As a result, may of the otherwise most valuable digital resources ...

[junghoepark]

What does 'otherwise' refer to in this passage?:

"Over the last several decades, scholars have developed standards for how best to create, organize, present, and preserve digital information for future generations. What has remained neglected for the most part, however, are the needs of people with disabilities. As a result, many of the otherwise most valuable digital resources are useless for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for people who are blind, have low vision, or have difficulty distinguishing particular colors."

Does 'otherwise' mean “if the needs of people with disabilities were not neglected” or “if people didn’t have disabilities”? Which reading is better?

I'd appreciate your help in advance!

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, @junghoepark.

Before we reply, you need to provide the source and author of the quoted text.

This is a forum requirement.

 

[junghoepark]

It was from the question of one of Korean high school English mid-term test, Gwnghee highschool, Donghae-si, South Korea. The teacher just quoted this excerpt in the test, which may be modified or restated by the teacher, without any source and author.
My son is a student. He had to solve this question and got confused what the answer is. He has answered that 'otherwise' means "if the needs of people with disabilities were considered." But the answer that the teacher presented was not like that. The teacher insisted that 'otherwise' means "if they didn't have disabilities." My son couldn;t agree with the teacher, that's why he desperately needs your answer to judge whose opinion is right. Please let me know the answer from the native English speaker's perspective.

 

[Rover_KE]

Thank you, but we don't help with students' assignments.

 

[emsr2d2]

It was is from the a question of one of from a Korean high school English mid-term test, (Gwnghee High School, Donghae-si, South Korea). The teacher just quoted this excerpt in the test, which may be modified or restated by the teacher, without any source and author.
My son is a student. He had to solve answer this question and got confused what the answer is. but he can't. My son and I and my son desperately need your answer to help my son with his study. Please let me know the answer from the a native English speaker's perspective.

@junghoepark The forum rules clearly state that we don't help with homework or assignments. Your profile shows that you are an "Academic". As such, I'm sure you understand the importance of students submitting their own work, done without any outside help. Your son's teachers aren't interested in finding out what we think the answer is - they want to know what your son thinks.

If you're helping your son with his English, it will be a good idea for him to have a look at my corrections to your post above.

After your son takes the test and has received his results, you're free to come back here and ask us about anything he got wrong but doesn't understand why. Even better, your son could join the forum himself (if he's at least 14 years old).

 

[junghoepark]

@junghoepark The forum rules clearly state that we don't help with homework or assignments. Your profile shows that you are an "Academic". As such, I'm sure you understand the importance of students submitting their own work, done without any outside help. Your son's teachers aren't interested in finding out what we think the answer is - they want to know what your son thinks.

If you're helping your son with his English, it will be a good idea for him to have a look at my corrections to your post abov
After your son takes the test and has received his results, you're free to come back here and ask us about anything he got wrong but doesn't understand why. Even better, your son could join the forum himself (if he's at least 14 years old).

I think there was a miscommunication from my question. The assignment has already been finished. My son answered that 'otherwise' means "if the needs of people with disabilities were considered", but the Korean english teacher judged it as incorrect. He said that the answer should be "if they didn't have disabilities." We think the teacher's answer is not correct. That's why I asked here. My son is trying to appeal to school. He is a Korean student, who has a lot of difficulty asking this kind of stuff in English. I don't need your help to finish his homework. I just asked you if the teacher's judgment makes sense or not. Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to ask you to do his assignment instead of him. I just want to know if the teacher's judgment is right or wrong.

 

[probus]

In my opinion it means "if people didn't have disabilities". Also please forgive the earlier replies in this thread. The question you posed looked like it was probably homework.

 

[jutfrank]

If people who have visual and auditory disabilities did not have these disabilities, then the resources would be highly valuable to them, as they are to people who don't have disabilities. However, since they are disabled, these resources are not very valuable. For example, excellent resources that make heavy use of visual information are not useful for people who can't see well.

In other words, the teacher's interpretation is right.

 

[stanislaw.masny]

I had a different opinion, but now, after what so many teachers have said, I can't blow against the wind.

 

[probus]

I'd be interested in your opinion @stanislaw.masny. if you don't want to post it here feel free to send it to me via DM and we can discuss it.

 

[twistedscripture]

In this context, it’s “under other circumstances” referring to this usage of otherwise. It’s saying it’s typically always a valuable resource but not in this rare instance.