[stylist] social networking and youth slam

[Joe Orozco]

Peter,

This is my issue with web accessibility.  I don't know that everyone will
ever be able to agree on what it means to be accessible, because there are
varying levels of computer skills and screen reader features.  So far I must
say you are the only person I've seen complain about the accessibility of
the Pepsi Challenge project, which does not mean your complaint is
irrelevant.  It means there must surely be others who are experiencing
similar problems, but I have not yet heard a valid reason for why the
CAPTCHA feature is posing such a problem.  There are two services that help
blind users translate the CAPTCHA codes.  Even deaf and blind users can have
the text transmitted without bothering with the audio.  My point here is not
to turn your concerns away.  They are valid, but technology is changing.  To
me it sounds as though you are reluctant to change with it, and in the
meantime should we turn away from a free means of earning $250,000 just
because we want to prove a point?  If we don't take advantage of this
project while it lasts, someone else will, and would you actually argue that
those other projects are more important than the future potential of our
math and science enthusiasts?  These are, after all, the people on whom we
are relying to build that there car for blind folk.  For every minute you
spent writing your flurry of posts objecting the Pepsi project, you could
have been spending the time communicating with Pepsi.  You're the web
development guy who could have expertly conveyed to them what is needed.
I'm having difficulty feeling empathetic with you on this one.

Respectfully,

Joe

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 3:12 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] social networking and youth slam

Hello everyone,

    This also does not mean that we can't just raise the money 
ourselves 
never mind mucking with inaccessible Web resources. If we can 
develop the 
technology to enable a blind person to drive a car 
independently we should 
have the know-how to develop our own social networking services 
to serve as 
a model and to demonstrate how such a service can be made 
accessible to all. 
We don't need Pepsi's money all that badly if our position on Web 
accessibility will be compromised in the process.

Peter Donahue


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 1:52 PM
Subject: [stylist] social networking and youth slam


Peter and others,

I understand the frustration of websites that are set up without
accessibility in mind, and we must continue to push for accessibility
just as the Federation is doing with the Technology Bill of Rights.

If the NFB were doing this solely on their own, I could better
understand the concern for utilizing more accessible means of voting,
however, we are going through an established group and must follow
whatever rules and guidelines that are set.  This does not mean we can
not put a bug in their ear and begin a dialogue over website
accessibility, but nonetheless, it also not fair to exclude ourselves
from potential fundraising because of potential accessibility issues.
It has always been the Federation's stance to charge things head on.
There are multiple ways in which to vote, and many have done so,
bringing us up from 69 to 19.  Plus I know many, many people who are
blind and use websites such as Facebook, and of course now that phones
can be accessible, they are also texting along with the rest of the
world.  That in and of itself may have global ramifications, but that is
a whole other discussion!  *smile*

As for the dollar amount not being worth any possible complications, I
must disagree.  Youth Slam was created to instruct society along with
the blind of just what we are capable of.  Every year kids have an
amazing opportunity to be exposed to ideas and people that are setting a
new standard for us blind.  Without Youth Slam, many kids would never
have this exposure.  It is one thing to tell people that blind people
can do things, it is a whole other thing to show them, and allow them to
experience it.  I know many young adults whose lives have been changed
after attending Youth Slam.

So I believe it is worth the trouble to raise funds in whatever manner
possible to continue to support programs like Youth Slam.  Money raised,
no matter how, is going to change the lives of blind people and society
in the process.  The more blind people we can produce with confidence
and capability, the better chance we have to change perceptions.

Bridgit
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