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

[Mike Arrigo]

I'm in Saint Louis Missouri, I think in places where the talking guide is not available on the cable box, they are providing some kind of tablet that you can use to read the guide, doesn't really sound very useful as you can find out what's coming on on different channels using a computer, hopefully the new talking guide will be available using the cable boxes in all areas soon.
> On Dec 28, 2016, at 6:37 PM, Pamela Dominguez via gui-talk <gui-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Where are you?  It seems that Spectrum is doing different things in different places.  In some places, like New York, they are giving some kind of laptop that may not do everything.  Pam.
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Mike Arrigo via gui-talk
> Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:23 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 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 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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