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

[Rick Alfaro]

Hi, I agree that it won't be repealed. What I am concerned about is enforcement of the same. I definitely agree with the hammer approach in this case but rules are only useful if they are inforced. Personally, I'm a Comcast subscriber and am absolutely satisfied with their attention to accessibility. I used to subscribe to both dish and DirectTV. About 3 years ago, dish was the worst because at least in this area, one of the top 25 markets, A.D. was not being passed through on HD channels, only SD. DirecTV was much better but neither had fully accessible boxes or dvrs. I'm very glad to see that a few other providers have stepped up. I'm certainly not naïve enough to think that we would have gotten this accessibility if it weren't for government regulation and inforcement.



Best regards,

Rick Alfaro

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jen via gui-talk
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 12:20 PM
To: 'Discussion of the Graphical User Interface, GUI Talk Mailing List' <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for blind subscribers

I respectfully disagree. I think the ADA fits into this because these companies are getting federal funding, and TV is an auxiliary aid. So President-elect Trump's incoming FCC chair's position wouldn't matter because the ADA won't be repealed. What are everyone's thoughts on this?

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Levy via gui-talk
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 6:55 AM
To: Discussion of the Graphical User Interface, GUI Talk Mailing List <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Gerald Levy <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for blind subscribers

Well, you can essentially kiss the Telecommunications Accessibility Act goodbye. The current FCC Chairman, Tom Wheeler, will be stepping down on Jan. 20, and his successor, appointed by the incoming president-elect, is likely to favor less government regulation of 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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