[access-uk] Re: FW: Accessible Devices Press Release: Technology Bill Of Rights Introduced For Blind U.S. Citizens

"martin wilsher" <m.wilsher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:46:10 -0000

Barry, you know this, and so do I, but try telling manufacturers that
smaller people than themselves have made mobile phones talk, and are still
keeping up with faster developments in consumer tec than the odd washing
machine, microwave etc.  They will talk of target audiences, IE the blind,
being too small to warrant such, but they are forgetting the following
target audiences.

Elderly people.  Digital technology is often a source of fear to elderly
persons, they one, might not understand such, and two, feel intimidated by
the technology.  A talking solution, straight out the box, would help them,
if only to be a friendly voice to guide their new digi life.
2.  people who have trouble reading, dyslexia is coming more and more to the
foreground, as those who, when young, and are now hitting fifty ish, and
were labelled as thick at school, are now being diagnosed with this
condition.  A talking solution would help them also, as they could access it
straight out of the box.
3.  technophobes in general.  Talking solutions often help those who are
just plain scared of technology.

And that's just a list off the top of my head.

Hope to hear from you soon.

From Martin.

Please email me at:

m.wilsher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Or contact me using skype from

www.skype.com

my skype name is dobbinequine

 twitter name is bigpawedbear.

http://twitter.com/bigpawedbear 

Thanks

Please visit my website:

www.martin-wilsher.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Barry Toner
Sent: 04 February 2010 11:35
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: FW: Accessible Devices Press Release: Technology
Bill Of Rights Introduced For Blind U.S. Citizens

Hi martin

I'd like to see Blunkett come out and be more proactive against these
technology discriminations.

As we all know it's much harder to implament accessibility after the
products out there than to just stick it in as part of design.

Barry.

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
martin wilsher
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 11:25 AM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: FW: Accessible Devices Press Release: Technology
Bill Of Rights Introduced For Blind U.S. Citizens

Barry:

There was a post about an EU proposed bill of rights for disabled people on
the lines of the American one.  Apparently, the Uk govt have tried to water
down proposals for mandatory accessible adaptations to devices, to a
voluntary code, so our microwaves and washing machines will not talk in the
OOF experience so to speak.

Disabled equality?  Hardly. 

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Barry Toner
Sent: 04 February 2010 10:02
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] FW: Accessible Devices Press Release: Technology Bill
Of Rights Introduced For Blind U.S. Citizens

Now this is what we need in the UK!

-----Original Message-----
From: a-d-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:a-d-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Accessible Devices
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 5:09 PM
To: Accessible Devices List
Subject: Accessible Devices Press Release: Technology Bill Of Rights
Introduced For Blind U.S. Citizens

        U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky Introduces Technology Bill of
Rights for the Blind WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ National
Federation of the Blind Applauds Measure to Ensure Blind People Equal Access
to Technology Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today introduced the
Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind (H.R. 4533), which will mandate that
all consumer electronics, home appliances, kiosks, and electronic office
technology provide user interfaces that are accessible to the blind.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The National
Federation of the Blind appreciates the wise and decisive action taken today
by Representative Schakowsky. In recent years, advances in microchip and
digital technology have led to the proliferation of everyday products such
as dishwashers or copy machines that have visual displays and other user
interfaces that are inaccessible to individuals who are blind or have low
vision. Inaccessibility of these devices is a major barrier to a blind
person's independence and productivity. The Technology Bill of Rights will
ensure that manufacturers make their products accessible to all consumers,
and that blind people will not be left behind as technology continues to
advance."
"The importance of access to technology in today's society cannot be
overstated.
In many cases, a person's livelihood depends upon the ability to use
technology,"
said Representative Schakowsky. "This bill will allow people who are blind
or have low vision to compete on a level playing field with their sighted
peers and remain productive members of society."
About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members,
the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential
membership organization of blind people in the United States.
The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research,
technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is
the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
blind. In January
2004
the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the
first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by
the blind.
SOURCE National Federation of the Blind

www.accessible-devices.com

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