[nfbmi-talk] Inaccessible Michigan benefits website

[joe harcz Comcast]

This is a big issue and goes to the former State of Michigan ADA 
coordinator.

Now, trying hard not to "swear" I ask this? "Isn't this documentation in the 
public record of massive discrimination against those whoe are blind?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lydia Schuck" <laschuck at juno.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:07 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Inaccessible Michigan benefits website


> Just as an FYI.  See you all at the convention.  Lydia
> Report Finds State of Michigan Benefits' Website Inaccessible to People
> with Disabilities  by Jenifer Simpson, AAPD Senior Director of Government
> Affairs
>
> A June 22, 2010 report finds that state public benefits agencies are
> relying more on their websites as a means of providing information to the
> public, and as a means for applicants to secure Medicaid, food stamps,
> and cash assistance. However, the report, by the National Center for Law
> and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) at http://www.nclej.org/, shows that at
> least five states - California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas -
> have agency websites with problems that make them inaccessible to people
> with disabilities who are users of assistive technology, and many
> websites are difficult for anyone to navigate.
>
> The report, "The Closed Digital Door: State Public Benefits Agencies'
> Failure to Make Websites Accessible to People with Disabilities and
> Usable for Everyone," describes barriers to access for people with
> disabilities when applying for cash and other benefits online, requesting
> an application, searching the website, or contacting the agency by email.
> These accessibility problems violate the Americans with Disabilities Act,
> Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and many state web accessibility
> laws and policies. As the federal government and states prepare to
> implement health care reform, and millions of additional people become
> eligible for Medicaid, it is critical that state public benefits agency
> websites are accessible to people with disabilities and usable by
> everyone, so eligible individuals have ready access to information on the
> Medicaid program and the application process. AAPD notes that the
> evaluation did not state assessment of any video materials on these
> websites, and which might involve lack of captioning or video
> description, where used.
>
> The NCLEJ states it will work with advocates to improve public benefits
> agency website accessibility and usability.
> To become involved or for more information, please contact Hannah
> Weinberger-Divack at Tel (312) 368-1104, (312) 368-1104, or E-mail Cary
> LaCheen at lacheen at nclej.org
> See letter sent to State of Michigan Director & Chief Information
> Officer, Kenneth Theis from National Center for Law and Economic Justice
> and State of Michigan Accessibility Policy


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