2009? why so long? Why not 2007?
Who cares who is sponsoring this legislation!!
Claude Everett
American by chance, Californian by choice
everyone has a disability, it's just that some, are more aware of it than
others.
"Civilization is built on a number of ultimate principles...respect for
human life, the punishment of crimes against property and persons, the
equality of all good citizens before the law...or, in a word justice."
Max Nordau
(1849 - 1923)
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of PETER ALTSCHUL
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 6:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VICUG-L] Fw: [leadership] Article FYI - "Nation Privacy Protection
Measure for the Visually Impaired Passes Assembly" (fwd)
>
> Nation Privacy Protection Measure for the Visually Impaired Passes
> Assembly
>
> Sacramento - Assembly Bill 768, by Assemblymember Joe Nation,
> (D-Marin/Sonoma), which would enable the visually impaired to utilize
> all touch-screen devices, today passed the state Assembly on a 41-32
> vote.
>
> "The blind and visually impaired should be afforded every right to
> access the convenience, and often necessary, technology of
> touch-screens. Many retail services rely on the availability of
> touch-screens to replace human contact in remote locations or during
> off-hours," said Nation. "With our growing senior population, the
> number of those experiencing vision loss indicates more people will be
> unable to utilize touch-screens. This is unconscionable and we need
> to correct this oversight before more inaccessible machines are
> developed and placed in our communities."
>
> Non-audible touch-screen devices, particularly in retail and financial
> outlets, transportation facilities, and entertainment venues, present
> significant challenges to the blind and visually impaired. Without
> the ability to feel the buttons or hear the prompts, blind individuals
> cannot utilize touch-screen devices without relying on the assistance
> of others - if others are available. This places the visually
> impaired in potentially vulnerable situations where their safety may be
compromised.
>
> "It is only fair that the blind and visually impaired are able to use
> these machines with as much privacy, safety and ease as everyone else,"
> said Nation. "This bill will help address those issues and ensures
> equal access for all individuals."
>
> Specifically, this bill compels manufacturers to develop devices that
> are accessible to the blind and ensure they are available by 2009.
> Only when this deadline is met by at least two separate manufacturers,
> hotels and airlines would be given a full year to install at least one
> device at specific locations.
>
> Just a note: AB 768 is sponsored by the National Federation of the
> Blind of California.
>
>
>
>
> --
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VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
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