[musictlk] Inaccessible online contact forms and Websites

[David Andrews]

Also, if the music is streamed properly, a press of the Escape Key 
should silence it.

Dave

At 10:52 AM 2/12/2011, you wrote:
>I agree.  However, we should also recognize that this is not a problem for
>those using external synthesizers or multiple soundcards.  I point this out
>only to show that we need not depend upon website modification if the
>situation vexes us enough.
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Michael
>Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 8:35 AM
>Tos: NFBnet Music Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [musictlk] Inaccessible online contact forms and Websites
>
>I was directed to a web site that sells guitar instruction via audio format
>called talkingtabs.com.  Upon opening this site I too couldn't shut off the
>instant commercial about the site that immediately began, prohibiting me
>from hearing my screen reader.  This site was begun by a father whose son
>lost his sight and needed a substitute for the sports that he had
>participated in and found nearly no guitar instruction with enough audio
>format.  You would think that he, of all people, would be aware of the
>accessibility challenges of such a commercial.
>
>Michael
>
>Michael----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>To: "'NFBnet Music Talk Mailing List'" <musictlk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 11:03 PM
>Subject: Re: [musictlk] Inaccessible online contact forms and Websites
>
>
> > Joshua:
> >
> > I believe all of us share your frustration.  However, I wonder if you've
> > pondered the following questions:
> >
> > (1) To what extent do these blind musicians (yes, including Ronnie
> > Millsap)
> > have control over their own affairs and to what extent are they "kept"
> > people?  Lest you think I'm casting aspersions on blind musicians, plenty
> > of
> > sighted musicians (famous and otherwise) are also "kept".  Specifically,
> > how
> > much control or knowledge do they even have over their own websites?
> >
> > (2) You desire an enforcement mechanism.  What would it be, who would do
> > the
> > enforcing and, perhaps most importantly, who would pay for the
> > enforcement?
> > What leverage would we have, considering that we're a small minority and
> > that these websites may or may not be places of public accommodation under
> > the Americans with Disabilities Act?  NFB can't sue the owners/operators
> > of
> > every website.
> >
> > The only viable option is to try to contact the website administrators to
> > try to get them to change.  This may require sighted assistance.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> > Behalf Of Joshua Lester
> > Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 8:22 PM
> > To: NFBnet Music Talk Mailing List
> > Subject: [musictlk] Inaccessible online contact forms and Websites
> >
> > Hi, it's Joshua Lester. Before the moderator accuses me of going off
> > topic, this has something to do with musicians. I'm tired of musicians
> > in general putting inaccessible contact forms on their sites. Those
> > forms include security codes, that we have to type in, in order for
> > the E-mails to send. I'm fine with security, but they should do what
> > some sites are already doing. They're putting an audio file there, so
> > you can hear those characters, that they want you to type in. Two
> > sites of interest, are of blind musicians. Gordon Mote, and Ronnie
> > Milsap have inaccessible forms on their sites. Gordon, is a Southern
> > Gospel singer/musician, and Ronnie Milsap is a famous Country star.
> > They're both blind. They should have thought about that. I have also
> > noticed that some sites have music as soon as you go on their site.
> > You can't shut it up! It's hard to hear Jaws reading something, when
> > their music is blasting at you! I can hit escape, on some sites, and
> > that shuts it up. Some sites, however, aren't that easy. What I'm
> > calling for is across-the-board accessibility regulations on all
> > Websites, be they music, news, or other. I'm tired of this mess! These
> > people should be more considerate.
> > Blessings, Joshua