Hi,

I didn't expect to start a philosophical debate here, but I think my analogy between wheelchair ramps and accessible commercial software is worthy discussion. Many websites and applications, like the iTunes store are analogous to your brick and mortar HomeDepot or Borders Music and Books. And yes, adding a wheelchair ramp does cost money and is the price you pay for doing business. Now, as for finding an alternative product, in the business world, Office is the standard and there is no alternative. . Is it that unreasonable to expect Microsoft to spend a little money to make their product accessible? What about your online bank?


The misconception that the blind community constitutes enough of a market to sway industry to provide support based on our buying power is grossly naive. We are not worth it. I know, because I am guilty of it in my own development profession. the need for 508 compliance is the only thing that coaxes my company to provide accessible software.


Consider the fact that if the Mac market can't force the market to create cross platform versions of software, how can the blind community expect accessible software? Consider the cost of the LCD enlargers that sell for up to 10x more than an LCD camera that does almost the same thing. The higher cost is due to the fact that the blind community can't cover the cost of development.

Now, ironically, I agree that lawsuits are bad and way too prevalent in the US. But, I also think that proper legislation is the equivalent of a kick in the pants so companies will do the right thing. Too bad the mortgage industry didn't have a little common sense legislation lately.
So, that is my response to my friendly over polite Canadian.

I work hard, but I do need some government help and societal help sometimes too.


In about a minute, I fear I will be wishing I could unsend this.  lol

Best,
Scott,

.

Call me an over-polite canadian, but I think that beating people over the head with legislation is expensive, time consuming, and counter-productive. I look at it a bit like this. From what I've read, tost is a 60-80 dollar piece of software. If I send off a polite email for information and get the brush this other guy got, I'd take david's tack. Find something that works. Reply to the company and say, "thank you. Based on your disappointingly cold response, I looked further and found a program equivilant to yours and they are developing in the direction I need for my productivity. I'll be recomending users avoide yours and try theres."

It's really a let down that high profile companies like microsoft and roxeo aren't leading the way on the accessibility front, but fortunately for us, they don't have a monopoly.

Best,

Erik

On 30-Mar-08, at 11:58 AM, Scott Bresnahan wrote:

  Hi,

You know, has anyone considered the lack of VO support an issue of public accommodation under ADA? It is not as if the technology doesn't exist to support VO easily and cheaply in today's modern development environments. Granted, I can see a video or graphical paint application being beyond VO, but Word or Toast? I think not.

Wow, and talk about deep pockets... I'm surprise no one has thought about this agains Microsoft.

In the real world one builds ramps for wheelchairs. In the online world, they need to build VO support fo us!
  Sorry, those in the UK, you're Toast.  :)

  Thinking out loud....
  --Scott


after close thought. I may just give them the ultimate baptism of fire. For my work I am going to be relying on this software and I would rather get somethingthat works rather than something that takes space on my mac and wastes time.

so monday morning hopefully I will be launching my plot heheheheheheeehe mwahahahahahahahahaha ah that felt good

roxio used to be rather accessible as memory serves me under OS 9.2 but hmmm am I seeing a trend in software and companies telling us to "FLOCK OFF" lol

  lew


  On 30 Mar 2008, at 18:43, David Poehlman wrote:

Tell them thanks, we are going to and recommending their competition to mac
  users.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Lewis Brock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X by
  theblind" <[email protected]>
  Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 1:38 PM
  Subject: Re: response from Roxio Technical Support Toast 9 does not
  supportthe VoiceOver screen reader app.


  I had the very same problem with them  and they dont seem to give a
  thingybob. whats new there? nothing.

  well I think a strong email shound be constructed concerning this
  product. after all  we should have access to it with voiceover so come
  one where's the  problem? roxio....... come here boy. come on.........
  there's a good cd burner lol

  lew



  On 30 Mar 2008, at 18:35, James Austin wrote:

  Well if there ever was a daft response Roxio have it.

  Let us know if you need further assistance... well... um... Voice
  Over doesn't work with your application so I'd like some assistance
  lol.

  Sounds like they are not very much interested.

  Best

  James
  E- Mail - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  MSN - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Skype - saulky1984
  On 30 Mar 2008, at 18:20, Chuck Reichel wrote:
  Hi Listers,
  Here is response about toast 9 from there tech staff.
  I currently use 8.03 only because I've been using Toast since the
  last century.
  LOL I don't think they even looked at VoiceOver!!  8.03 is more
  stable than 6.5 so I thought I would try toast 9 thinking they have
  improved it but I don't think so! May be it is time to "hammer
  them" a bit! LOL
  PS Their Lightscrib label app not very cool either.
  Toast response below;


  A Roxio Agent has responded to your ticket! (# 540159)

  Thank you for contacting Roxio Technical Support


  Toast 9 does not support the VoiceOver screen reader app.


  Thanks for contacting Roxio Customer Care. Let us know if you need
  further assistance on this issue by clicking the Update button.

  Regards,

  Roxio Technical Support
  <http://www.roxio.com/enu/support>http://www.roxio.com/enu/support

  Have you tried our online self-service tools?  For instant support,
  please try one of the tools below:

  Roxanne -

<http://roxio.com/en/support/nh/index.jhtml>http://roxio.com/en/support/nh/index.jhtml
  Discussion Groups -
  <http://forums.support.roxio.com/>http://forums.support.roxio.com
  Knowledgebase - <http://search.roxio.com/>http://search.roxio.com

  We are always looking for ways to improve so please click on the
  link below to complete our online support survey.

  <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?

sm=gogk1iuGIIxICD_2fyt0p0pg_3d_3d>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gogk1iuGIIxICD_2fyt0p0pg_3d_3d

  Thank you for your comments and we appreciate the feedback
  dpd



  What's Next?

  1. Log into <https://selfserve.roxio.com/>https://selfserve.roxio.com
  2. Click on View Your Help Ticket History.
  3. Click on your ticket number to view the response and update.

  Regards,

  Roxio Customer Care

  =================

  Give us feedback on your Roxio Customer Care experience!
  <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gogk1iuGIIxICD_2fyt0p0pg_3d_3d
  Click here to take survey.

  Other Support Resources: <http://forums.support.roxio.com/
  Discussion Groups, <http://search.roxio.com/>Knowledgebase,
  <http://roxio.creativevirtual.com/roxio/bot.htm
  RoxAnn

  **This e-mail is an automatic response and cannot be responded to.**

  Chuck Reichel
  954-742-0019

<http://www.soundpicturerecording.com/high/index.htm>http://www.soundpicturerecording.com/high/index.htm



  Lewis Brock
  Totally Blind musician and composer of 21st century music

  PHONE: +44 07857 352828
  E-MAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  SKYPE: lewisjbrock






  Lewis Brock
  Totally Blind musician and composer of 21st century music

  PHONE: +44 07857 352828
  E-MAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  SKYPE: lewisjbrock

  ----Scott


--
--Scott

--
--Scott

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