[Blindtlk] Gross Discrimination By A Major Survey Company

Wed Jun 3 02:42:30 UTC 2009

However, I don't see how ADA or other statutes would cover the situation 
in that a survey is not a "place of public accommodation".

Mike Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "clinton waterbury" <clinton.waterbury at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 9:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Gross Discrimination By A Major Survey Company

I wonder what in blazes was going through their mind when they turned
around and wrote something like that.  If someone did that to another
sighted person the company would probably not exist.
On Jun 2, 2009, at 12:53 AM, Amanda Robertson wrote:

> Hello list,
>
> About a year ago, I had an incident with a survey company called
> Pinecone
> Research which was a blatant case of discrimination against the
> blind. I was
> a member of their panel and took surveys which were product reviews
> in the
> form of images with embedded text. I requested that an alternate
> form of the
> reviews in text only format be available, but she declined. I will
> paste the
> contents of her email reply below this message. The questions
> following the
> product descriptions did not directly relate to the images or require
> physically viewing the products. They were things like evaluating
> the value
> and price and whether or not it was a product I would buy. Nothing
> in the
> survey required visual analysis of the image and just as much
> information
> could have been transmitted via an alternate link containing a text
> version
> of the descriptions.
>
> Also, in ther FAQs, they state that if you are unable to see the
> images, you
> cannot participate in their surveys. Exact phrasing and a link to the
> current Terms will be provided below. I also intend to make a record
> of the
> current TOS as they appear now for future reference. I will also
> include a
> link to a blog post I made about a year ago related to this site. In a
> year's time, they have done nothing to facilitate accessibility of
> their
> surveys and I seriously believe something should be done to remedy the
> discrimination situation.
>
> ---FAQ quote and link as of June 2, 2009 at 12:38 a.m. MST---
> If I'm unable to see the product concept, should I complete the survey
> anyway?  Your ability to view the product concept in the survey is a
> requirement for participation in the study. As a member of the
> PineCone
> Research panel, you directly influence   which products get
> developed and
> help ensure that these products meet consumer demands.  Your opinion
> will
> have an impact on everything from product performance to style,
> varieties,
> features, pricing...you name it.If you are ever unable to view the
> product
> concept in one of our surveys, whether it's presented in a picture or
> video   format, please contact us at scott at pineconeresearch.com for
> troubleshooting assistance. Surveys submitted by those who were
> unable to
> view the product concept are not   included in the study data
> http://www.pineconeresearch.com/faq.asp#genpar14
>
>
> ---May 15, 2008 blog post link---
> http://zhuuraan.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/pinecone-research-discriminates-dont-join-them/
>
> ---Copy of email from Karen Scott of Pinecone Research---
> RE: FAQ + 35811-1002 /ID 388210
>
> Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:23 PM
>
> From:
>
> "Karen Scott (USA)" <scott at pineconeresearch.com>
>
> Add sender to Contacts
>
> To:
>
> zhuuraan84 at yahoo.com
>
> Thank you for your comments.  Unfortunately, our online surveys are
> specifically designed for panelists who are fully able view the
> product
> images.  If your visual impairment prevents you from seeing such
> images and
> pictures, you will not be able to be a panelist.  Please let me
> knowwhether
> you wish to remain on the panel.Cordially,Karen ScottWeb site:
> http://www.pineconeresearch.com
> E-mail:
> scott at pineconeresearch.com
> Ref: 06-----Original Message-----From:
> zhuuraan84 at yahoo.com
> [mailto:
> zhuuraan84 at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 2:38 To: Karen Scott (USA)Subject: FAQ +
> 35811-1002 /ID 388210Additional details:I would like to request that
> a text
> form of
> the product descriptions be provided. I am visually impaired and it
> is very
> difficult to read them.I have to strain my eyes to do so. I don't
> believe it
> would be that hard to extract the text only from the picture and
> link to it
> as analternative. Thiss would benefit myself, as well as any other
> members
> orprospective
> members which have visual problems. I would greatly appreciate it if
> future
> studies could have a link to the text version.Name: Amanda
> RobertsonEmail:
> zhuuraan84 at yahoo.com
> Panelist: YesHousehold ID: 388210Study Number: 35811-1002Web Browser:
> Operating System: The following problems/issues were checked:     -
> Other
> Participation
>
>
> Feel free to pass this to everyone you know. This is blatant
> discrimination
> if I've ever heard of it and in a year, they've done nothing to
> change it.
>
> Amanda Robertson
>
>
> P.s. There are a few portions of their site that aren't accessible
> as well
> and could easily be made so.
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