marlaina lieberg ([info]1marlaina) wrote,
@ 2006-12-21 18:11:00
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The double standard of the voice goes on and on
With even more pride than I ever thought possible, I again say the Voice of the Nation's Blind does not speak for me! Here's the latest believe it or not from the National Federation of the Blind, who may I remind you, oppose the concept of video description, accessible pedestrian signals and accessible currency. After all, we don't need those as blind folks, but we, according to the Voice of the lack of reason and concern for the nation's blind, sure do need this:

Breakthrough Technology Provides TV Listings to the Blind
PR Newswire, via Yahoo
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
By National Federation of the Blind
Wednesday December 20, 3:04 pm ET
Free, On-Demand Service Available to Millions
BALTIMORE, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind
has partnered with Tribune Media Services to add television listings to
NFB-NEWSLINE®,
the nation's largest on-demand news service for the blind. Beginning
today, blind and visually impaired Americans will have independent access
to their
local TV listings, all in one place, only a telephone call away.
Eric Duffy, a Columbus, Ohio native and blind parent of two children,
said: "It is so important to find quality television programming for
young children.
Now I can choose appropriate TV shows for my children, just like any
other sighted parent."
Garrick Scott, of Atlanta, Georgia, hosts a weekly sports talk show.
"Watching sports is a huge part of my life, and this new capability makes
it infinitely
easier to find what I want to watch," Scott said.
By simply entering the zip code, source of TV reception, and time zone,
blind users will have quick and easy access to their local TV listings.
The listings
are interactive, as the user can navigate and choose between date, time,
and/or channel listings. After a user enters the local zip code, he or
she is
presented with a list of cable and satellite providers in the area. The
user can also indicate the use of a television antenna.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind said:
"The sheer volume of information that blind persons will now have access
to is
astonishing. Finally, blind television viewers can find out what's on any
channel, at any time, and within seconds."
Over 50,000 NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers already enjoy the free electronic
newspaper service which carries 242 newspapers and magazines to 41 states
and the
District of Columbia. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today,
and AARP The Magazine are among the many national and local newspapers
offered.
Subscribers have access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
through a local or toll-free telephone number.
NFB-NEWSLINE® uses the Zap2it television listings, a product of Tribune
Media Services and the leading source of entertainment listings in the
country.
Individuals who are unable to read print due to a physical disability are
eligible for this free service. To register or to request more
information, call
the National Federation of the Blind at (866) 504-7300, or visit them
online at
http://www.nfbnewsline.org/
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is
the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people
in the United
States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence
and self-confidence.
It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the
nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of
the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the
United States for the blind led by the blind.
Source: National Federation of the Blind
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061220/cgw052.html?.v=75



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Oh gurr!
[info]3kitties
2006-12-22 02:38 am UTC (link)
I think I'll write up a press release talking about how unnecessary this is. After all, I already get my TV listings online, and before that I just asked someone to look them up for me. This! is! ridiculous!!!!!!!

(Reply to this)


[info]kl1964
2006-12-22 02:43 am UTC (link)
To be fair, I've checked out the TV listings option on Newsline, and it is pretty slick. It's given me info about channels on my digital cable that I didn't even know were there. That being said, I do see the point you were trying to make.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]1marlaina
2006-12-22 03:42 am UTC (link)
Absolutely agree. The NFB offers a spectacular service with ints Newsline. I'm not sure about this, but I believe they get some federal dollars to run it. That's neither here nor there, since they do open it up to anyone who is eligible. However, as I know you understood from my post, my frustration is they'll sing the praises out of making sports listings accessible, but because it's not their hand involved in the accessible currency issue, the issue isn't a good one. I'd love to hear from some of their own members on both sides of this coin. And, i do think there are opinions on both sides, just as there were over accessible pedestrian signals, described video programs and the days when Mister Jernigan discouraged his blind flock from using guide dogs. I think the latter happened around 1995. I remember listening to a tape Mister Jernigan made and on that tape, he refuted that there is a bond between the dog and handler, warned that no matter how hard you try your dog will leave hair and its nails will scratch hard wood floors, so it's really probably not welcome in your friends house. Some voice, smile.

I love the NFB philosophy which, as I understand it, is learn all you can to be and do the best you can. The problem is the benchmark is not your own dignity and comfort level, it's whatever is determined to be appropriate by the mister who has the honorary title of doctor who's running the show. My philosophy is learn all you can, be the very best you can, push yourself as hard as you can and determine what independence means to you. For me, I hate crossing streets. I was struck by a car that ran a red light; all the training in the world wouldn't have prevented that. I was seriously hurt and my guide dog had to be put down. That was in 1972. I remain terrified of crossing streets, but I do it though I accept help in the form of a verbal cue whenever somebody wants to offer it. And yup, those dreaded accessible pedestrian signals put my mind at ease when they are available because I know the instant moment my light has changed. I take pride in the fact that I can and do ask for assistance with crossing a street. Others may ask for assistance with cutting meat. Still others may rely upon a sighted volunteer to hurridly get from one place to another at a convention. Who really cares! It's all in what works for the individual, not what is handed down in the edict of the month.

Marlaina

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Deleted post)
Re: newslines
[info]1marlaina
2006-12-26 07:51 pm UTC (link)
There is already a listing service that does this. Go to www.tv-now.com/tvhelp.htm and if that doesn't work, take the dash out of the tvnow.com it's fabulous, and it lists every dvs opportunity. With my beloved Window-Eyes mouse find, I can simply open a day, do a find for dvs and I'm there. Not sure why NFB is re-inventing the wheel. This site is very very easy to use, and I should think would be accessible with the various internet speech products that surf over the phone as well.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

a petition
[info]michael_m
2006-12-26 07:58 pm UTC (link)
I enjoy newslines. I just tested the tv listings, and noticed that it does list audiodescription if the program has it. It might be interesting to start a petition asking nfb to create navigation features using keys seven and nine that would move you forward in time in the current channel you are on to list only programs with audiodescription. Perhaps if enough of us sign, we can either get them to change it, or create letters to the editors of our local papers explaining how states are funding a source that isn'[t open to the needs of the blind.
just my $.02, which you should be able to access since the coins are tactily distinct..

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: a petition
[info]1marlaina
2006-12-26 09:41 pm UTC (link)
Honestly, I'd rather see a petition to the NFB encouraging them to either change their position or remain silent on the accessible currency issue. To my mind, that is an issue of greater importance, but that's just me.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: a petition
[info]____hejira
2007-07-16 02:59 am UTC (link)
Also, at nationals a few weeks ago, I found out that Dr. Mauer was asked to stop speaking publically about the currency issue since there was NEVER (in all caps for screen reader users,) a resolution deciding how the organization felt about it as a whole. Mauer shooting off his mouth speaking for the NFB was a complete falacy, and not what a lot of people in the organization believe. True, some people believe whatever he does because they're hopeless sheep, but that's another topic for another time.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: a petition
(Anonymous)
2007-03-08 12:31 am UTC (link)
Personally, I would like to see a petition in favor of reuniting the ACB and NFB. But I think these are all excellent points. I have used Newsline and TV Now, and I like both of them. However, I think Newsline could stand some improvements and I have in fact contacted the NFB about that. As far as philosophy goes, I think the NFB is probably right but there seem to be a lot of quirks in both their thinking and how they implement the Philosophy. I am about to join the ACB, because its members seem to be very open-minded.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]____hejira
2007-07-16 02:55 am UTC (link)
For the record, not all members of the NFB are absolutely intolerable and rediculous. Unfortunately, the "upper eschilon" of people is the same as it's always been for nearly twenty years, and there is a huge problem in the organization of Jernigan and Tembrook worship.

Please don't hate us all. A large number of us in the student division want to change things. It's not going to be easy, but I see an organization that does not see militance as the answer all of the time. I know it's frustrating and makes you want to beat your head against a wall, but there are those of us with common sense.

I know this is an old post, but I had to comment.

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