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

Thu Dec 29 01:13:26 UTC 2016

When I call Cablevision, this time, I can let them know of all the other 
companies that already have the boxes.  I also think I now have the ability 
to switch to Verizon Fios or Spectrum, which I didn't before. So I can tell 
them that I would gladly switch to a company that has accessability in their 
boxes.  That's also why I am interested in seeing this laptop gadget that 
Time Warner/Spectrum is giving out in New York City.  If people start 
hitting them in the pocketbook, that might jog them into doing something, 
possibly.  Pam.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Ray Foret jr via gui-talk
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 1:53 PM
To: Discussion of the Graphical User Interface, GUI Talk Mailing List
Cc: Ray Foret jr
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Fwd: more TV providers provide talking menus for 
blind subscribers

I would caution against the simple minded approach of claiming that the 
Republicans hate the blind and don’t want accessibility while the Democrats 
love the blind and want it.  To my way of thinking, that discussion would 
lead us in to nothing but trouble which we don’t want.  My way of thinking 
is as I have stated before:  but with this additional thought.  I will put 
this in the form of a question.  Which do you think costs more:  pursuation 
and willful compliance there with or forceful regulation?  Okay.  So we don’t 
live in an ideal world:  and therefore, yes, sometimes, the hammer of 
regulation is necessary.  But, consider.  Surely once the companies see the 
benefits of actually doing it in practice rather than mere theorizing, they 
will more willingly comply because they know that there is a public 
relations component to this.  IF you knew of some companies doing this and 
others not:  to whom would you give patronage?  OF course, the companies 
providing the accessibility.  We say we are a small minority:  but, let me 
ask you to think about this.  We can make a lot of noise about something: 
and, I maintain that if we make a loud enough noise in the right way, they 
will not be able to ignore us.  We ourselves may be small in number:  but, 
think about this too.  We know other people and they know people and they 
know people…get the point?  We have a greater impact on this than we might 
at first suppose.
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!

> On Dec 28, 2016, at 11:19 AM, Jen via gui-talk <gui-talk at nfbnet.org> 
> wrote:
>
> 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 thatâ€™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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