[Faith-Talk] Fwd: Inclusion of the Blind in Faith Communities

[ajzderad at midco.net]

Hi Charlene,

               Can appreciate your situation.  Had a similar experience, and being a former Information Technology Manager for a Fortune 500 company, had to point out to the staff that there is a Utility in the File folder of the application they are using that will convert the text into alternative accessible formats.  I found this out by contacting  The application vendor, explaining my request; which they then provided me with an email with instructions on how to do so.  Then I sent the instructions to the staff: however, the issue was that it took 5 years before any cooperation – and only after a leadership change.

Allen  

 

From: caota4 at gmail.com <caota4 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 6:53 PM
To: 'Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and religion' <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: ajzderad at midco.net
Subject: RE: [Faith-Talk] Fwd: Inclusion of the Blind in Faith Communities

 

One access issue that I think might be really helpful to address and make life easier for church staff as well, is the software that the churches use for their hymns and songs.  When I asked if someone could download the words for the music for me they have no idea how to save the music as a text file.  Our church secretary is kindly typing out the words for every song or searching on Google for trying to find the right versions of the songs.  There must be a way that the words can be downloaded as a text file so we can put them on a notetaker or put them in braille, whatever works for people.  Church staff have a whole lot better things to do in this day and age when everything is digital.

 

I’m glad to know the issues of accessible tech in faith communities is being addressed.

 

Thanks!

Charlene

 

 

From: Faith-Talk <faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Linda Mentink via Faith-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 3:23 PM
To: faith-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:faith-talk at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: Linda Mentink <lmentink7360 at gmail.com <mailto:lmentink7360 at gmail.com> >
Subject: [Faith-Talk] Fwd: Inclusion of the Blind in Faith Communities

 

Allen, Here's Tom Jones' response.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tom Jones <tjones at faithinclusionnetwork.org <mailto:tjones at faithinclusionnetwork.org> >
Date: Dec 9, 2025 3:31 PM
bject: Inclusion of the Blind in Faith Communities
To: 
Cc: Linda Mentink <lmentink7360 at gmail.com <mailto:lmentink7360 at gmail.com> >

> Allen,
>
> I hope I am emailing the right person.  Linda Mentink of NFB forwarded a comment about technology accessibility in faith communities.  I am working with a group on a Blind and Low Vision Toolkit for Clergy and congregations- a multi-faith toolkit.  I would be interested in including accessible technology suggestions. Do you have a list?
>
> Thanks,
> Rev. Tom Jones   M. Th.
> Executive Director
> 432-553-5456
> Faith Inclusion Network  
>
>
> Disability Ministry Network
> https://disabilityministrynetwork.org
>
> Texas Faith and Disability Network
> https://txfdn.org
> https://www.facebook.com/txfdn
>
> Founder, Sharing Hands A Respite Experience (SHARE)
> https://sharewtx.org