[Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution

Michael Peterson its_mike at sbcglobal.net
Sat Dec 6 02:34:41 UTC 2008 

    Hi Angela.  My understanding when writing the resolution is at this 
point except perhaps on an individual basis the organized blind hasn't 
aproached these social  networks.  The committee as I understood it would 
begin the process of trying to build bridges and if that became impossible 
would compile evidence and present it to the state and national for possible 
litigation.
The resolution itself doesn't call for litigation but for a committee to be 
set up on the state level to promote cooperation between social networks and 
the blind.
Note this is the first draft but very similar to the finished one I have 
somewhere but couldn't retrieve at the moment.

The resolution reads:
Resolution
Whereas the National Federation of the Blind is a State affiliate of the 
nations Largest organization of blind persons which has a membership of more 
than 50,000 blind individuals..
 And Whereas social networking sites are no longer just a means to keep in 
touch with friends but are  also Used for
advertisements or companies connecting with people and employers, and even 
political
contacts.

And, whereas through the use of social network websites  this organization 
communicates with and informs it's membership, builds a stronger membership 
base, educates the general public and advocates for the blind across the 
nation and around the world
And whereas through the use of social networks professional blind workers 
can mentor Students and assist in reducing the 75% unemployment rate that 
exists in the working aged blind population
 And, whereas through the use of social networking sights the National 
Federation of the blind of California can promote it's core philosophy of 
self confidence and self respect for all blind individuals. And,Whereas with 
increasing opportunities  and technological advances greater numbers of 
blind people than ever before utilize the internet.
And, Whereas blind internet citizens like the rest of the  population use 
social networking sites,  on a regular basis to network with friends and 
participate as contributing members of these web based communities:
And, whereas new enhancements to social networking sites  such as Capcha 
cause accessability problems for blind and visually impaired users who must 
rely on voice screen reading software.
And whereas, these website enhancements can result in inadvertent exclusion 
of blind persons from participation in faceBook MySpace and other 
internetSocial Networking   communities:.
And Whereas Excluding blind people from this increasingly important segment 
of society is a disservice
to the blind community and also impedes  the ability of others who use these 
sites  to access
this large  community.
Therefore be it resolved on October 19, 2008 that the National Federation of 
the Blind of CaliforniaShall distribute this resolution to all social 
networking sites and attempt to create a cooperative dialog between them and 
blind users.
Be it further resolved that the National Federation of the Blind of 
California shall  set up a technology committeed to maintain the ongoing 
dialogue with FaceBook and MySpace as well as other social networking sites 
if needed.
Be it further resolved that the technology committee shall document and 
define screen reading user problems blind persons encounter when using 
social networking sites.
Be it further resolved that this committee shall propose solutions to 
FaceBook MySpace and other social networking sites.
And,finally, be it resolved that the technology committee shall keep the
Membership appraised of all developments regarding social networking sites 
and efforts being made to keep them accessible to all the blind of the State 
and the nation.



Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
To: "'NFB of California List'" <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution


> Have Facebook or Myspace, to anyone's knowledge, even been approached 
> about
> accessibility yet?
> It could be, if we build a strong case that the sites aren't accessible 
> and
> provide practical solutions to this problem that these guys will work with
> us. In that case, legal action wouldn't be necessary.
> If they have been approached, and they have refused to work with us 
> however,
> then maybe we should break out the law books.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Tim Elder
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:32 PM
> To: 'NFB of California List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution
>
> I agree with you Brian.  And the intent of a facebook suit would also be 
> to
> bridge the gap.  However, Target, was a cutting edge decision that barely
> made it through by the skin of its teeth.  The judge narrowly held that 
> only
> those web-based services that have some connection to the physical store 
> are
> covered by the ADA.  Without this nexus, a judge would have to go out on a
> serious limb, against standing law to re-interpret the language of the ADA
> to include websites.  Bottom line, a facebook suit is possible, but we 
> would
> be seriously pushing our luck.  A suit against facebook could be so
> radically distinguishable from Target that it would go against us.  A bad
> decision in a facebook case might prevent us from nudging the Target logic
> to the next baby step.  Say, applying the ADA to all web-based services 
> that
> are even related to a physical location.  A suit against facebook would 
> skip
> this step and might slam the door on pushing the Target logic forward a 
> bit.
>
>
> My last post was focusing on the potential success of a facebook suit, 
> given
> no physical location whatsoever and high probability of user error.  We
> really need a federal amendment to the ADA or at least some 
> regs/guidelines
> that incorporate websites into the ADA on some level.  I would love to see 
> a
> requirement that websites with a certain traffic amount or sales volume be
> required to comply with the ADA.  What a Washington Seminar issue that 
> would
> be for next year...
>
> Regards,
> Tim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Brian Miller
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:03 AM
> To: 'NFB of California List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution
>
> Hi Tim,
>
> I think part of the intent of the Target lawsuit was to try and establish
> the principle of online sites as facilities equivalent to brick and mortar
> stores, therefore being covered under the ADA, addressing the point you
> succinctly make below.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Tim Elder
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 12:06 AM
> To: 'NFB of California List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution
>
> Unlike Target.com, there is no Brick and Mortar physical Facebook store to
> link a law suit to facebook.  The Target suit was only successful because
> they  have physical stores which are in fact covered by the ADA.  Without
> physical stores overlapping the web-based services, there isn't much good
> law to base a suit upon.  So far, the reach of the ADA to web-only 
> services
> is extremely limited.
>
> That being said, updating to the latest version of your browser (Internet
> Explorer 7, Firefox etc.)and the Flash player plug-in version 10 makes a 
> big
> difference in accessibility of facebook.  Also, Jim Barber mentioned on
> another list that m.facebook.com is another good alternative way to access
> facebook.
>
> I did have one question for the list though:  For those using facebook 
> with
> some success, I am wondering if the chat function is accessible.  As far 
> as
> I can tell, the chat function isn't usable, even though I can access most
> other functions.  Jim?
>
> Tim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Lisamaria Martinez, NOMC
> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:32 PM
> To: NFB of California List
> Subject: [Nfbc-info] social networking website resolution
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering what we've done about the social networking website
> resolution.
>
> I have desperately tried to learn the layout of the new FaceBook, but I
> swear the page is refreshing. Plus, certain aspects of the page just don't
> read well with JAWS. for instance, JAWS will say, "---- has accepted your
> friend request." I have no idea who may have accepted my friend request
> because JAWS doesn't read it. But something is there.
>
> It is getting to be quite frustrating especially since many groups,
> organizations, etc. are on FaceBook. My high school class reunion is
> starting to organize on FaceBook and I can't access everything.
>
> If we sued Target, why aren't we suing FaceBook?
>
> LM
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