[Travelandtourism] FW: Issues with one of our members who are using Sabre Red

Wed Feb 22 20:40:35 UTC 2012

Here is the latest response from Matos Luciana from Sabre system.
Question, and I don't mean to sound stupid here, do we have to give significant paperwork to any organization proving we are blind to continue to use there products.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Echevarria, PresidentTravel and Tourism DivisionNational Federation of the Blind.
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

For daily updates read our blog at
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com

From: Luciana.Matos at sabre.com
To: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:27:45 -0600
Subject: Issues with one of our members who are using Sabre Red 

Hi Cheryl,

This issue was brought to my attention today; it alarmed me
since it sounds as a complaint towards the Sabre integrity, which makes me sad
to hear.

Sabre by any circumstances requires blind agents to complete
a form or send a letter, the fact that a Sabre agent had told this agent that
we never heard about a blind agents may have sound too rude, and I would like
to apologize for that.

Even though Sabre will accept a blind agent, of course,
Sabre is  not designed to be used by blind people, and according to my  research there are no plans of Sabre on developing such tool
that would allow blind persons to use Sabre. 

If MySabre was used by this blind
agent without any problem this is not because MySabre hsd been developed for
blind people; 

My Sabre platform has migrated to
Sabre Red, and even though we still allow some agents to remain on this old
platform as an exception, by the end of 2012 all agent should migrate to Sabre
Red, since the old platform will sunset. In order to allow an exception we
require a letter from the agency with the purposes of the request, this is to any
agent that will request this exception.

It is bad news to hear that this
agent cannot perform his daily work in Sabre Red. If you can please expedite
more information on why he cannot use it, I will be happy to share them with
the programmers in charge, to see if there are plans to modify this or if there
might be a work around for this agent to use the system; I definitely need more
reasons on why he cannot use it towards using MySabre.

While researching I found a Cooperation
Agreement between Travelocity and the Blind Federations; this may mean that
Travelocity is developing something specific for the blind. I would suggest the
customer get in touch with Travelocity to find out more

Contact information:

Toll free number - 888-709-5983 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            888-709-5983      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.travelocity.com

Generic email - travelocityhelp at travelocity.com

Our customer care department has
fully migrated to MVD, Uruguay.

Please let me know if this
information is enough for you, or you would prefer me to call you;

Best regards,

Luciana Matos

Quality Support

Global Services
& Operations Solutions

Sabre Holdings

Issue.resolution at sabre.com

luciana.matos at sabre.com

Dear Lu:

I hope this email
finds you well.

Please see below the
email received today regarding to the MySabre system blind users.

PCC ZO1C, All details
are explained in SI# 1-KTW656, 

We did not speak with
the agent, we spoke with the Agency owner , and just for procedure the
Technical Help Desk requested  a letter from the Travel Agency to
activate MySabre on agent ID 1212

Your kindly advice
will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Katherine

----------
Original Message -------------------

From: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

Sent: 22-Feb-2012 01:19:46 PM

To: customer.care at sabre.com

Cc: 

Subject: Issues with one of our members who are using Sabre Red 

February 22, 2012

Sabre Holdings Corporation

3150 Sabre Drive

Southlake, Texas 76092 

To whom
it may concern:

My
name is Cheryl Echevarria, owner of Echevarria Travel.

I
am also the President of the Travel and Tourism Division of the National
Federation of the Blind.   The National Federation of the Blind is
the largest organization of the blind in the United States, Founded in 1941,
the Federation has grown to include over 50,000 members.
 We Have our National Headquarters in Baltimore, MD, and have a state
affiliate in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

I had a Travel Professional for over 25 years contact me today
about the new Sabre Red System, because the updated system is mouse driven and
is not accessible with Screen Readers such as Window Eyes or Jaws.

Mr. Qutaishat, who is blind and has been in the travel
industry for over 25 years, has never had a problem with your product until
now.  He had mentioned to me that when he contacted his Sabre Customer
Service Support Team, he was told that they never heard of a Blind Travel Agent
before, and that you will allow him to continue to use the old system for 6
months, after that he needs a letter from the National Federation of the Blind
stating the reason why he needs to continue using your product.

Mr. Qutaishat, does not need a letter from the
National Federation of the Blind stating this, you also do not need proof that
the man is blind to use your product.  He stated that he is blind, and
cannot use the new system any longer.  Sabre is one of the most commonly
used products in the travel field and should be accessible to all that want to
use it.  Sabre stating that you have never heard of blind travel
professionals is not an excuse on your part or appropriate response.

I have used the Sabre product myself in the
past, when I worked with a few host agencies, but since I am a sole proprietor of my own agency, I have yet to decide whether or
not a system such as Sabre or Amadeus.  

The problem is that you system isn't
accessible, and I would like to be put in touch with the US Representative of
your company, since when I was on the phone with you customer service people,
they stated that they are not in the US.  

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Echevarria, President

Travel and Tourism Division

National Federation of the Blind 

10 Aljan Drive

Brentwood, NY 11717

631-236-5138 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            631-236-5138      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            631-236-5138 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            631-236-5138      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

President at nfb-travel.org

Leading
the Way in Independent Travel! Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com 631-456-5394 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            631-456-5394      end_of_the_skype_highlighting reservations at echevarriatravel.com
For daily updates read our blog at http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com