[ddots-l] Some features of CDBaby's site now inaccessible
- From: Sheila Styron <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:10:36 -0500
Thought this might be of interest to the list.
begin forwarded post
Hi Friends, Recently, posts have begun to appear on other NFB lists about
the inaccessibility of CDBaby's new site for those of us who rely upon text
to speech software. We are no longer able to use the Preview functions
(which access audio clips from the CDs), making the Discover new Music
option also inaccessible. Some have also been unable to complete the
purchase function.
CD Baby was always accessible to us in the past, and many blind musicians &
NFB members, such as Lisa Ostrow along with the musicians featured on the
"Sound in Sight" CD which supports programs of the NFB's Performing Arts
Division are CD Baby artists. One of my own CDs has been there for years.
As you all know, independent musicians struggle against many odds. The same
is true with blind musicians, few of whom are ever signed by national
labels. Ask yourself, for instance, to name a nationally known female singer
or musician who is blind. I'm sure you will find it to be a very short list
-- not that there's a lot of blind guys in the national spotlight.
As blind artists, we count on the sales we get from blind music lovers, who
can no longer access our CD Baby pages. A letter to one blind fan from CD
baby states that they removed the accessibility function when designing the
new site. They expressed regret, but indicated that they have other
priorities.
I am researching an article for the American Chronicle, and would be happy
to include any concerns any of you are having with the site. If you wish to
participate in the article, please contact me off list at: dwhill@xxxxxxxx
Also, please re post this. If there is any other way any of you can help us
or any other ideas, we would appreciate it.
Thanks, Donna Hill, Head of Media Relations Performing Arts Division,
National Federation of the Blind Media Specialist, NFB of PA
570-833-2708 dwhill@xxxxxxxx
Sheila Styron
816-896-6552
sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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