[gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for blind subscribers

[Gerald Levy]

But why should cable companies spend millions of dollars just to satisfy a 
handful of customers simply because "it's the right thing to do".  Cable 
companies have never, ever had reputations for being socially concious, and 
their primary mission is to maximize shareholder return, which means 
maximizing profits and minimizing costs.  That's the reason for the merger 
between Charter and Time Warner to form Spectrum Cable.  And so unless the 
government forces them to comply with the Telecommunications Act, which 
seems less likely under the new administration, the cable companies have 
absolutely no incentive to change the way they do business. Do you think 
they really care about attracting more blind customers because they offer 
accessible boxes?They couldn't care less about us blind consumers, and 
anyone who believes otherwise is being naive. And of course, it is 
impossible to take your business elsewhere, as you suggest, because in most 
major markets, the local cable companies have absolute monopolies with no 
competition.

Gerald



-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike Arrigo via gui-talk
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:41 AM
To: gui-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Mike Arrigo
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for 
blind subscribers

I actually agree with less government regulation, right now we have so
much regulation in this country that it's discouraging anyone from
running businesses here. I'm not just talking about telecommunication,
but in general. The best thing to do is to get these companies to
realize that blind people are also consumers and that making their
services accessible is the right thing to do, in short, they should do
this because they want to, not because they have to. Of course, some
companies will not do this no matter what, and in that case, you vote
with your dollar and take your business elsewhere.
Original message:

> Well, you can essentially kiss the Telecommunications Accessibility Act
> goodbye.  The current FCC Chairman, Tom Wheeler, whill be stepping down on
> Jan. 20, and his successor, appointed by the incoming president-elect is
> likely to favor less government regulationof the airwaves and minimal
> enforcement of FCC rules. So there will not be any pressure on the cable
> companies or TV manufacturers to make their products blind accessible.
> Anyone who believes otherwise is living in a dream world.  So unless your
> cable provider already offers accessible boxes, you will probably have a
> very long wait to get one.  Spectrum Cable, which has been bombarding 
> local
> TV stations in New York City to introduce itself and proclaim ""a new day"
> for cable TV service, still has absolutely no plans to offer accessible
> boxes any time soon, and now there will be little pressure on them to do 
> so.

> Gerald



> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Andrews via gui-talk
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 8:12 PM
> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
> Cc: David Andrews
> Subject: [gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for blind
> subscribers

> The area of accessible television is getting more
> activity of late -- this information may interest you.

> Dave





>> From: Ray Foret jr <rforet7706 at comcast.net>
>> Subject: more TV providors provide talking menus for blind subscribers
>> Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2016 02:50:28 -0600
>> To: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>

>> Greetings,
>> As we all know, the Federal Communications Commission has inacted the
>> Telecommunications act which requires provision for talking menu and or
>> talking guide structure for blind subscribers of TV providing services.
>> The first link is critically important for it leads to a FAQ sheet in 
>> which
>> there is information for filing complaints if necessary:

>> <https://www.fcc.gov/television-and-set-top-box-controls-menus-program-guides-factsheet>https://www.fcc.gov/television-and-set-top-box-controls-menus-program-guides-factsheet


>> Following is a list of TV providers who now provide some kind of audio or
>> talking menu structure for blind subscribers.  Mostly, these providers
>> require that the subscriber have the top of the line DVR box for this to
>> work.  I must admit that I was quite surprised to see the TV satellite
>> companies on board.


>> Comcast:

>> <http://www.comcast.com/accessibility>www.comcast.com/accessibility

>> Tivo:
>> <https://www.tivo.com/accessibility>https://www.tivo.com/accessibility
>> Spectrum, (formerly Charter)
>> <http://www.charter.net/support/accessibility/talking-guide-spectrum-guide-support/>http://www.charter.net/support/accessibility/talking-guide-spectrum-guide-support/
>> Direct TV:
>> <https://support.directv.com/equipment/talking-guide-faq>https://support.directv.com/equipment/talking-guide-faq
>> and Dish Network:
>> <https://www.dish.com/accessibility/>https://www.dish.com/accessibility/
>> Verizon Fios:
>> <http://www.verizon.com/about/accessibility/text-speech?pos=1>http://www.verizon.com/about/accessibility/text-speech?pos=1

>> Of course, Apple TV is accessible and that’s always a plus too.



>> Sent from my Mac, The Only computer with full accessibility for the blind
>> built-in

>> Sincerely, The Constantly Barefooted Ray,

>> Still a very happy Comcast XFinity Voice Guidance, Mac, Verizon Wireless
>> iPhone7+ and Apple TV user!
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