[Sportsandrec] accomodations and labeling cardio equipment

[Joe Shaw]

Ashley,
Fear not! The NFB has read your mind and is on it!
This issue is contained in the NFB's proposed Technology Blind Bill of 
Rights at our annual Washington Seminar this past February. We have begun to 
ask congress to mandate that all these new gadgets with all their fancy 
menus and flat screens have speech so the little ole blind consumers can use 
em as well. This should not be breaking news to you. Somebody needs to get 
herself to a chapter meeting pronto.
"You gotta fight" "For your right" "To Par tay!!" Fight for Your Right to 
Party Beastie Boys
JS
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 9:03 PM
Subject: [Sportsandrec] accomodations and labeling cardio equipment


> Hi all,
>
> Is anyone frustrated with the flat panneled screens on today's new cardio 
> equipment?  Not only are machines flat, but increasingly they are fancy 
> with programs you can set up to simulate hills and more.  The elipticals 
> seem to be pretty tactile but not other equipment.  The others have only 
> small bumps where the arrows are.  There is not a way to tell one button 
> from another.  I can see the green go button on the treadmills, so after 
> they showed me how to use it, I can start it myself.  Other equipment I 
> get assistance to start.
>
> I think NFB should bring to the manufacturer's attention the need for 
> accessible equipment, having tactile buttons and ideally speech output. 
> I'm going to call them but an organization would carry much much more 
> weight.
>
> Its difficult though to get someone to help.  They are busy.  Some of you 
> mentioned you label the machines.  I would like to get permission to do 
> this.  I hope my gym which is part of a large chain in the DC area, will 
> be receptive to it.
>
> Can you tell me about labeling?  What matterial did you use?  When I 
> labeled my appliances I used clear dimo tape.
> Some of the buttons won't fit braille on them because they are small.  Is 
> there something that you can use small bump dots on?  I only know of that 
> raised glue, can't think of its name; I cannot put that on their machines.
> How many machines do you label?  I was thinking a couple of each kind. 
> This way if someone is using one, there's another one.
> Also how do you locate the labeled machines?  You know gyms have rows and 
> rows of equipment close together.
> Do you count machines?  Then you would know for instance, you labeled the 
> second treadmill on the second row.  With over 20 pieces of a given cardio 
> equipment, I think it would be challenging to locate the right one; you 
> cannot go up and touch them.
>
> What other accomodations did you get?  What about classes?  They are 
> taught visually by instructor modeling.  What classes were you integrated 
> in?
> I was successful with spinning.  For other classes I'm not sure about.  I 
> asked the group fitness director if I could spend time with the instructor 
> prior to class.
> This would allow them to explain the format of class and some of the 
> exercises I was unfamiliar with.
> She said instructors are only paid for the hour they teach class.  Still 
> I'm thinking its reasonable to meet the instructor if their schedule 
> permits it.
> I hope things work in my favor and I can label the machines.
> This way going to the gym would not be such a chore.
>
> Well take care.
> Ashley
> _______________________________________________
> Sportsandrec mailing list
> Sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Sportsandrec:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org/jrs3147%40comcast.net