[stylist] Request from NFB's Performing Arts Division, re CD Baby accessibility

Tue Nov 3 20:23:04 UTC 2009

Hi Fred,
Thanks again for writing to them. FYI, this is the same exact letter 
that one of the sighted CD Baby artists received from them. Some of the 
blind artists who count on holiday sales will obviously be out of luck 
this year. My article is coming along and I hope to have it published 
next week. If anyone knows any blind artists who use CD Baby, please 
forward me their names. I'm putting together a partial list of blind 
recording artists on the site for the article. I already know about Neal 
Ewers, Kevin Reeves, Lisa Ostrow, Veronica Elsea, & Sarah Alawami. I'm 
sure I'm forgetting some.
Thanks,
Donna
Donna

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Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
www.padnfb.org

Fred Wurtzel wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Here is the reply from CDBaby along with my original post to them.  FYI.
>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Fred
>
> Hi Fred,
>
> I am so sorry!
>
> We are aware that our website upgrade was actually a huge downgrade for the
> blind. Our site used to be VERY user friendly, and I think that it was
> overlooked by our programmers.
>
> It IS a priority thoug, and we are working on making a dial up site that
> will be readable. This isn't going to happen anytime in the next 2-3 months,
> but we ARE working on this and it is an issue that is not being ignored! 
>
>  We are disappointed by this too. We were really proud of how accessible our
> site was before for the blind, and we would love to have this fixed so we
> don't loose these customers 
>
> Cheers,
>
> Amy
>
>
> In Reply To:
> Hello,
>
>  
>
> I have used your web site for many years.  Some of my friends have their
> material on your service.  Suddenly, it will not work with my screen reader.
> Since I am blind, this is how I must navigate your site.  The preview
> function is totally unuseful.  Could you please fix this?  I am sure it is
> something simple like a setting or something.  
>
>  
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>  
>
> Best Regards,
>
>  
>
> Fred Wurtzel
>
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Donna Hill
> Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:24 AM
> To: nfbp-talk; NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: [stylist] Request from NFB's Performing Arts Division, re CD Baby
> accessibility
>
>
> Hi Friends,
> Below is a post from Performing Arts Division President Dennis Holston 
> which just appeared on Perform-Talk. CD Baby customers using screen 
> readers are no longer able to use the site to either listen to clips of 
> songs or purchase them. The company has been blowing off the requests of 
> blind fans and blind musicians who have their work posted with CD Baby. 
> Dennis shares his letter along with the contact information for CD Baby.
> Please help by sending a short e-mail or making a call... and by passing 
> on this post.
> Thanks,
> Donna Hill, Head of Media Relations
> NFB's Performing Arts Division
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: 	[Perform-talk] CDBaby
> Date: 	Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:28:49 -0500
> From: 	Dennis H.R. Sumlin <DHolston at nyc.rr.com>
> Reply-To: 	Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: 	Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>
>
>
> Hello All.
>
>
>
> I have written a short letter to the people at CDBaby about the current
> issue of access.  I encrage people to fax and send snail mail letters to
> them as well as call them.  The CDBaby info and my letter are below.
>
> Feel free to pass around this letter.
>
>
>
>
>
> EMAIL
> cdbaby at cdbaby.com
> PHONE
> 1-503-595-3000
> 1-800-BUY-MY-CD
> FAX
> 1-503-296-2370 
>
> To Whom it may concern.
>
>  
> My name is Dennis Sumlin Holston, president of the Performing Arts division
> of the National Federation of the Blind (PAD, NFB).  We are a volunteer-run
> non-profit and a CD Baby member artist. It has come to our attention that
> the online music store "CDBaby" recently made an upgrade to their website.
> As a result, the previously blind user friendly website became unusable by
> blind customers.  This has caused a major interruption in the day-to-day
> purchasing of CD's from the site.  Blind artists all over the country are
> using CDBaby as an avenue to sell their music.  The Performing Arts
> division's 2007 release of Sound in Sight, a major source of income for our
> projects,  is also being sold through this method.  
>
>  
>
> Blind CD Baby customers have written to you about this issue as far back as
> two months ago. I encourage CDBaby to look into and rectify the
> accessibility issues on their site.  If needed, the Performing Arts division
> of the NFB will offer any assistance in this effort.  If there are any
> questions as it relates to this issue, please feel free to contact me.
>
>  
>
> Sincerely:
>
> Dennis Sumlin Holston 
>
> President, Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind.
>
> DHolston at nyc.rr.com
>
> 212 933-0688
>
>
> ********
> Dennis Sumlin Holston.
> President: Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind.
> (347) 875-7469 
> http://www.padnfb.org
> President: Westchester chapter of New York State.
> Artist Recruitment Specialist: The Visionary Media Company
>
>
>
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