[Nfb-editors] Blind Massachusetts Residents Unable to Access Emergency Information

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:

Mika Pyyhkala

National Board member

President, NFB of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Massachusetts

(617) 202-3497

pyyhkala at gmail.com





Blind Massachusetts Residents
Unable to Access Emergency Information





Contractor Everbridge Blocks Blind Subscribers
  from Emergency Alert Systems



Boston, Massachusetts (December 6, 2010): The National Federation of 
the Blind of Massachusetts (NFB of MA) is working to resolve an 
emergency issue with the City of Boston and one of its contractors, 
Everbridge.  The city contracts with Everbridge to provide a 
subscription service whereby residents can receive emergency alerts 
by telephone, text message, or e-mail, but blind residents cannot 
access the service because registering involves a visual 
captcha.  Captchas are automated tests used to tell humans and 
computers apart, often through the use of distorted letters that must 
be retyped by the person attempting to register for an online 
service.  Since blind people cannot respond to visual-only captchas, 
which cannot be read by screen access software used by the blind, 
many entities provide an audio alternative or some other form of 
captcha, such as a simple logic question.  Everbridge's system 
provides no such alternative.



NFB of MA President Mika Pyyhkala has been unable to reach the 
company since discovering the problem on November 29, despite 
repeated attempts at contact through its Twitter and Facebook 
accounts, e-mail addresses, and telephone customer service system, as 
well as a telephone call to the office of its CEO.



Mika Pyyhkala, president of the National Federation of the Blind of 
Massachusetts, said: "Blind people need timely access to information 
in emergency situations, just like everyone else.  Clearly, however, 
Everbridge did not give this basic need any consideration when it 
designed its system; nor did the cities of Boston, Waltham, and 
Winchester consider the needs of their blind citizens during their 
procurement processes.  The sluggish response by Everbridge and the 
City of Boston to this emergency is deplorable given that it would be 
very easy for Everbridge to fix this problem or for the city to 
procure this service from a company that does not use a visual 
captcha as the sole means of allowing users to register.  The 
Everbridge accessibility issue represents a wake-up call for every 
CIO and CTO regarding technology, civil rights, and timely 
communication with stakeholders."





###