Hello All:

First of all, let me say up front that while I am President of an ACB
state affiliate and a director on ACB's National Board, the opinions
expressed herein are my own personal ones.

The fact is, NFB got Target to agree to do something about their
website, no one else did.  We can argue all day about the tactics used,
the fact that $6 million goes to the class or whatever.  No one can
argue that what should come from this is better access for individuals
who are blind or visually impaired to the target.com website.

I would have liked to see more generic terminology used instead of
referring just to JAWS or any one product exclusively.  The fact of the
matter is, however, that any improvements for the most part that improve
access for JAWS users will also help users of other screen readers such
as Window-Eyes and System Access.  I do not know how they will improve
access for users of screen magnification software or even if they will.

And finally, while I'd like to see a more neutral body certifying
target's website, the fact is said certification will be done by people
who are blind who know what it means for a site to be accessible.
That's pretty darn good.

I agree with David.  Let's not throw rocks at NFB here.  They've
accomplished improving accessibility to a major commercial internet site
and spent a lot of legal capital to do so.  I think together, with high
profile litigation like this and other approaches such as seeking
inclusion of language into the ADA Amendments Act to cover commercial
websites, we will achieve greater accessibility for people who are blind
on the internet which is what all of us had better want.

Ray Campbell, Help Desk Technician
Adaptive Technology Center
Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL  60608
312-997-3651 (Voice/Relay) or
888-825-0080 (voice/Relay)
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AIM Screen Name: tclhelp 


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