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Giving the Blind Better Web Access

Posted by samzenpus on from the web-for-all dept.

crimeandpunishment writes "Decades ago, the breakthrough for the disabled was making buildings wheelchair accessible. Today, it's making their world Web-accessible. Disabled groups are hailing new legislation Congress has sent to the President. Among other things, the measure will give the blind greater Internet access through smart phones, and require devices like iPhones and Blackberrys to be hearing-aid compatible. 'It breaks down barriers for all of us,' says Mark Richert of the American Foundation for the Blind."

2 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Re:New blacktop for the road to hell by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hear, hear! You say it very well my friend and who pays for all of this? Will we all be stuck with text only websites, which is what Section 508 virtually sets up as the ideal. Killing Smart Phone innovation while developers literally spend all their time trying to comply with regulations.

    These problems are best solved by enabling technology vendors making their technologies easier to use and more powerful. I'd have less problem with the suggestion that vendors would with enabling technology vendors to help improve APIs for accessibility software, etc.

  2. Contact Harrison Bergeron by Cornwallis · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm sure he will salute the new Handicapper General.