Hello, here is yet another important email for the perusal of those who are looking for more accessibility in their cell phones.
Maria----- Original Message ----- From: "Donald" <anderson.d@xxxxxxxx>
To: "cookinginthe dark" <cookinginthedark@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:20 PM Subject: C n D: O.T. :AFB & Cell phone
The American Foundation for the Blind(AFB) has tried to be an effective information source as well as an advocate on cell phone accessibility and we believe the time is right for action on this issue. Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications service providers and manufacturers to ensure their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities, if readily achievable. AFB, through our technology Web magazine AccessWorld, has published extensively on cell phone accessibility, especially on specific phones and features. Generally, there are very few phones with meaningful access features. Cingular, now AT&T stands out for providing phones with screen reading software that provides access to all phone features. AT&T just nnounced a new agreement to add additional phones with screen reader and magnification. Why aren't more companies bringing accessible cell phones to market? Two reasons: First, unfortunately, relatively few people with vision loss have actually filed complaints on cell phone accessibility. This leads the industry to believe that we are happy with the minimal access now available. Second, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handles Section 255 complaints, and it has not been very responsive when complaints have been filed. What can we do? First, be very clear when you communicate with your cell phone service provider that you expect an accessible phone. This means a phone that provides features like comprehensive audio output of information on the screen, displays that can be adjusted to make them more readable with limited vision and keys and controls that are identifiable by touch. While we are at it, we should make clear once and for all that while using voice commands may be desired by some people, the industry should stop assuming that blind people need to use voice input to control our phones. In addition, we should be clear in asking for manuals and phone bills in accessible formats (with descriptions of images and graphics). At this past ACB convention, AFB announced "255action." Among other things, we've established an email that consumers can use to tell us about their cell phone access concerns. It is < 255action@xxxxxxx <mailto:255action%40afb.net> We are also putting additional material about cell phones and accessibility on our Web site www.afb.org, including an explanation of how to use the FCC's complaint form. Over the past several months we have spoken with many consumers with vision loss and we have worked with approximately 20 consumers who have provided us with detailed Accessibility problems that are being shaped into complaints to be filed with the FCC. I expect that we will file these complaints in the next few weeks. When they are filed, we will publicize the effort to ensure that the companies and the FCC take them seriously. In addition, now would be a great time for you to file complaints on cell phone accessibility too. In addition, on July 17, AFB sent a letter to the leading cell phone carriers and manufacturers indicating that consumers are frustrated with the lack of accessibility and asking for specific info on what these companies are doing about accessibility. The service providers we contacted were: AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Alltel; and the manufacturers were: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG Electronics, Sanyo, Pantech and HTC Global Services. I sent a specific attachment with the letter explaining accessibility expectations for individuals with vision loss. I asked the companies to respond with info by August 31. We will add any information we get to our Web site. Finally, I have also blogged about these issues and would welcome your comments there < www.afb.org/blog Paul W. Schroeder Vice President, Programs and Policy American Foundation for the Blind 820 First Street, N.E., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-408-8172 E-mail:pws@xxxxxxx < mailto:pws%40afb.net> Web: http://www.afb.org/gov.asp <http://www.afb.org/gov.asp> Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss (tm) Beth Berenson Vision Loss Resource Center Assistant LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired 214 Van Ness Ave San Francisco, CA 94102 415-694-7322 (Direct) Vision Loss Resource Center: 1-888-400-8933 415-863-7568 (Fax) email:bberenson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:bberenson%40lighthouse-sf.org> Website: www.lighthouse-sf.org Providing Solutions for Living with Vision Loss Listen or download previous Cooking in the Dark Shows at: http://www.cookinginthedark.libsyn.com Got a pod catcher? Here is the address to paste into your pod catcher for Cooking in the Dark: http://www.cookinginthedark.libsyn.com/rss Cooking in the Dark is sponsored by Blind Mice Mart! http://www.blindmicemart.com The Cooking in the Dark Show is streamed weekly on the internet. Visit the Cooking in the Dark page at Blind Mice Mart for times and links. Every purchase at Blind Mice Mart funds the Mouse Hole Scholarship Program providing scholarships for Blind students! http://www.BlindMiceMart.com Use the coupon code "acbradio" when you check-out at Blind Mice Mart and a portion of your purchase will be donated to ACB Radio and you will save a little change too! Visit the Cooking and Baking Department at Blind Mice Mart and get some of the same products Dale uses on the show! Recipes posted on this list serve are the property of Blind Mice Mart and Cooking in the Dark. 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