[stylist] CD Baby removes accessibility for blind musicians and fans

Fri Oct 30 20:19:45 UTC 2009

Hi Fred,
Thanks so much for taking this step. Who knows, we might get their 
attention. Perhaps you can ask your friend who has a CD on CD Baby if 
they would like to make a statement for the article about their interest 
in blind customers? I'd like to have a sighted artist who recognizes the 
importance of blind customers as well as blind artists. I can include 
links to sites for people I interview.
Donna

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Hear clips from "The Last Straw" at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill

Apple I-Tunes

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

Fred Wurtzel wrote:
> Hi Donna,
>
> I sent the following message to CDBaby.  I have a friend here in Lansing who
> has his music on there, too.  I kept my message low-key and friendly.  I
> doubt it will help, but it's a try.
>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Fred
>
> 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
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Donna Hill
> Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 12:25 PM
> To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List; nfbp-talk
> Subject: [stylist] CD Baby removes accessibility for blind musicians and
> fans
>
> Hi Friends,
> Recently, posts have begun to appear on other NFB lists about the 
> inaccessibility of CDBaby's
> new site for those of us who rely upon text to speech
> software. We are no longer able to use the Preview functions (which 
> access audio clips from the CDs), making the
> Discover new Music option also inaccessible.  Some have also been unable
> to complete the purchase function.
>
> CD Baby was always accessible to us in the past, and many blind
> musicians & NFB members, such as Lisa Ostrow along with the musicians 
> featured on the "Sound in Sight" CD which supports programs of the NFB's 
> Performing Arts Division are CD Baby artists. One of my own CDs has been 
> there for years.
>
> As you all know, independent musicians struggle against many odds. The
> same is true with blind musicians, few of whom are ever signed by
> national labels.  Ask yourself, for instance, to name a nationally known
> female singer or musician who is blind. I'm sure you will find it to be
> a very short list -- not that there's a lot of blind guys in the
> national spotlight.
>
> As blind artists, we count on the sales we get from blind music
> lovers, who can no longer access our CD Baby pages. A letter to one
> blind fan from CD baby states that they removed the accessibility
> function when designing the new site. They expressed regret, but
> indicated that they have other priorities.
>
> I am researching an article for the American Chronicle, and would be 
> happy to include any concerns any of you are having with the site. If 
> you wish to participate in the article, please contact me off list at:
> dwhill at epix.net
>
> Also, please re post this. If there is any other way any of you can help 
> us or any other ideas, we would appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
> Donna Hill, Head of Media Relations
> Performing Arts Division, National Federation of the Blind
> Media Specialist, NFB of PA
> 570-833-2708
> dwhill at epix.net
> --
> Read my articles on American Chronicle:
> http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3885
> Follow me on Twitter:
> www.twitter.com/dewhill
> Join Me on LinkedIn:
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/dwh99
> Or,  FaceBook:
> http://www.facebook.com/donna.w.hill.
> Hear clips from "The Last Straw" at:
> http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill
> Apple I-Tunes 
> phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374 
> Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
>
> www.padnfb.org
>
>
>
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