[Blindtlk] Access to video on demand for blind people

[T. Joseph Carter]

The answer depends greatly upon what video and demanded from whom.

Cable video on demand?  Not the least bit accessible right now.
If you want iTunes video on demand from an iPad or Apple TV, you’re 
in luck.  Netflix and similar, I dunno.

Joseph - KF7QZC


On Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 03:38:25PM -0700, Humberto Avila wrote:
>Hello dear Folks,
>
>I am wondering: is anybody familiar with Video On Demand? Is video On demand
>partly or fully accessible for blind people? If your cable company provides
>you with Video On Demand, is it accessible, and / or do you know which
>companies have their video on demand interface accessible?
>I ask this because, as blind people gain access to the latest technology at
>a faster pace than in previous years, we could probably use that service. if
>blind people can use computers running screen readers, laptops, notetakers
>and even touch-screen Iphones and iPads, blind people could also get access
>to their digital cable box interfaces.
>For example, I use charter as my cable provider, and I am able to change
>channels on my remote control independently (I learned the layout of the
>remote plus, I can use the NFB Newsline TV listings feature on NFB newsline
>to see what is going on). when I press the number 1 for channel 1, which is
>video on demand, the advertisements start and I draw blanks.
>although I don't watch TV as much, I would like to know or find out if there
>is a way, if Video on demand is not accessible to the blind, to be able to
>make it accessible and so blind people can access content just like their
>sighted peers. I know there are blind people that love to "watch" TV and
>even go to the movies. So if blind people can do that, why can't blind
>people also get access to their on demand service?
>Is there any sort of screen reading service that is being provided with
>cable companies that can read what is displayed once blind people access
>Video On Demand? I know digital TV boxes are like minicomputers and they act
>like computers, so is it possible to install text-to-speech software on
>those boxes for blind people to not only look up their on demand services
>offerings but, to maneuver all the menus displayed within their boxes also?
>
>Have you ever wondered about this? Any tips on how to make video on demand
>or cable boxes accessible for the blind, or ways to work around it, or
>issues?
>thoughts are welcome.
>
>
>                  --
>Humberto Avila
>Please consider the environment Before Printing this email.
>
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