Hi All,

Several have criticized me over this NFB shopping issue and said that I
should point out solutions.  I say that the federation should live up to
the very resolutions the organization passed on the topic.  Curtis Chong
said that it was unfortunate about the accessibility troubles with the new
shopping services but that the majority of people using the service would
be sighted so it was the way it had to be.  Well below is the text of
resolution 98-03 passed at last summer's NFB national convention.  Again
how can an organization ask the rest of the world to live up to one
standard and not follow such a standard itself?  Why would the NFB get
involved with something that flies in the face of this resolution?

Kelly


Resolution 98-03
WHEREAS, developments in information technology now being
used for communication by electronic means are changing the way
in which ideas and knowledge are spread throughout our society
and the world; and
WHEREAS, the new methods of information exchange resulting
from these developments are affecting participation in society in
a growing number of ways, including personal communications,
provision of educational services, conduct of business, and
interaction with entities of government for required filings, to
obtain information and services, or to take part in the political
process; and
WHEREAS, entities engaged in the design and use of
electronic information technology have a responsibility to assure
equal participation, especially when the technology or
information content is intended for general use; and
WHEREAS, the new forms of communication by electronic means
hold much promise for providing blind people with ready access
and equal participation, but—except in the most unusual of
cases—the design of both the technology and the content
presented presumes that everyone who uses the technology or
receives the information can see; and
WHEREAS, participation on equal terms requires equal access
to the channels of communication and sources of information
available: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in
convention assembled this tenth day of July, 1998, in the City of
Dallas, Texas, that this organization insist upon equal access to
electronic information technology as fundamental to the right of
equal participation throughout our society; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Federation seek the enforcement of existing 
laws and the enactment of new laws and standards for nonvisual access so that 
equal participation by means of equal (including nonvisual) access will be 
embraced as a fundamental right by all entities of government involved in the 
procurement, use, or regulation of electronic information technology.


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