While researching e-Accessibility topic, I got some information from Ed Meskys, President of the US National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, and I asked if I could quote what I got from him. He very kindly encouraged me, and shared copy of a recent issue of their newsletter, which he publishes in a form that is easy for the Blind. I cut and pasted it to Blind of NH so as not to eat a huge chunk of space on my Home Page with something that is not in a sighted-friendly format. I find this to be utterly fascinating, and I hope Y"all also. Here is the url link in case my shortcut fails http://radio.weblogs.com/0107846/stories/2002/08/10/blindOfNh.html (I have been having intermittent nuisances with stuff not seeming to work correctly).
It is a picture of what the current reality is for the Blind and visually-impaired in America. We sighted have done a lot to help those with various disabilities be a part of our civilization, but a lot more needs to be done. Blind persons have been denied rental housing, admission to theaters and amusement parks, public transportation, restaurants, retail stores, adult education classes in local school systems and colleges, even special education, access to government records such as tax bills (I should think that if the government cannot send tax bills in a form that are readable by a disabled person, then that person should not have to pay that bill), divorce papers or high school graduation (proof of) in a form readable by the blind. Those allowed in have been blocked from full participation by artificial barriers and personnel who apparently could care less about the needs of the disabled. For details, check out Blind of NH. If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, there is a wealth of contacts and resources here.
There is a relevant discussion list at
- Send an e-mail to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
- The only thing in the message area should be: Subscribe NHBlind-talk
Fleet has banking services for the Blind ... check out www.fleet.com ... one wonders how many Banks in the world are structured so that Disabled people cannot do business with them. Sighted people might want to open an account with Fleet, to support this worthy effort.
6:03:53 PM 
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