Re: Digital UK Report

The real stupidity of this is that the actual hardware is inaccessible in
that most receivers and boxes require use of on screen menus, and the
program guide is in fact totally inaccessible. We all rely on web based
program info.

Of course, most blind people of a certain age do not have a computer either
so are stuffed if they live alone.

I suppose since nobody here has in fact answered the question about the
file, I'll have to go and get it.
Its very interesting to note though that pdf format is not a format of which
a reader exists in the windows instalation, such as xp which is what many
use. \It has to be downloaded in order to get it to view content. So in my
view, the sole file type of pdf on a web site is really stretching the
rules on access.

We do, however live in a box ticking society these days, with little actual
thought put into the implications of decisions, just complying with the
law.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: briang1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


"Peter Duncanson" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:sutf859ee7bjivtnsp0de64hujj4u0kdq3@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:23:34 +0100, Jim Lesurf <noise@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

In article <xyQhm.68306$OO7.62428@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Brian Gaff
<briang1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Before I go and waste my time downloading this pdf, is it protected? If
it is like a number I've downloaded of late, then blind folk cannot
read it except by printing it out, and scanning it back in again.

I fell foul of this on a UK frequency allocation table recently, amongst
other things. I fully realise people want to prevent copyright
infringment, but few seem to realise the implications for the blind,
who also want to be informed.

Does not UK Law now require public material to be 'accessible' by the
'disabled'?

Yes.

From the RNIB Web Access Centre:
http://tinyurl.com/2spj5r

UK Law

It has been a legal requirement for UK websites to be accessible
since 1999. Since then all websites have been expected to make
"reasonable adjustments" to ensure their websites accommodate all
users regardless of ability, disability.

Also:
http://tinyurl.com/6y86y

How does the Disability Discrimination Act apply to websites in
service provision?

Websites will most commonly be covered when they constitute the
provision of a service, or they are related to education. The Code
of Practice Rights of Access: services to the public, public
authority functions, private clubs and premises, includes the
example of accessible websites as an example of auxiliary aids and
services required under the Act (see below).

Service providers are required to provide auxiliary aids and
services where this would enable or make it easier to use a service.
As described above this includes accessible websites. Service
providers are required to change practices, policies and procedures
which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access a
service. This may impact upon procedures that a service provider
expects customers to follow on its website which are not accessible,
for example security procedures. Examples of inaccessible websites
which may contravene the Act in the area of service provision
include:

* It may be unlawful for a website to have links on that are not
accessible to a screen reader
etc.

Digital UK is undoubtedly a public service.

And would that not mean you can tell them they *have* to make
the material available in a format you can access?

I believe so in this case.

I don't think that in the case of digital television they could get away
with saying that blind people don't watch TV. Apart from the facts that
DTT includes radio channels and that a blind person might wish to listen
to TV programmes, there is also the point that where digital TV is being
discussed in a family or among a group of friends it might be the blind
person who has the ability to understand the technicalities and the
sighted who are baffled.


--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Digital UK Report
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  • Re: RASFF is dead!
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