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-manufacture=
rs-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
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