We hope all NLS subscribers will write a letter to Frank Curt Cylke asking for the immediate restoration of the Web-Braille service to Blind Americans. There may be a chance of getting this valuable resource back if we deem it important enough to speak out. May 12, 2006 Dear Mr. Kurt Cylke: I am a… Finish Reading My Letter to Frank Curt Cylke Asking for the Prompt Restoration of the Web-Braille Service

In recent months, E-Bay has been rolling out visual verification without accessible alternatives. Thus far, the scheme is used when communicating among buyers and sellers through the E-Bay web site. We have received reports from two blind E-Bay users stating that the company appears to be unwilling to provide an accessible alternative, instead making the… Finish Reading Visual Verification: E-Bay’s Inappropriate Response to the Concerns of its Blind Customers

Please read the article by Jeff Bishop below, then write a short note to NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke at the e-mail address fcyl@loc.gov emphasizing the importance of Web-Braille and asking him to promptly restore this service to the blind community. An online petition effort is being considered. Please let us know your thoughts. This… Finish Reading Web Braille Shut Down – Please Write Immediately

Shownotes I respond to recent reader feedback, telling it how it is with respect to the “no blind people allowed” signs in the process. Download and Listen

During the past six years, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has been providing thousands of the books and magazines from its collection in the form of immediately downloadable Grade II Braille files by way of its Web-Braille service. We are extremely disturbed and saddened to report that this service… Finish Reading NLS Takes Web-Braille Offline

Today’s latest update to the JAWS 7.1 Public Beta solves the problems with the Windows Logon screen and a number of other issues. It is highly recommended for those of you already testing JAWS 7.1. Keep those bug reports coming to Freedom Scientific.

Shownotes Listen as I take a short walk down to the nearest bus stop to see how the construction work is proceeding while testing the new Sound Professionals BMC-3 binaural microphones. Enjoy. Download and Listen

I have just received word that, due to increased spam, the visual verification has been reinstated on the CastBlaster Forums without an accessible alternative, thus effectively barring blind users from registering for access. Stay tuned for further developments on this unfortunate turn of events.

Article from Virginian Pilot, VA on 5/6/2006by JOHN HOPKINS, The Virginian-Pilot Submitted by BlindNews Mailing List [BlindNews: News About Blindness] I am concerned about the specific mention of blindness as a critical factor in this lawsuit. If the proper safety gear was not used, fine, there may be a good case. But blindness, in and… Finish Reading Skating event not proper for the blind, lawsuit says

Jeff Bishop reminds us that there is a work around for the Windows logon problem. When the logon screen appears, simply press Control+Alt+Delete twice to bring up the classic Windows NT / 2000 logon screen where the username and password may be typed.