I've often seen sites that, just to email a person, or even nowadays to download some software using a form they still want VV! Many sites don't have addresses on because of spam, but the form that you fill in to email people now also requires VV! I once tried to join a cricket game, similar to battrick, can't remember what it was called, had VV, emailed the staff to explain my problem, but got no answer. I think one of the worst sites with VV, and not bothering much about bringing in audio or anything must be yahoo. I'm going to try and set up a facebook profile as I've also been invited by other friends as well.
Ari----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Hallsworth" <chrishallsworth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 10:01 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Facebook - how to make it more accessible
I'll tell you about a similar story. I'm a massive fan of now defunct Atomic Kitten, but I like their solo members, so I signed up to one of their forums. Now, because they use visual verification during registration, I e-mailed them explaining that I was blind and that I couldn't see the visual verification, and within hours they've set up my access to the forum! Couldn't believe that such a site would even give a thought about accessibility as it's about a pop group! Just my two pence worth. On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:13:56 +0100, "Vanja Sudar" <vanja@xxxxxxxxxxx> said:This goes even further. I'm very impressed with facebook! I emailed them baisicly telling them that I have difficulties signing up because I'm blind and am unable to see their visual veryfication and asked if they could help. Less than 5 hours after my email they set up my account for me! I wish all website/companies were so responsive. I'm definitely very impressed! Vanja http://www.sudar.co.uk MSN messenger: sudar23@xxxxxxxxxxx AIM: vanja121 Skype: vanja121----- Original Message ----- From: DamonTo: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 4:24 AM Subject: [access-uk] Facebook - how to make it more accessible Hi! Bit of progress here. I was banging on about facebook.com the other week. It's the big social networking site that everyone is talking and writing about. It's good in order to network, keep in touch with friends and business acquaintances. You can also find like-minded people there and all sorts. It seems that if you're not on facebook, you're not a proper human being if you are to believe The Guardian. The main barrier to using it is the verification graphic that you need to copy into a box at registration. Once beyond this point, you can use many of the features but some features have a further verification graphic that you need to get past in order to be able to add contacts, do email etc. I can now report, however, that after an email to the support team, they have taken away verification graphics for my account. What this now means is that I can use all of facebook's services. But at this stage it still means you need to be able to read verification graphics at the point of registration. Luckily though it's a once only thing now and they are working on an audio captcha idea. In order to get the graphics removed, go to the bottom of the page, click on help and find the help section about problems with registration. Get past all the FAQ stuff, you're looking for a form to fill in and send to the team. Within about 24 hours your internal verification graphics will be gone for good. I've started a really informal chat with one of the people there who is enthusiastic about accessibility too. She tells me she is now in contact with a few jaws users and they are really keen to move their product on. They have recently made their Gift Shop accessible. It works well. Go and give it a go. I urge you. Since being on facebook I have collected up around 21 friends and almost on a daily basis I am getting people who know me or have known me suddnly seeing I'm there and adding me to their friends list. I realise that talking about it in the abstract is just that, rather abstract, so go and give it a go. It would be awesome to create a blind network on there. And then offshoots can come out of, or feed into, that network and it could be really positive and interesting. And we can also help them hone the look and feel of their page, which isn't too bad usability wise, but the point is they are listening and keen to improve. Great news from a site with real egalitarian ambition. ...Damon damon.rose@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx skype: damonrose London, England.Christopher Hallsworth E-mail: chrishallsworth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Skype name chrishallsworth7266 MSN: ch9675@xxxxxxxxxxx ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
