[nfbmi-talk] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] statement

[Marcus Simmons]

I signed it and circulated to all on my list.
Cordially,
Marcus Simmons C.E.O.
ASE Certified Technician
Simmons BOSS CREATIONS
28179 Brentwood
Southfield,MI 48076-3069
Voice Mail: (866) 811-7018
(248) 552-8928
http://www.simmonsbosscreations.com
ceo at simmonsbosscreations.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christine Boone" <christineboone2 at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2014 4:48 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] statement


Hey guys, this is an important issue.  Any of you who have struggled with a 
modern appliance that is completely inaccessible to us as blind people, will 
want to sign this petition.


> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
>
> From: Gene Fleeman [ mailto:gfleeman55 at gmail.com]
>
>
> Hi everyone,
> I've started the petition "Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers: 
> Incorporate voice technology, audio queues, and/or tactile buttons into 
> your flat panel appliances to make them accessible to the blind and those 
> with low vision." Thanks to 500 supporters, the petition is off to a good 
> start. But to really make a statement to the Appliance Manufacturers of 
> how important this issue is to those with sight impairment, I need your 
> support to make the number of signatures to grow exponentially! Lets join 
> together to make our voices heard.
> Thank you,
>
> Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:
>
> http://www.change.org/petitions/association-of-home-appliance-manufacturers-incorporate-voice-technology-audio-queues-and-or-tactile-buttons-into-your-flat-panel-appliances-to-make-them-accessible-to-the-blind-and-those-with-low-vision
>
> Here's why it's important:
> I started this petition on Change.org, because of the perceived lack of 
> demand, appliance manufacturers have been reluctant to build inexpensive 
> voice/touch technology into their products, thereby making them 
> inaccessible to the blind.  There are approximately seven million blind or 
> low-vision people living in the United States today, and that number is 
> growing every day, due to causes ranging from birth defects, diabetes, to 
> combat injuries, etc.  We clean, do laundry, iron, sew, and travel 
> independently. We are foodservice managers, attorneys, scientists and 
> more.  And yet, when it comes to operating our touch panel home appliances 
> we are practically helpless.  Why?, because appliance manufacturers refuse 
> to incorporate inexpensive technology that already exists­such as those 
> used in smartphones and iPads that make their flat panel appliances 
> accessible to the blind.
> By including audio cues, speech output, or tactile buttons, manufacturers 
> will reduce the likelihood that a blind or sighted person will 
> inadvertently touch a spot on a panel and turn on a burner without knowing 
> it, potentially causing a fire or serious personal injury. Without 
> accessible technology being offered to consumers, people who were once 
> able to cook and clean independently could well find themselves unable to 
> live alone in their own homes.
> But it doesn’t have to be this way! If manufacturers incorporate 
> inexpensive audio and/or tactile technology into their products, they will 
> make a huge difference in the safety of the blind and others as well as 
> the ability of the blind to continue to lead their lives independently, 
> while simultaneously gaining thousands, if not millions, of newly 
> satisfied customers. This is good for blind people who will remain 
> independent; good for manufacturers who will sell products that the blind 
> can use and that are safer for all who buy them; and good for society, 
> which will not be asked to help normally competent human beings live in 
> assisted living or nursing facilities simply because new appliances do not 
> have displays they can read.
> By signing our petition, you will be showing your support and telling the 
> Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers to work in collaboration with 
> the National Federation of the Blind to get their manufacturer members to 
> incorporate these immeasurable improvements in the quality of life, 
> convenience, and safety of the blind and those who are losing their 
> vision.
> Again thank you for your support,
> Gene Fleeman
> Member,
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> Wondering what to do with your old car or truck? Donating your vehicle to 
> the National Federation of the Blind is convenient and may qualify you for 
> a tax deduction. Call 1-855-659-9314 or visit www.carshelpingtheblind.org 
> Your donation can take the blind further.
>
>
>
> -- 
> Gene Fleeman
>
> Wondering what to do with your old car or truck? Donating your vehicle to 
> the National Federation of the Blind is convenient and may qualify you for 
> a tax deduction. Call 1-855-659-9314 or visit www.carshelpingtheblind.org 
> Your donation can take the blind further.
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbnet-members-list mailing list
> Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> List archives: 
> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org>

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