I believe I said something about this list not being aimed at
blind/vision/disability rights. This doesn't belong on the list, for
that reason.
James, List Admin
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:nrazek268@xxxxxxxxx>Noha Abdel Razek
To: <mailto:a_farouk@xxxxxxxxx>Ahmed Farouk
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 3:23 AM
Subject: Fw: [goodfeel] Please support equal access to visual verification on the web
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:flutelover@xxxxxxxxx>Ramy Moustafa
To: <mailto:nou78@xxxxxxxxxxx>Great Nou
Cc: <mailto:saber_sherin@xxxxxxxxxxx>?????
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 10:38 AM
Subject: Fw: [goodfeel] Please support equal access to visual verification on the web
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tina E" <<mailto:tina-e@xxxxxxxxx>tina-e@xxxxxxxxx> To: "Tina E" <<mailto:tina-e@xxxxxxxxx>tina-e@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 4:21 AM Subject: [goodfeel] Please support equal access to visual verification on the web
> Dear list members, friends, and colleagues:
>
> Though this web accessibility issue might not be directly related to
> the main topic(s) of the list, I would ask those of you who are
> willing, to please sign the petition whose URL is below, concerning
> web pages that contain inaccessible graphical word verification
> systems, also known as CAPTCHA. These systems are becoming more
> widely implemented, in order to validate that a human is filling out
> the given form to obtain services or information. This is typically
> done by having the user look at a graphic or picture on the screen,
> and then copy the exact text by typing it into an edit box. Unless an
> accessible alternative means of verification is provided, blind
> computer users are essentially denied independent access to any
> information or service which is provided, once this correct string of
> characters would be entered. Since sighted people aren't necessarily
> always present and readily available to assist and read the text, this
> graphical word verification scheme, (CAPTCHA), is proving to be a
> significant and ever-growing information barrier to a variety of web
> services. This petition specifically addresses Google, and some of
> the services they offer, GMail for instance, which require
> verification by means of visual examination of a word presented in a
> picture, a task which is currently impossible for screen-reading
> software for the blind.
>
> The petition is entitled:
>
> "Google Word Verification Accessibility"
>
> It is hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, a free online petition
> service, at the following URL:
>
> <http://www.PetitionOnline.com/captcha/>http://www.PetitionOnlinecom/captcha/
>
> More Background:
>
> Access to an increasing number of services for blind or deaf-blind
> people is severely hampered by websites that use the graphical word
> verification (CAPTCHA) system, without providing another alternative
> independent and timely means of verification. Such websites include,
> but are certainly not limited to, popular services such as
> YahooGroups, Blogger, Yahoo Email, etc.
>
> A handful of websites have a work-around, such as automated
> verification via Email, or a feature to play a sound file containing
> the characters to be typed instead, for those who are unable to read
> the picture. Microsoft's Passport system, for example, provides an
> alternative using information presented in a (sometimes rather
> garbled!) sound file. Though this is not the best implementation of a
> solution, (particularly for those with both limited hearing and
> vision), it is preferable to various widely-used sites that have no
> realistically independent means of getting around having to see the
> word pictured in the graphic, in order to type those characters in the
> edit box.
>
> Following is some additional information that the author of this
> petition, Darrell Shandrow, has provided to me:
>
> *** Begin quote ***
>
> Numerous companies offer their services in a way that already provides
> accessible alternatives to their visual verification systems, by way
> of an audio playback of the characters to be entered. Examples of
> such companies include:
>
> AOL's Instant Messenger
> <http://www.aim.com>http://www.aim.com
>
> PayPal
> <http://www.paypal.com>http://www.paypal.com
>
> and SpamArrest
> <http://www.spamarrest.com>http://www.spamarrest.com.
>
> Others, such as 0Spam
> <http://www.0spam.com>http://www.0spam.com
>
> offer e-mail confirmation that only requires an active e-mail address,
> a quite accessible and screen-reader-friendly alternative solution.
>
> Sadly, many companies, including EarthLink's anti-spam features,
> Google and Yahoo, offer no way to independently pass their visual
> verification tests to gain access to their services.
>
> *** End quote ***
>
>
> I, Tina, wholeheartedly agree with the spirit of this petition, and I
> hope that you will choose to join me in my support for equal access
> for all web users. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and
> please consider signing it yourself.
>
> When you go to the petition link noted above, a form will come up, and
> all you need to do is fill in your name and Email address, for
> purposes of confirmation and verification by the system. Then, choose
> one of the three following Email privacy options: whether you would
> like to keep your Email address private, or only visible to the author
> of the petition, or if you would like your Email address clickable by
> the public as a Sendmail link. The automatic default is to keep your
> Email address private, so do not change any of the radio buttons if
> you'd like to keep it this way.
>
> Comments are of course optional, but can be placed in the edit box
> provided, if you'd like.
>
> Click, or otherwise activate, the "submit" button, and you're done
>
> Again, here's the link to place your name on the petition, asking
> Google to implement an accessible solution for graphical word
> verification, Captcha:
>
> <http://www.PetitionOnline.com/captcha/>http://www.PetitionOnlinecom/captcha/
>
> Thank you so very kindly, for your active support of this critical
> issue, for computer users with any sort of print-reading disability.
>
> Very sincerely,
> Tina Ektermanis
> Greeley, Colorado, USA
> <mailto:tina-e@xxxxxxxxx>tina-e@xxxxxxxxx
>
>
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