the products and run all of the factories. They do, however, have a massive amount of leverage when dealing with these factories because of the huge contracts they supply. To ensure good labour practices, Nike has a Code of Conduct that every contractor must agree to abide by in order to get a contract. The Conduct Code in theory condemns and prohibits child labour, requires that workers be paid fair wage, imposes caps on the days and hours a worker can be forced to work, prohibits mistreatment or discrimination of workers in any form, obligates factories to implement programs that benefit worker's health and safety, and recognizes and respects the workers right to freedom of association. There are 1000 Nike employees worldwide monitoring operations at the subcontractors and specifically the Code of Conduct adherent. The most consistent criticism of Nike is that the workers in the factories contracted by them are not aware of the Code of Conduct that was agreed upon, and/or it is not enforced (especially the wages and overtime aspects) by the factory officials. Critics contend that the factories pay less than minimum wage at times, force too many overtime hours, and fail to make the workplace as clean and as safe as standards dictate. Many of the factories that are contracted have workers and management from different countries, causing some problems in communication. Some factories in China have Taiwanese Managers while factories in Vietnam have Korean managers. This is one reason offered by Nike in defense of the factories failure to comply with the Code of Conduct. To look into this issue, earlier this year Nike commissioned Andrew Young, a former civil rights leader and United Nations ambassador to do an analysis of how well the Code was working. Young and his staff visited four factories in Vietnam, Indonesia, and China for three to four hours

Invention and Development of the Steam Engine

Invention and Development of the Steam Engine Steam engines are mechanisms that use heat to create steam, which in turn performs mechanical processes, known generally as  work.  While several inventors and innovators worked on various aspects of using steam for power, the major development of early steam engines involves three inventors and three principal engine designs.   Thomas Savery and the First Steam Pump The first steam engine used for work was patented by the Englishman Thomas Savery in 1698 and was used to pump water out of mine shafts. The basic process involved a cylinder that was filled with water. Steam was then delivered to the cylinder, displacing the water, which flowed out through a one-way valve. Once all of the water was ejected, the cylinder was sprayed with cool water to drop the cylinders temperature and condense the steam inside. This created a vacuum inside the cylinder, which then pulled up additional water to refill the cylinder, completing the pump cycle.   Thomas Newcomens Piston Pump Another Englishman,  Thomas Newcomen, improved on Slaverys pump with a design he developed around 1712. Newcomens engine included a piston inside of a cylinder. The top of the piston was connected to one end of a pivoting beam. A pump mechanism was connected to the other end of the beam so that water was drawn up whenever the beam tilted up on the pump end. To propel the pump, steam was delivered to the piston cylinder. At the same time, a counterweight pulled the beam down on the pump end, which made the piston rise to the top of the steam cylinder. Once the cylinder was full of steam, cool water was sprayed inside the cylinder, quickly condensing the steam and creating a vacuum inside the cylinder. This caused the piston to drop, moving the beam down on the piston end and up on the pump end. The cycle then repeated automatically as long as steam was applied to the cylinder.   Newcomens piston design effectively created a separation between the water being pumped out and the cylinder used to create the pumping power. This greatly improved  on the efficiency of Slaverys original design. However, because Saverys held a broad patent on his own steam pump, Newcomen had to collaborate with Savery to patent the piston pump.   James Watts Improvements Scotsman James Watt  significantly improved and developed the steam engine over the second half of the 18th century, making it a truly viable piece of machinery that helped start the Industrial Revolution. The first major innovation of Watts was to include a separate condenser so that the steam didnt have to be cooled in the same cylinder that contained the piston. This meant the piston cylinder remained at a much more consistent temperature, greatly increasing the fuel efficiency of the engine. Watt also developed an engine that could rotate a shaft, rather than an up-and-down pumping action, as well as a flywheel that allowed for smooth power transfer between the engine and the workload. With these and other innovations, the steam engine became applicable to a variety of factory processes, and Watt and his business partner, Matthew Boulton, built several hundred engines for industrial use.   Later Steam Engines The early 19th century saw major innovation of high-pressure steam engines, which were much more efficient than the low-pressure designs of Watts and the others steam-engine pioneers. This led to the development of much smaller, more powerful steam engines that could be used to power trains and boats and to perform a wider range of industrial tasks, such as running saws in mills. Two important innovators of these engines were American Oliver Evans and Englishman Richard Trevithick. Over time, steam engines were replaced by the internal combustion engine for most types of locomotion and industrial work, but the use of steam generators to create electricity remains an important part of electrical power production today.

How might the U.S. relationship with Asia be different if the U.S. war Essay

How might the U.S. relationship with Asia be different if the U.S. war in Iraq ended What about Afghanistan - Essay Example Pulling out of Iraq and perhaps even Afghanistan will perhaps lead to some form of ease in the countries neighboring the two. Pakistanis and Iranians are ill at ease with the Americans so close to their borders especially since the American drones are constantly crossing borders to bomb targets in the Pakistani tribal region (n.a 2010). Pulling out of the two occupied countries will definitely help the US focus its resources in areas that need it. The economy of the nation is staggering and needs to be focused and prioritized and perhaps the pulling out will also help relations with Asian nations who don’t feel that the close proximity of the American troops is a sign of concern. Works Cited Liang, Yan. US looks to Asia after Iraq withdrawal. September 2, 2010. http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/commentary/2010-09/569748.html (accessed February 14, 2011). n.a. "22 drone attacks in Pakistan in September." GEO. September 29, 2010. http://www.geo.tv/9-29-2010/72082.htm (accessed Febru ary 14, 2011).

American Kitchen Revolution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American Kitchen Revolution - Research Paper Example The Architectural design upon which these works were laid depended on the North American basics and eclectic combinations of European architectural techniques, manipulations, and practices (Smith, 1976: 76). The preliminary commencement of American architecture dates back to the regal tradition of the United States and the practices that transpired as a result of the evacuation of European background. The American melting vessel grew and both the edifice and planning practices advanced. This in turn led to the dawn of the colonial style which became the cornerstone of the architectural progress of the United States. The outstanding consideration of these designs focus on the balance between classical and gothic ideals. Some of the common European monuments like Gloucestershire serve as benchmark for this piece of work. It therefore goes without objection that the kitchen is inextricably correlated to this discovery. The hearth remains in various historical sites helps to establish th e dating of this. Instead of the fridges of the 19th century, root cellars were used to maintain the cold temperature of foods during summers and offered a conducive environment for preservation of food stuffs during winter (Smith, 1976: 76). Another preservative method during the ancient kitchen era was the smoke house. It was very vital for preservation of both fish and meat. The early hearths invented were either of clay or stone origin. The hearths could either be deep or shallow, depending on the size of the homesteads. The fire places had fixed revolving spits and clips that could be used to hang meat. This had to be substituted with the wake of change though gradual. It came with the enactment of the sociological evolution which authorized the open air kitchen integrated with living room. Care was however taken not to contaminate the whole apartment. The later days ushered in the contemporary styles where a combination of the sobriety, clever storage solutions and cutting edg e technology was put in place (Smith, 1976: 76). Mr. Wright coined the word ‘’usonia’’ to guide the architectural designs in the USA as per the ideals of the American democratic ideals. This was meant for the vision of the moderated small and affordable houses then. These houses had in them central hearths, open kitchens, and window walls. They assumed the horizontal plan reminiscent of a storey building. The kitchen largely remained impervious by the many architectural plans and progress that there were during the middle ages. Only open fire places served this purpose. However old these kitchens may sound or look, the old kitchen houses were built together with the main house described as palace in Europe and had such inclusions as arms, flax, silver spoons, brass, pewter and iron among other stuffs and therefore served their intended role. They also had counter tops made from linoleum. They were superb structures compared to the small wooden houses that dotted some of the ancient fields. They had completed and well revamped gates, bright gardens, a fine canal, offices, orchards, and walks. Pertaining to this urge of putting up a desired kitchen, there emerged a major bottleneck which was the establishment of an appealing place for the location of a kitchen cabinet. This was meant for storage of food and pots away from sight. One known appliance of the time was the pantry dresser. The homes lacked modern pipes and thus forced