Gerry, your suggestions have been noted. It would not be a good idea in my opinion for Vics to run to tabloids to try and get publicity while at the same time making a nusense for ourselves in the eyes of companies such as Aerlingus who provide a service. It is important that we try and have meetings with these organisations to try and engage in some positive discussions to make them see how important their services are to us. I, and the committee are fully prepared to do this and hopefully by taking this approach we can achieve some success. We are taking these matters quite seriously and devoting any time we have outside of our busy sheduals to meet and try to come up with ways in which we can positively move these problems forward. Today's problem will hopefully be tomorrow's success.
Regards, Nicky.----- Original Message ----- From: "GERARD SHANAHAN" <gershan@xxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 10:22 PM Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Aerlingus site
Hi Cearbhal, I thought as much. Considering that Irish constitutional law is nowsubvented by E.U. legislation I expect that we will have to approach our E.u. Representitives to make any dent in legislation concerning internet businessaccess standards. Secondly I have seen mention of Irish internet awards show cases on some blog spots a while ago wouldn't this be a way of givingrecognition to website developers or such businesses if VICS in association with other bodies sponsored and presented an award at one of these events.(Being mischieveous in reference to this particular instance Maybe People might like to give an award to Ryan Air's website if it is up to scratch)Alternatively, Maybe Nikie as P.R.O. might like to send an article to some of the daily newspapers regarding inaccessibility, thus igniting thesensibilities of some journalists who would follow it up. Maybe these topics could be discussed at the next committee meeting and some action decided on. Gerry----- Original Message ----- From: "Cearbhall O'Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxx>To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 11:22 PM Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Aerlingus siteUnfortunately, Gerry, The WAI Guidelines standard is purely voluntary and not binding under any law. It is not even binding for public services. There is some discussion in CEN CENELEC and ETSI to bring it into their standards but even these are not binding in law. The only way that a standard can be become binding is when it is cited in a directive and when there is no known alternative to that standard. Where an alternative standard does exist, the legislation normally nominates the ideal standard and then adds "or equivalent" (or some such wording) allowing the alternative to be used. All the best, Cearbhall T: +353 (0)1 2864623 m: 08333 23487 E: cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxx -----Original Message-----From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of GERARD SHANAHAN Sent: 09 November 2010 19:51 To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Aerlingus site CEARBHAILL, tHANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW THAT ASSISTIVE BOOKING IS AVAILABLE BY PHONE AND THAT THE CHARGES ARE THE SAME AS ON THE NET EXCEPT!!! THAT RINGING 0818 NUMBERS MEAN THAT THE TOLL CHARGE IS HIGHER THAN THE NORMALCALL CHARGE AND OPERATED TO CREATE AN INCOME STREAM FOR AER LINGUS, MINDYOU I KNOW PEOPLE WILL SAY IT IS A MINIMUL CHARGE FOR REACHING YOUR GOAL BUT THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF GOING ON LINE OR PHONING HAVE A DIFFERENT COST AND AS NIKI SAYS IT'S AN EQUALITY ACCESS POINT. ISN'T THIS W3 WEB STANDARD NOT APPLICABLE UNDER LEGISLATION? GERRY.---- Original Message -----From: "Cearbhall O'Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxx>To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 4:51 PM Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Aerlingus siteFolks, In my experience, Aer lingus have always completed the booking for me over the phone at no extra charge once I explain that the sight does not work with the screen reader - I also have to explain what a screen reader is, by the way! But the point is, dreadful though the site is, they do complete theregistration at no extra charge when you ring special assistance helplineat: 0818 365 044 and select any of the options 2,3,4 or 5. The first one is to be avoided as its operators have no access to the web site. I spoke to an assistant on the help desk today and was assured that the charges would all be online charges as if you had used the web site yourself.I also asked if the programming department could tell me what programmingsystem is in use but she could not find that out. However, they did tell the assistant to report that they are aware of the problem and are looking into it but cannot say when a solution might be found!! I concluded by offering myself as a link to VICS if they need help to resolve the difficulty. All the best, Cearbhall T: +353 (0)1 2864623 m: 08333 23487 E: cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxx -----Original Message-----From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joshue O Connor Sent: 09 November 2010 12:29 To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: NicholasKealy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Aerlingus site Hi Nicky,Aerlingus is not a public body any more as I am lead to believe.Yes, you are right. However, the documents are still useful in that can help anyone who wishes to make a complaint frame the issue, structure a plan of action and understand what their rights are.Now, another question is, are Aerlingus prepared to let visually impairedpassengers do a phone booking with them at no extra charge? If not thisisclear discrimination and I imagine that this could be challenged alsounderequal status legislation?Could be. I'm not an expert in this area at all but that could be a good angle to bring attention to the wider issue of the inaccessibility of the website, if nothing else. Cheers Josh ******************************************************************** National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a company limited by guarantee (registered in Ireland No. 26293) . Our registered office is at Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. NCBI is also a registered Charity (chy4626). 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