[Electronics-talk] cable access

Tue Jan 7 04:53:04 UTC 2014

Well, I don't agree with your first statement. More and more appliances 
are incorporating electronics, so there are more consumer electronics 
devices out there than ever before. Maybe the percentage of accessible 
consumer electronics is slipping a bit, but that doesn't mean there 
isn't a need for such a list and helpful discussions on how to get the 
most out of our electronics, what the accessible options are and how to 
lobby for increased accessibility in all consumer electronics.

Under our Christmas tree this year, I got a pair of Aftershokz Bluez 
bluetooth headphones, which are wonderfully accessible, including spoken 
messages regarding battery strength and connectivity. My wife got a 
Kindle, which now has accessibility built in. My son got a Windows Phone 
smart phone, which is not accessible but should be.

When I look around my house, there are only two or three appliances that 
I would consider mostly inaccessible, and one of them I wouldn't use 
even if it were accessible. This house is just over a year old, so most 
of the appliances are less than two years old. I've talked about my TiVo 
box, Yamaha receiver, range and clothes washer/dryer on this list 
before. My dish washer is also completely accessible as is my 
programmable coffee pot and variable temperature tea pot. My microwave 
and refrigerator aren't accessible, but they're still usable. I'd say my 
blue Ray player and oven aren't accessible at all, but I didn't put much 
effort into ensuring they'd be accessible.

When I said there wasn't much traffic on this list regarding accessible 
consumer electronics, I was talking about the signal to noise ratio. 
There seems to be more traffic on working from home, how bad off shore 
customer service is, the evils of big business and government and so on 
then there is on how to get our hands on more accessible consumer 
electronics.

On 01/06/2014 06:39 AM, Gerald Levy wrote:
>
> Well, the reason there is so little traffic on this list lately is that
> fewer and fewer electronic products and appliances are being made that
> are blind friendly or usable. But in the interest of contributing
> something positive, I just learned from someone on another list about an
> unusual new tactile analog watch that is especially designed for blind
> consumers and uses a pair of ball bearings that revolve around the watch
> face to indicate the time, rather than hands as on a traditional Braille
> or conventional analog watch. You tell the time by feeling the position
> of the ball bearings.  Called the Bradley Watch, and developed and
> marketed by a new startup company named Eone Timepieces, it has no lid
> or crystal, uses a battery-powered quartz movement, and costs $175.
> Many of you have been looking for a watch that is more discreet and
> stylish than the typical black plastic talking watch and that is more
> reliable than a Braille watch, and the Bradley watch may be the answer.
> For more information:
>
> http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eone/the-bradley-a-timepiece-designed-to-touch-and-see#project_faq_62222
>
>
> Gerald
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Chaltain"
> <chaltain at gmail.com>
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2014 10:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>
>
>> This is a completely unfounded statement. There are plenty of laws on
>> the books and enforced, which are not popular with "big business" such
>> as the ADA and other equal rights laws, health care, environmental
>> laws, anti-trust laws and the list goes on. The fact that mergers even
>> have to be approved by the government is an example of this. Remember,
>> the AT&T and T-Mobile merger was not approved. I also don't agree with
>> the underlying assumption here that "big business" is evil. Big
>> business hires an awful lot of people, provides quite a few jobs and
>> pays quite a bit in taxes.
>>
>> If you Google for the proposed merger between Time Warner and ComCast,
>> you'll find more links than you can shake a stick at. Most seem to
>> think it's unlikely that this merger will be approved by the FCC/FTC
>> and White House but this article doesn't seem to think it's impossible
>> http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57613685-93/is-comcast-time-warner-cable-really-unthinkable-maybe-not/
>>
>>
>> On the issue of customer service, it's irrelevant where the customer
>> service is located or what accent the person you're dealing with has.
>> Companies need to provide good customer service, and that can be done
>> as well or as poorly from an office in New Jersey as it can from an
>> office in India.
>>
>> I'm constantly surprised by the amount of negativity on this list.
>> Anyone reading this list would think it's horrible being blind, which
>> kind of surprises me since it's hosted by the NFB. I hope newly and
>> younger blind people aren't discouraged by reading all of this
>> negativity and lack of constructive advice. My suggestion is that
>> people would be happier by distancing themselves from such negativity
>> and negative people by unsubscribing from this list and finding
>> another source of information on accessible consumer electronics. BTW,
>> there seems to be very little traffic on this list as of late
>> regarding accessible consumer electronics, as the message below on how
>> evil government and big business is demonstrates.
>>
>> On 01/05/2014 07:50 PM, wmodnl wmodnl wrote:
>>> Remember, when it comes to the United States government, all rules go
>>> right out the window.  It is a "do as I say" environment, not A Do as
>>> I do" standard. Let's look at things like the ADA, ADAAA, etc.  Big
>>> business always wins in this country with the right political pull.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>> On Jan 5, 2014, at 7:12 PM, "Ray Foret Jr" <rforet7706 at comcast.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Let me pul that up and tell you right now.
>>>>
>>>> The contemporary Christian music channel is 435.  You can find them
>>>> all listed on  newsline starting with 401.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my Mac, the only computer with full accessibility for the
>>>> blind built-in!
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray, still a very happy Mac and Iphone 5
>>>> user!
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 5, 2014, at 4:19 PM, Snow White Dove <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I have the same problem with Comcast.
>>>>>
>>>>> I can’t pull up the Music channels to find out what channel the
>>>>> Contemporary Christian music channel or the country channels are.
>>>>>
>>>>> I had the same problem, the customer service rep seemed like
>>>>> English was not his first language.
>>>>>
>>>>> I asked for a supervisor and I was on hold for way too long and
>>>>> just hung up.
>>>>>
>>>>> Newsline’s TV guide gives me so much choice considering I only have
>>>>> about 15 to 20 channels as far as networks, and don’t know how to
>>>>> get through al the other junk to get to the music stuff which is in
>>>>> the 800’s.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger, LOL.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jenny
>>>>>> On Jan 5, 2014, at 9:25 AM, Gerald Levy <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, here in Time Warner territory in Manhattan, the NFB Newsline
>>>>>> cable guide is a big fat waste of time because their channel
>>>>>> lineup listings are totally out of sync with the actual channel
>>>>>> lineup on my cable system. Indeed, Time Warner's own onscreen and
>>>>>> web site channel guides are out of sync with the actual channel
>>>>>> lineup, and the brain-dead bozos in customer service apparently
>>>>>> don't understand this. A few weeks ago, Time Warner rearranged all
>>>>>> the Music Choice channels, but didn't bother to update their
>>>>>> channel guide to accurately reflect these changes.  So for
>>>>>> instance, both the NFB Newsline and Time Warner channel lineups
>>>>>> list the Jazz channel as being on channel 644, when in reality it
>>>>>> is actually on channel 641, and many of the other Music Choice
>>>>>> channels are not where they are supposed to be,either.  The nitwit
>>>>>> I spoke to in their customer support department didn't seem to
>>>>>> know what I was talking about when I called to inquire about this,
>>>>>> but that is understandable in
>> view of the fact that he spoke with an Indian accent and was probably
>> based somewhere overseas in a bunker.  Now I have no idea of which
>> musical genre is playing on which channel unless I get sighrted help.
>> And now rumor has it that Time Warner  may merge with Comcast to
>> create an even bigger mess.  Unbelievable
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gerald
>>>>>>
>>>>>> .
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pamela Dominguez"
>>>>>> <geodom at optonline.net>
>>>>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2014 9:44 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I use newsline's TV guide to find out what's on and put it on,
>>>>>>> or, like you, channel surf.  I have, occasionally, gotten stuck
>>>>>>> in something I need help out of, but not often.  Pam.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Poppa Bear
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 11:59 PM
>>>>>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'm old school, I just channel surf untill I hear something that
>>>>>>> intrests
>>>>>>> me, but then again, I am always so busy that I only sit in front
>>>>>>> of a TV for
>>>>>>> about two hours a week.
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ashley Bramlett"
>>>>>>> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>>>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>>>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 7:20 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi sandy,
>>>>>>>> same situation.
>>>>>>>> If I hit a wrong button on the remote, it goes into some weird
>>>>>>>> menu or mode. Sometimes, turning off the tv and turning back on
>>>>>>>> resets it.
>>>>>>>> Other times, you just need to get out of the menu. I need
>>>>>>>> sighted help then.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I see no way to have access independently which means if I lived
>>>>>>>> alone, it would be difficult to have tv.
>>>>>>>> It seems like I need assistance for the menus for one reason or
>>>>>>>> another very often.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Sandy
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 10:47 PM
>>>>>>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Ashley,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I took on my dad's directv account and am alone.  No, the guides
>>>>>>>> and all of
>>>>>>>> that I cannot access; now I subscribe to Newsline and I have
>>>>>>>> created a
>>>>>>>> favorites list so listen to that to see some programs I might
>>>>>>>> want. My
>>>>>>>> friend is alone, with really poor sight, and still uses the DVR
>>>>>>>> from Comcast
>>>>>>>> cable and can use some sort of guide.  Tbhe worst for me is if I
>>>>>>>> hit some
>>>>>>>> button and then get no stations.  At times I can experiment and
>>>>>>>> fix it and
>>>>>>>> othwer times I must wait for sighted help.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sandy
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 9:56 PM
>>>>>>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>>>>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Subject: [Electronics-talk] cable access
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I’d like to have a tv when I’m on my own. For now, I can get
>>>>>>>>> assistance with our cable tv options when someone is available.
>>>>>>>>> Actually, we have fios now.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Obviously, I can manipulate the remote; the buttons are tactile.
>>>>>>>>> I can even see the name of a tv program when looking fairly
>>>>>>>>> close to the screen; but reading long menus would not be possible.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> However, much stuff is on screen in this digital age.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Is it possible to have cable or verizon fios when living alone?
>>>>>>>>> I see no way we can access those menus.
>>>>>>>>> In essense you have limited access and pay full price. Would
>>>>>>>>> you pay for it without accessing much of its features?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I’ll just state some features and see if they are accessible
>>>>>>>>> somehow. Maybe you all use aps.
>>>>>>>>> All are on screen, and therefore seem inaccessible.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 1. the tv guide
>>>>>>>>> 2. on demand tv
>>>>>>>>> 3. the dvr function
>>>>>>>>> 4. ordering movies
>>>>>>>>> 5. any statements about station outages.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Do any providers have talking menus or large print ones? Do any
>>>>>>>>> of them provide braille information to you?
>>>>>>>>> How has the company accomodated you, if at all?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> chaltain at Gmail
>>
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>
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-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail