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

[David Goldfield]

I'd like to add to Mike's excellent suggestion and recommend that 
customers who use the accessibility features of these set-top boxes 
contact the providers with detailed feedback and suggestions. Some of 
these companies are a bit new to this  space and providing feedback may 
be the only way they'll initially have to improve features. In the 
interest of full disclosure, I'm a contractor on Comcast's accessibility 
team. Even though we have dedicated product testers and developers with 
knowledge of accessibility, we also request and rely upon user feedback 
to help us to know what we're doing well and what could use further 
improvement.

           David Goldfield,
       Assistive Technology Specialist

Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info

On 12/28/2016 10:23 AM, Mike Arrigo via gui-talk wrote:
> I got a new box from Charter spectrum last week, and I have to say, 
> it's really nice. The menus speak allowing you to change the set top 
> box settings such as audio output, whether to enable the second audio 
> program feature, which is where video descriptions are usually 
> carried, and to read information about the box such as the software 
> version. My box is not a DVR, just a cable box. Also, when you press 
> the guide button, the guide speakss as you move through the different 
> items. Finally, as you move to different channels, the channel name 
> and current program are spoken. I would encourage anyone who has this 
> available to take advantage of it. While it is required by law, the 
> more people who take advantage of the service, the better, as it lets 
> the companies know that there is an interest in these features, and 
> may encourage them to continue making it better rather than just 
> providing the minimum that is required. One major provider that was 
> not on this list is AT&T u-verse, wonder if they will end up providing 
> something as well. It's kind of a shame that it took a law to get 
> companies to do this, they should have done it because it's the right 
> thing to do, but I guess we benefit either way.
> Original message:
>> 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 thatâ?Ts 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!
>> _______________________________________________
>> gui-talk mailing list
>> gui-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gui-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> gui-talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/gui-talk_nfbnet.org/n0oxy%40charter.net 
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> gui-talk mailing list
> gui-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gui-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> gui-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/gui-talk_nfbnet.org/david.goldfield%40outlook.com 
>