[Ohio-talk] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] FW: statement

Sat Mar 8 23:10:26 UTC 2014

Hi Marianne,
I have forwarded this to everyone on my email list and hope others pass the word on as well.
Colleen Roth

----- Original Message -----
From: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com>
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Date: Saturday, Mar 8, 2014 05:35:40 PM
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] FW: statement

>
>
> Here is a petition about making flat panel appliances accessible.  I
> thought I would pass it on if anyone is interested.
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net>
> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 15:55:36 com0600
> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] FW: statement
> 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?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
> 
> 
> 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 exists-such 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
> <telcc1-855-659-9314>1-855-659-9314 or visit
> <http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org>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
> <http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org>www.carshelpingtheblind.org
> Your donation can take the blind further.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
> 
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