[CT-NFB] Fw: Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients

[maryanne.melley at gmail.com]

Hello Jen,

 

The NFB has been working with our representatives in Washington DC to try and remedy inaccessible websites such as the one from DSS that you are dealing with. No one person will be able to take care of this problem. You most definitely should not need sighted assistance to be able to use any website. Like many things for the blind equality is a continuous battle. Your issue has been brought to the attention of the NFB National office. Once I hear back from then I will email you privately and let you know what you can do to help your cause.

 

Best Regards,

 

Maryanne Melley

President

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

860-212-5549

maryanne.melley at gmail.com

 

Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality

 

From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jen via CT-NFB
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 9:32 PM
To: ct-nfb at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [CT-NFB] Fw: Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients

 

I meant to send this reply to the whole list. Sorry!

 

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net <mailto:spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net> >

To: Phillip A. Magalnick <philmag at optonline.net <mailto:philmag at optonline.net> >

Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 09:30:35 PM EDT

Subject: Re: [CT-NFB] Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients

 

I can procure sighted assistance, and my assistant writes the info on paper and mails it in. But I do not believe blind clients should have to do this.

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 08:27:48 PM EDT, Phillip A. Magalnick <philmag at optonline.net <mailto:philmag at optonline.net> > wrote: 

 

 

I am very sorry to hear this.

If you are unable to find anyone to assist you, please  contact me and perhaps I could help.

Phil

 

 

Phillip A. Magalnick,JP

Mobile 203–912-5783

Justice of the Peace,CT

Certified, Connecticut ADA Coordinator

Chairman, Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council,DOADS-BESB

Chairman, City of Stamford ADA Advisory Council

Member, Stamford Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee

 

Founding member, Member, City Of Stamford IDEASS Council 

 

Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> 

 

  _____  

From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> > on behalf of Jen via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> >
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 3:19 PM
To: ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>  <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net <mailto:spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net> >
Subject: [CT-NFB] Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients

 

I would like to bring up a matter of great concern to me because I need your help on how to proceed.

 

I am a client of the Department of Social Services (DSS), and their site is inaccessible. One issue has been resolved for me but not others. One issue remains unresolved.

 

First, they have a CAPTCHA to create an account which has no accessible alternative. I could only have a DSS worker create an account for me when I brought up the fact CAPTCHA inaccessibility is a violation of the ADA. Before that, I was told by IT the CAPTCHA design was just the way their site was and to get sighted assistance. I refused. I do not believe blind clients should have to rely on sighted assistance to creat their own accounts, especially when accessible account creation and CAPTCHAs are possible. I have seen both and told DSS this.

 

Now to the second, unresolved issue. Their benefit renewal forms are designed so a blind person can't press on the "Next" button with a screen reader after filling out their basic information. When you press the "Next" button, nothing happens. I tested it with Narrator but to no avail. So I have to get sighted assisntace every three months to renew my benefits on paper.

 

I'm sure I'm not the only blind DSS client in the state.

 

Thank you for your assistance.

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