[Diabetes-talk] Accessibility questions, help needed

Thu Jul 19 17:16:16 UTC 2012

Involving lawyers seems a bit extreme and excessive. Trust me, the world
needs to be accessible for everyone, but we also need to find solutions
that don't always involve taking legal action. This seems like an issue
not necessarily warranting such involvement. I don't believe any
discrimination is occurring. AS I said, sometimes we need to be the
leaders of our own destiny and take charge if we feel things are not
being done that should.

And FYI, though I believe all websites should be accessible, it's not
always the most simple thing to do. Working with people as opposed to
taking legal action seems like it would garner better, and more
positive, results than always getting the law involved. Of course when
people refuse such assistance, that's another matter perhaps warranting
legal action. But we can't always go into these situations with that
mindset.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Anita Adkins
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 6:37 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessibility questions, help needed

Hi,

I agree with Bridgit and some of the others. But here is my perspective.
First, alert Weight Watchers of the problem. Depending on their
response, move forward by moving to the next higher level employee in
their organization until you reach the top, explaining the issue. If all
fails, then you have to act to make change. I know the law requires that
websites are accessible, and I also am pretty sure you aren't the only
one not able to access this site. So when presenting to the
company/website manager, you may point out how an accessible and usable
website would benefit you as a member, but that it would also benefit
other members with disabilities, members using smaller devices, etc.
Start out by attempting to work with them. But, when this fails, then
contact somebody like you did with Mike or, in your own case, maybe a
lawyer. I think I've heard the name Dan Goldstein as a lawyer in the
NFB. It might be Brown and Goldstein, but if not, you can research for a
disability lawyer. I agree we need to use more Braille, but I also think
you should be able to access the same material in the same way others
do, meaning on this website if that is how it is presented here. In
addition, making the material accessible on the web and in other formats
would allow the material to be accessible to all. Good luck. Anita

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 3:22 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessibility questions, help needed

Is there a person in your Weight Watcher's group who can assist you with
getting info not accessible? This may also be a great opportunity to
have an accountability partner too. 

Also try accessing the contact us link on the website and simply make
your obstacles clear. I've not personally done this, but I know others
who have contacted website admins when experiencing accessibility
issues, and it seems to turn on a light initiating changes to said
website. 

Also try contacting headquarters if your local group is not providing
info in an accessible manner for you. One point, can you be given info
in another format other than Braille such as via email or even voice
record stuff with a Victor or some other digital recording device?
Braille, right or wrong, is sadly not as easily available as other
accessible mediums these days, and if you really want information, you
may need to make an effort to get it in some other format. Weight
Watchers may also not know where to go to get material in Braille for
you. 

It sounds like you really need to take charge and be the one dictating
all this. Sadly, this is just a fact for those requiring info in
alternative formats. It's not that people want to deny you or not be
helpful, but because they don't have to "deal" with a similar issue,
they are ignorant of what to do or where to go.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at: http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down." The
Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Kline
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:25 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Accessibility questions, help needed

good evening,
i don't know if you guys remember, but a couple of weeks ago I had asked
the question here about Weight Watchers and whether or not their website
and online tools were accessible for someone using a screen reader. As a
follow up to that question, I am very upset to learn that most of site
I'd need to use is not at all accessible. it doesn't respond to screen
reader commands and you can't navigate the thing because it's all flash
and graphics. of course the sign up page reads beautifully. i brought
this problem to our local Weight Watchers people and asked if I could
have the material in another format like braille, but they will not give
me a straight answer for this and the only thing they've given me is a
pocket guide. do I have any recourse here? saying I feel cheated is
pretty mild; I'm very upset that I'm not getting the same opportunities
as other participants though I'm paying the same money, and while
everyone else has multiple options for doing tasks, I don't even have
one. if anyone can offer me somewhere to go for help with this, I'd
appreciate any suggestions. if I'm just plain SOL AND THERE IS no
recourse here, then thanks for letting me vent. julie sent from my
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