[Electronics-Talk] Cablevision's accessible solution

[Tracy Carcione]

Cable vision is our TV provider.  We've been pestering them to make our
cable box accessible for at least a year, and reminding them of the law
requiring they do so.  They say they are working on an accessible set-top
box, but it won't be ready for nearly a year.  In the meantime, they have
given us an interim solution, which I'll describe, in case there are other
Cablevision customers here.

First, it requires the most expensive DVR package they have.  I've read that
is often the case with these accessible cable deals.  Don't know who decided
that any blind guy who wants to access things must be rich, but there it is.

Once the multi-room DVR was installed, they connected an Amazon Fire TV
stick to the TV, which connects to a MotoG android phone with Cablevision's
accessible app loaded on it.  Using the app, I can look at the TV guide, or
do Voice Search, set or delete recordings, and see the On Demand list.  I
haven't tried using the app to select a show yet, but it's supposed to be
possible.  What is not possible is using the app to find and watch a
recording, which is annoying.

The app is a bit clunky and slow, but it's better than nothing.

The Cablevision techs were very helpful.  The supervisor said I'm the first
person in the state to get the accessible system, and he and I had several
suggestions for improvements, which he passed on to the app developers.

I'm still debating whether the solution warrants the expense, but, like I
said, it's better than nothing.

Tracy