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

Fri Nov 4 01:23:17 UTC 2022

hi, everyone, I absolutely love AIRA. They are absolutely wonderful and the agents are very knowledgeable. Esther

Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 13 Pro Max!

> On Nov 3, 2022, at 9:17 PM, David Andrews via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>  It is Aira, and it totally works for blind persons, no matter the level of vision, or lack thereof!
> 
> Dave
> 
> At 11:29 AM 11/3/2022, Jen via CT-NFB wrote:
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>> What do you mean by "Irea?" I am totally blind, so I don't think it would be useful.
>> 
>> On Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 12:03:59 PM EDT, Elizabeth Rival via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote: 
>> 
>> 
>> HiJen, Maryanne will get back to you. If you have free Irea, then they can help make that site accessible for you, its free till March. Sign up. Beth
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Maryanne Melley via CT-NFB
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2022 11:45 AM
>> To: 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List' <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: maryanne.melley at gmail.com
>> Subject: Re: [CT-NFB] Fw: Department of Social Services Website Inaccessible for Blind Clients
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> 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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