[Sportsandrec] accomodations and labeling cardio equipment

Tue Apr 21 14:47:19 UTC 2009

Hi,
I'm busy but i did attend a meeting last month.
I also read the braille Monitor and didn't see anything about that possible 
legislation.    Perhaps I just missed it.

If congress writes legislation about gadgets with flat screens, are you sure 
they will apply to fitness equipment?

I was thinking if we raised concern in numbers to manufacturers they will 
listen.  I might call the companies who sell  the fitness equipment, but one 
complaint I'm afraid won't go far.

Ashley
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Shaw" <jrs3147 at comcast.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 11:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] accomodations and labeling cardio equipment

> 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
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>
>
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