<html>
<body>
<b>From:</b> Gene Fleeman
[<a href="mailto:gfleeman55@gmail.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:gfleeman55@gmail.com</a>] <br>
<br>
<br>
Hi everyone,<br>
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.<br>
Thank you,<br><br>
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link: <br><br>
<a href="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?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created">
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</a>
<br><br>
Here's why it's important: <br>
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. <br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
Again thank you for your support,<br>
Gene Fleeman<br>
Member,<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
<br>
<b>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 <a href="tel:1-855-659-9314">1-855-659-9314</a>
or visit
<a href="http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org">
www.carshelpingtheblind.org</a> Your donation can take the blind
further.<br><br>
<br><br>
</b>-- <br>
Gene Fleeman<br>
<br>
<b>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
<a href="http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org">
www.carshelpingtheblind.org</a> Your donation can take the blind
further.<br>
</b></body>
</html>