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

Thu Nov 3 00:06:24 UTC 2022

 I started this thread because this is an accessibility issue for all blind DSS clients. And if the site were made accessible, it would be better for everyone to use.
    On Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 08:01:00 PM EDT, Phillip A. Magalnick via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:  

   With respect to the comment  that one person cannot cause change, I strongly disagree. When the state of Connecticut DOT initiated it’s Hartford Line train service the specific website for that line was not accessible. Honorata and I met via phone, and in person, with not only executives from CT rides and DOT, but with the web developers out of San Francisco. Very soon thereafter the website did indeed become accessible to us using screen readers.At the same time we experienced inaccessible kiosks at the train stations from which the line tickets were to be purchase.d At the New Haven train station we demonstrated the issue with the aforementioned executives including Supervisor and Tom Aparo, and similarly that issue was resolved.Another issue with the Hartford Line was that the conductors refused to permit disable passengers from purchasing tickets online even though both the website and kiosks were not accessible. Again, this was resolved. It is not always necessary that a large organization be involved with  resolving These state and municipal issues.  Often,, it is as simple as bringing the matter, with supportive  materials, to the right person to get the wheels moving.

Phil 
Get Outlook for iOS   From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Honorata Kazmierczak via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 6:53 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Honorata Kazmierczak <honorata1120 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CT-NFB] Fw: Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients Greetings,
Below I am attaching a link to file a complaint on Connecticut website accessibility. Under their own policy, you WAP, they are obligated to provide independent non-visual access to the website.My recommendation is to fill out this accessible complaint form and then follow up with a phone call to attorney generals office and explain the accessibility issues. You may also want to send an email directly to the attorney generals office. Paperwork/paper trail are always good to have. I believe those two would yield fastest results and resolving this matter.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M8XWWCN?Acc=true&SourceUrl=https://authoring-stage.ct.egov.com/DSS?back=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26as_qdr%3Dall%26as_occt%3Dany%26safe%3Dactive%26as_q%3Dfind+website+for+department+of+social+services+in+Connecticut%26channel%3Daplab%26source%3Da-app1%26hl%3Den

On Wed, Nov 2, 2022 at 11:46 AM Maryanne Melley via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

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>

To: Phillip A. Magalnick <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> 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

From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Jen via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 3:19 PM
To: ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jen <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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-- 
Honorata V Kazmierczak
NFBsouthwestCT at gmail.com Board Member
TheBlindVoices at gmail.com CoFounder
Access-4-All Committee Member
860-620-3128
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