Steve,

I can appreciate that, but not even having the opportunity to have the conversation is what grinds me even more. This gent Mark that answered the phone seriously had this attitude that I was bothering him with my request. Also the default answer is HandiHam and NLS. The correct answer could have been "gee I do not know, but let me have you talk with (fill in the blank)" or how about you send an e-mail to (fill in the blank)."
I have worked with a number of developers who had not considered accessibility and once the issue was brought to their attention they were very receptive and willing to do their best. These are individual developers or small companies that made the conscious decision to address the issue. Hey I would even gladly pay the same membership fee for equal access if that would help. I realize we all will have differences of opinion on this issue and my object was to just raise awareness of this new opportunity and the reaction I got from the ARRL.

On Mar 20, 2012, at 11:43 AM, Steve Dresser wrote:

> Scott,
> 
> I think it's more a question of not knowing what accessibility means for a 
> screen reader user.  Most sighted people don't even understand how a blind 
> person can use a computer, and if they do, they seldom understand what a 
> screen reader does.  I can't count the number of times I've been asked how 
> my speech recognition software works, and how surprised my listeners are 
> when I point out that typing isn't the issue, but reading the screen is.  As 
> frustrating as it is for us, explaining our access needs is a huge task.
> 
> Steve
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Scott Howell" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:00
> Subject: Fwd: Get Ready: Digital QST is Coming Soon
> 
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> I got the following from the ARRL and I took the time to call and spoke =
>> to a gent named Mark. Mark was of course not very helpful and I'm not so =
>> sure I liked his attitude either as it seemed I was asking him to do =
>> some work. I digress, but I asked about the possibility of the iOS app =
>> being made accessible and Mark informed me that it was not in the plans =
>> and probably would not be for years. WHat a bucket of BS. I was told =
>> (after pressuring Mark) that I could contact [log in to unmask] with =
>> questions.
>> I think this bothers me enough that I would seriously consider whether =
>> or not I would renew my membership when that time arrives. I'm sure some =
>> will disagree, but there is no reason why the ARRL should assume that I =
>> want to get QST from NLS for one thing. I think what bugs me most is the =
>> lack of interest and attitude.
>> So, I'm ranting a little, but if you have any interest I encourage you =
>> to contact the ARRL via the e-mail address of whoever this =
>> [log in to unmask] person is.
>> 
>> 73
>> 
>> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>>> From: "ARRL" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: Get Ready: Digital QST is Coming Soon
>>> Date: March 20, 2012 10:30:48 AM EDT
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> =20
>>> Coming Soon: NEW ARRL Membership Benefits
>>> =20
>>> Dear William Howell, N3BYY
>>> =20
>>> We are excited to announce two new ARRL membership benefits that will =
>> be introduced in June 2012.
>>> In addition to the print copy of QST, all members will have access to =
>> an online, digital edition of QST at no extra cost. You will be able to =
>> access QST from anywhere--on nearly any computer, laptop, mobile device, =
>> smartphone and tablet (including Apple iPad, iPhone, and devices using =
>> the Android operating system).
>>> =20
>>> Also in June, members will gain access to archived issues of QST from =
>> December 1915 to the present (previously, only issues through 2007 were =
>> available to members). If you are familiar with the current periodicals =
>> archive (which serves images of pages), that platform will be expanded =
>> to include all of QST from December 1915 through December 2011. A =
>> second, new archive will be introduced for issues beginning January =
>> 2012, featuring enhanced functionality including full-text search.
>>> =20
>>> Be Prepared!
>>> Members must have a valid ARRL website login to access the current =
>> digital edition of QST and archived editions. For a smooth launch of =
>> these exciting new benefits, and so that you will be able to quickly =
>> access the digital version of QST as soon it becomes available, we are =
>> e-mailing you some information that will help you login to the ARRL =
>> website prior to launch.
>>> =20
>>> Login Instructions
>>> Please follow these personalized, step-by-step directions below to =
>> login to the ARRL website:
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> Go to www.arrl.org
>>> At the top, center of the page in "Site Login", enter your Username: =
>> n3byy and the password you selected during registration.
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> Forgot Password?
>>> If you have forgotten your password, here are some steps to help you =
>> obtain a temporary password which you can use to Login. We recommend =
>> writing this temporary password down prior to logging in, then Login =
>> using your username and the temporary password.
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> Select "Forgot Password" on the Login page
>>> =20
>>> - To reset your password by e-mail:
>>> =20
>>> Select "By Email" from the dropdown menu
>>> Enter your Username: n3byy and e-mail address. You must use the email =
>> address that you used to originally register for a website login =
>> account.
>>> Click "Submit"
>>> - To reset your password by member credentials:
>>> =20
>>> Select "By Member Credentials" from the drop down menu
>>> Enter your Username: n3byy
>>> Enter your Member ID: 0001636334
>>> Enter your Call Sign OR Last name
>>> Click "Submit"
>>> Once you are logged in, select "Edit your Profile" to change your =
>> password to something you can more easily remember.
>>> =20
>>> Questions?
>>> Contact Member Services by email [log in to unmask] or by telephone =
>> 860-594-0200 or 888-277-5289 (US only).
>>> =20
>>> About this Email
>>> You are subscribed to receive monthly notification of the digital =
>> edition of QST. If you have an ARRL website user account, you can manage =
>> all of your e-mail preferences at www.arrl.org/myarrl. If you would =
>> prefer to stop receiving all email from ARRL to [log in to unmask], =
>> then please click here.
>>> =20
>>> ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio
>>> 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
>>> www.arrl.org
>>> =20
>>