[nabs] Adoption of Google Apps Program DiscriminatesAgainsttheBlind

Thu Mar 17 04:11:19 GMT 2011

Different organizsations have different policy platforms and approaches.
Petitioning will not stop nfb.
Schools should not use inaccessible software.  They shouldn't use these 
google aps if they're not accessible.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Terrell Jones
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 9:08 AM
To: Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.
Subject: Re: [nabs] Adoption of Google Apps Program 
DiscriminatesAgainsttheBlind

That's great. I think a petition needs to be created to stop the NFB from 
doing this. I've never liked that organization, and I
never will.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christine Szostak" <szostak.1 at osu.edu>
To: "Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students." 
<nabs at acb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs] Adoption of Google Apps Program Discriminates 
AgainsttheBlind

I agree with the thoughts expressed below. Our lab uses Google calendar and
I have had absolutely no problems at all with it. We use color-indicating
calendars and many other features it offers and I have no difficulty  with
the features we use. It works just fine and I can navigate it with similar
ease to my sighted lab mates. In fact, I have taught several of our sighted
lab members how to use it:).
Many thanks,
Christine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Miranda" <knownoflove at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion list for NABS, National Alliance of Blind Students."
<nabs at acb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs] Adoption of Google Apps Program Discriminates Against
theBlind

Hi,
I do not agree with this either. I'm using a Gmail account to type this
email. Granted, I use my Gmail on my Pocket PC through Outlook. However, all
(if not most) of these apps the NFB is claiming to be "inaccessible" are
available via any computer or Mobile device through a stripped down Mobile
website!
Thanks for posting this and allowing us to give our opinions.

In Christ, Miranda

-----Original Message-----
From: Terrell Jones <kf4yni at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:34 AM
To: acb-l at acb.org; nabs at acb.org; bct at lists.blind-planet.com
Subject: [nabs] Adoption of Google Apps Program Discriminates Against the
Blind

I personally disagree with what the NFB is doing here. I'd be curious what
the responses are from this article. See below.

Adoption of Google Apps Program Discriminates Against the Blind
3/15/2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

Adoption of Google Apps Program Discriminates Against the Blind
National Federation of the Blind Asks
Department of Justice to Investigate Schools Across the Country
Baltimore, Maryland (March 15, 2011): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB), the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the
United States, today requested that the United States Department of Justice,
Civil Rights Division, investigate civil rights violations committed by New
York University (NYU) and Northwestern University against blind faculty and
students.  The NFB made the request because the schools have adopted
technology that is not accessible to the blind.  Both universities have
recently adopted Google Apps for Education as a means of providing e-mail
and collaboration tools to students and faculty.  Google Apps for Education
is a free suite of hosted communication and collaboration applications that
includes Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs, and Google Sites.
Each of these applications contains significant accessibility barriers for
blind people utilizing screen access technology, which converts what is on
the computer screen into synthesized speech or Braille.  A similar request
for investigation has been filed against four Oregon public school districts
that are using Google Apps.  The complaints allege violations of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
For further illustration of this matter, please view a demonstration of
screen access technology used by the blind and the accessibility barriers
that a blind person experiences using Google Apps.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"Given the many accessible options available, there is no good reason that
these universities should choose a suite of applications, including critical
e-mail services, that is inaccessible to blind students.  Worse yet,
according to recent data more than half of the American higher education
institutions that are outsourcing e-mail to third-party vendors plan to
deploy this suite, even though they know that it cannot be used by blind
students.  Nor can these universities claim ignorance of their legal
obligations, since the United States Department of Justice and the United
States Department of Education have specifically warned all university
presidents against the adoption of inaccessible technology.  The National
Federation of the Blind will not tolerate this unconscionable discrimination
against blind students and faculty and callous indifference to the right of
blind students to receive an equal education.  We urge these higher
education institutions to suspend their adoption of Google Apps for
Education until it is accessible to all students and faculty, not just the
sighted, or to reject Google Apps entirely."

The National Federation of the Blind is represented in this matter by Daniel
F. Goldstein of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein, and Levy.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

©2011 All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2011 NFB
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