[Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLINDBYFAILINGTOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
David Evans
drevans at bellsouth.net
Mon Jan 16 19:37:18 UTC 2012
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 11:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE
BLINDBYFAILINGTOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
> wow,
> struck a nerve there, ha.
> i was just saying i have seen a trend of blind people saying they are fine
> or say they don't need help when doing so would make the situation go
> smoother and they wouldn't present the mcGoo stereotype.
> second, it sounds like people looking for something similar to battle
> after the recent airport keyosk situation and they expect a different
> outcome?
> Bryan Schulz
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ray Foret Jr
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 10:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND
> BYFAILINGTOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
>
>
> Proud and egotystical? Sir, how absolutely wrong you are. Yes, some
> individual blind people are as you describe; and, there was a time, to
> speak frankly, when I was one of them. Those days have left me now.
>
> Having said that, let me speak directly and frankly to you. I wish
> somebody had hit me over the head with this back in my days as a student
> at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Understand me well. WE, DO, NOT,
> FAKE, INDEPENDANCE! We do not say we never need help. IT, HAS, NEVER,
> BEEN, a teaching of The National Federation OF The Blind that independant
> blind people never need help. If that is what you think of the
> federation, you do not know even a tiny fraction of what you imagine you
> know. Let me repeat myself. It is not, nor has it ever been a teaching
> of the National Federation of the Blind that no independant blind person
> ever needs help. Here's something else. "There is no such thing as a
> “moddel blind person”."!!! People such as yourself who either badly
> understand the federation or perhaps do not understand this at all often
> have this crazy twisted idea in their heads that we hold up a particular
> model blind person and every single blind person who aspires to true
> independance had better live up day in and day out and night in and night
> out to that model. Not all of us march to the same drum.
>
> Okay. You want me to personalize it? Fine. I will. It's the middle of
> winter here, but I'm going to do this anyhow.
> As everybody on this list knows, I just happen to be a blind person who
> very much enjoys going barefooted, (both inside all the time and outside
> in warm weather when possible). Now, Does every blind person I know do
> that? Nope. Some do, some do not. IF any of us do, it's either to one
> degree or another. With me, it's every single moment I can get away with
> it. Others doubtless will do it but will be more reserved and perhaps not
> openly even say so. Still others just will lain not do it at all, no
> matter the season. Strange way to give an example I know. But, I think
> even you should be able to see that there is no hard or fast rule that
> says every blind person must or must not go barefooted.
>
> Now, I have an aversion to whering ties. I will when the ocasion demands
> it; rare indeed for me. Other blind people, however, do love them and,
> when in their professions, will thus atire themselves and do so without so
> much as a second thought; even as I myself did back in my boyhood days at
> the school for the blind in England. Back in those days, I could tie a
> tie perfectly every single time and in no time more than half a second or
> so. Give me a tie nowadays and I'm likely more than not to thumble wiht
> the blasted thing and in the end, it will all come undone or look a sorry
> mess.
>
> Okay. My point is just this. The federation does not dictate the actual
> lives of any of it's members. We follow the federation because we freely
> choose to do so. Another reason is that, while the federation may not be
> perfect, it does best represent the feelings we here have as blind people
> about how this or that really ought to be done. That's why we all help
> when we're able.
>
> begining to get the picture now?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> Facebook:
> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>
>
>
> On Jan 15, 2012, at 8:01 PM, Bryan Schulz wrote:
>
> > hi,
> >
> > this is a main problem i see with blind people; they are too
> proud/egotistical to admit they need help.
> > i guarantee you like at a McDonald's location, one of the workers there
> wouldn't mind saying what movies they have on hand maybe unless it was
> high noon and all lines were 4-5 customers deep.
> > it could actually go smoother as they probably know how to quickly work
> the machine and they feel glad to help.
> > so you say "yes, that one sounds good, thanks" then swipe your card.
> > Bryan Schulz
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ray Foret Jr
> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> > Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 7:48 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND BY
> FAILINGTOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
> >
> >
> > Uh, in which case, how would you propose to enter the choices you
> want? I still maintain the action is correct; and, I want to make my own
> choices. Why should you not?
> >
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
> >
> > Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
> >
> > Skype name:
> > barefootedray
> >
> > Facebook:
> > facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
> >
> >
> >
> > On Jan 15, 2012, at 7:41 PM, Bryan Schulz wrote:
> >
> >> hi,
> >>
> >> this is not like using an atm.
> >> all you have to do is swipe your card and don't have to punch in your
> pin.
> >> other than being able to know what the choices are, the accessibility
> challenge is the same as the airport terminal case which was lost.
> >> if there is one that should be accessible, i would say the airport
> terminal is more important.
> >>
> >> Bryan Schulz
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: Marion Gwizdala
> >> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> >> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 6:58 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND BY
> FAILING TOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
> >>
> >>
> >> Bryan,
> >> There is not an architect in the United States who would design a
> >> building with steps and would not consider designing an alternative
> method
> >> of accessing the building. Similarly, no architect would design this
> >> building with doorways too narrow to accommodate a wheelchair. the
> reason
> >> these accessible design features are so globally implemented into
> buildings
> >> is due to the advocacy of those who use wheelchairs. I suppose one
> could
> >> argue that someone else could go into the building to conduct the
> business
> >> for the wheelchair user, just as you argue that someone else can
> complete
> >> the transaction at Red Box for the blind. The law defines
> discrimination, in
> >> part, as an unequal benefit and this is certainly unequal.
> >> I believe it is reasonable for the blind to expect that digital
> >> architecture is accessible to us. law suits are one of the ways these
> things
> >> are accomplished. In our system of justice known as case law, the
> courts
> >> are responsible for interpreting just what a particular law actually
> means
> >> and defining its practical implementation. It is due time that those
> >> responsible for designing digital architecture be held responsible for
> the
> >> simple features of audible output. Until companies understand that
> blind
> >> people are consumers, we will continue to be unequal.
> >>
> >> Fraternally yours,
> >> Marion Gwizdala
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
> >> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 7:13 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND BY
> FAILING
> >> TOPROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
> >>
> >>
> >> hi,
> >>
> >> so if someone had to take the guy to the location anyway, why is he so
> >> miffed about the machine?
> >> why not sue the film company for leaving out descriptions as well?
> >> people today are very sue happy.
> >>
> >> Bryan Schulz
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: David Andrews
> >> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> >> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 11:54 AM
> >> Subject: [Blindtlk] REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND BY
> FAILING TO
> >> PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>
> >>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> January 12, 2012
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> CONTACTS: Bryan Bashin, CEO, Lighthouse for the
> >>> Blind (415) 694-7346 Lisamaria Martinez,
> >>> plaintiff (510) 289-2577 Michael Nunez of
> >>> Disability Rights Advocates (510) 665-8644 Jay
> >>> Koslofsky of Law Offices of Jay Koslofsky (510) 280-5627
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> REDBOX DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE BLIND BY
> >>> FAILING TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SELF-SERVICE
> >>> KIOSKS Oakland, CA – January 12, 20012 – Recent
> >>> technological advances are sweeping the nattion,
> >>> changing the way people buy products and
> >>> services. Self-service kiosks with automated,
> >>> touch-screen interfaces now allow people to
> >>> bank, shop, and conduct a wide range of
> >>> transactions independently, without the
> >>> assistance of a clerk. This technology is fast
> >>> becoming an integral part of our every day
> >>> lives. Although these technologies can make our
> >>> lives easier, Redbox, a video rental giant, has
> >>> chosen to use self-service kiosks with
> >>> touch-screen controls that exclude the blind
> >>> from using its services. Blind Californians
> >>> cannot use touch-screen kiosks that offer only
> >>> visually-based controls. A class action lawsuit
> >>> filed today in the United States District Court
> >>> for the Northern District of California
> >>> challenges Redboxâ?Ts inaccessible kiosks. The
> >>> lawsuit is the first of its kind in the country.
> >>> The suit is brought by the Lighthouse for the
> >>> Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as five
> >>> blind individuals, on behalf of blind and
> >>> visually impaired people throughout
> >>> California. Plaintiffs are represented by
> >>> Disability Rights Advocates (â?oDRAâ?ˇ), a
> >>> non-profit disability rights legal center
> >>> headquartered in Berkeley, California that
> >>> specializes in high-impact cases on behalf of
> >>> people with disabilities. Plaintiffs are also
> >>> represented by the Law Offices of Jay Koslofsky;
> >>> Mr. Koslofsky is an experienced civil rights
> >>> attorney. Redbox has a major share of the video
> >>> rental market. Redbox DVD rentals account for
> >>> approximately 34% of the DVD rental market
> >>> nationwide. According to Redbox, almost 60
> >>> million videos are rented from its kiosks
> >>> nationally each month. Redbox kiosks can be
> >>> found at thousands of businesses throughout
> >>> California including Save Mart, which is a
> >>> business that is also named as a defendant in
> >>> the lawsuit. For generations, blind and visually
> >>> impaired people have watched and enjoyed movies
> >>> as an ordinary part of daily life. Blind people
> >>> with some remaining vision may watch films on
> >>> their own or with sighted friends and family who
> >>> can describe the details and actions of a film.
> >>> In addition, many blind people enjoy watching
> >>> dialogue driven films. Plaintiff Lisamaria
> >>> Martinez is a legally blind resident of Union
> >>> City, California. â?ˇI love watching movies with
> >>> my husband and son and would like to
> >>> independently rent movies for my family at
> >>> Redboxes,â?ˇ said Lisamaria Martinez. Plaintiff
> >>> Joshua Saunders is a legally blind resident of
> >>> El Cerrito, California who enjoys watching
> >>> movies with friends and family. â?oIâ?Tm not
> >>> asking for the world here but simply for the
> >>> ability to rent DVDs from Redboxes just like
> >>> everyone else can,â?ˇ said Joshua Saunders.
> >>> Redboxâ?Ts inaccessible touch-screen kiosks shut
> >>> out a large and growing community of blind
> >>> Californians. It is estimated that 100,000
> >>> Californians are legally blind and as the
> >>> population continues to age, the number of
> >>> adults with vision loss will increase. The
> >>> technology exists to make self-service kiosks
> >>> accessible to the blind. Accessible ATMs and
> >>> iPhones make use of tactile controls and/or
> >>> screen reading software that enables blind
> >>> people to use these devices. â?oA lack of
> >>> accessibility in newly emerging forms of
> >>> commerce is a symptom of the overall growing
> >>> technological divide that blind people
> >>> experience when companies fail to build in
> >>> accessible features at the onset,â?ˇ said Bryan
> >>> Bashin, Executive Director/CEO of the Lighthouse
> >>> for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
> >>> â?oTechnology is a double edged sword. It has
> >>> the power to enable millions, but it can disable
> >>> many Americans far more than it enables them if
> >>> accessibility is not built into technology at
> >>> the beginning,â?ˇ said Jay Koslofsky,
> >>> Plaintiffsâ?T attorney of the Law Offices of Jay
> >>> Koslofsky. â?oRedbox is shutting out thousands
> >>> of Californians from its services because it
> >>> refuses to make its technology accessible to
> >>> blind consumers,â?ˇ said Michael Nunez,
> >>> Plaintiffsâ?T attorney of Disability Rights
> >>> Advocates. About Lighthouse for the Blind and
> >>> Visually Impaired The Lighthouse for the Blind
> >>> and Visually Impaired, a non-profit corporation,
> >>> is one of Californiaâ?Ts oldest organizations
> >>> serving the blind and visually impaired
> >>> community. The Lighthouse is dedicated to
> >>> aiding blind and visually impaired individuals
> >>> in leading productive, enriching, and
> >>> independent lives. About Disability Rights
> >>> Advocates (DRA) Disability Rights Advocates is a
> >>> non-profit legal center which, for nearly twenty
> >>> years, has specialized in high-impact class
> >>> action litigation on behalf of people with all
> >>> types of disabilities. DRA litigates nationally
> >>> and has offices in New York City and Berkeley,
> >>> California. About Law Offices of Jay Koslofsky
> >>> Jay Koslofsky is an attorney in private practice
> >>> with more than 30 years of experience. He
> >>> specializes in civil rights cases and class action litigation. ###
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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