Hi Tom, sorry, don't know what else to do. I've sent it to folks
off this list and they have been able to sign it fine. 73, Jim
WA6EKS
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Behler <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 11:08:48 -0400
Subject: Re: resending the home appliances petition
Jim:
I'm sorry, but I still can't get the petition link to work.
It looks incomplete to me.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Gammon
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 11:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: resending the home appliances petition
From: Gene Fleeman [
mailto:[log in to unmask]
]
Hi everyone,
I've started the petition "Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers:
Incorporate
voice technology, audio queues, and/or tactile buttons into your
flat =
panel appliances to make them accessible to the blind and those
with low
vision." Thanks = to
500 supporters,
the petition is off to a good start. But to really make a
statement to = the
Appliance Manufacturers of how important this issue is to those
with sight =
impairment, I need your support to make the number of signatures
to grow
exponentially! = Lets join together to make our voices heard.
Thank you,
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/association-of-home-appliance-man
ufacture=
rs-incorporate-voice-technology-audio-queues-and-or-tactile-butto
ns-into-=
your-flat-panel-appliances-to-make-them-accessible-to-the-blind-a
nd-those=
-with-low-vision
Here's why it's important:
I started this petition on Change.org, because of the perceived
lack of
demand, appliance manufacturers have been reluctant to build
inexpensive
voice/touch technology into their products, thereby making them
inaccessible
to the blind. There = are approximately seven million blind or
low-vision
people living in the United States = today, and that number is
growing every
day, due to causes ranging from birth defects, diabetes, to
combat injuries,
etc. We clean, do laundry, iron, sew, and travel independently.
We are foodservice managers, attorneys, scientists and more. And
yet, =
when it comes to operating our touch panel home appliances we are
practically = helpless.
Why?,
because appliance manufacturers refuse to incorporate inexpensive
=
technology that already exists=C3=82=C2=ADsuch as those used in
smartphones
and iPads = that make their flat panel appliances accessible to
the blind.
By including audio cues, speech output, or tactile buttons, =
manufacturers
will reduce the likelihood that a blind or sighted person will
inadvertently
touch a spot on a panel and turn on a burner without knowing it,
potentially
causing a = fire or serious personal injury. Without accessible
technology
being offered to = consumers, people who were once able to cook
and clean
independently could well find themselves unable to live alone in
their own
homes.
But it doesn=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2t have to be this way! If =
manufacturers incorporate inexpensive audio and/or tactile
technology into
their products, they will make a huge difference in the safety of
the blind
and others as well as the ability of the blind = to continue to
lead their
lives independently, while simultaneously gaining = thousands, if
not
millions, of newly satisfied customers. This is good for blind
people = who
will remain independent; good for manufacturers who will sell
products that
the = blind can use and that are safer for all who buy them; and
good for
society, which = will not be asked to help normally competent
human beings
live in assisted living or nursing facilities simply because new
appliances
do not have displays they can = read.
By signing our petition, you will be showing your support and
telling = the
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers to work in
collaboration with
the = National Federation of the Blind to get their manufacturer
members to
incorporate these immeasurable improvements in the quality of
life,
convenience, and safety of the = blind and those who are losing
their
vision.
Again thank you for your support,
Gene Fleeman
Member,
National Federation of the Blind
|