Wireless RERC - National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

NFB Calls for Accessible Voting: Online Ballot Marking

mz22 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:20:26 +0000

National Federation of the Blind Endorses Online Ballot Marking

August 2014 – In preparation of the 2014 Congressional Elections, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is compelling states to make online ballot-marking systems accessible to voters with disabilities. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires all states allow certain U.S. citizens to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The resolution requests that states allow the same convenience to disabled individuals that are provided to individuals serving in the military, federal government employees, citizens abroad, and those who qualify for the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

The push for electronic ballot delivery options references eLect®, an internet voting solution that allows voters to use screen readers, print reading and voice recognition software when casting their ballot. According to the press release, “Online ballot-marking is accessible absentee voting, it provides voters with disabilities the option to mark their ballots on their smartphone, tablets and computers using the same assistive devices and tools that they use to navigate the web throughout their daily lives.” With the 2014 Congressional election around the corner – November 4, 2014 – the NFB is encouraging states to make voter participation more inclusive for disabled individuals. For more information, please visit the link below.

NFB Calls for ADA Internet Regulations

mz22 — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:31:07 +0000

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

National Federation of the Blind Urges Obama Administration to Issue ADA Internet Regulations

July 2014 – The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) concluded their 2014 National Convention with a unanimous vote urging the Obama administration to issue Internet regulations in compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. More than twenty-five hundred members of the NFB adopted the resolution, noting the need for accessible website design and content that allows access to the Internet through computerized speech software or Braille conversion. President of the NFB, Dr. Marc Maurer, stated “Since public accommodations, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), increasingly conduct business with the public over the internet, it is imperative that their websites be accessible to the blind…Technology holds the promise that blind people will be able to live the lives we want to a degree never before possible, but only if internet technology is properly designed …That is why we demand that the Obama administration issue the long-delayed ADA regulations applying to the Internet the legal principle of equal access for all.”

National Federation of the Blind 2014 National Convention

mz22 — Wed, 21 May 2014 17:27:17 +0000

The National Federation of the Blind will hold its 2014 National Convention July 1-6, 2014 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. During this annual convention, board members and national officers are elected; important decisions are made regarding the organization and next year’s policies. The conference typically sees an average attendance of around 3k attendees. Preregistration for the event is currently open.

Start Date:

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - 8:00am to Sunday, July 6, 2014 - 10:00pm

Additional Information:

NFB Convention 2014

Vision Loss

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

New International Treaty for Accessible Books

mz22 — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:15:28 +0000

World Intellectual Property Organization

Vision Loss

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

Draft of the Treaty

Washington Post: "Group finalizes treaty to expand book access for world's blind community"

June 2013 — The World Intellectual Property Organization met at the end of June to finalize the terms of a treaty, which would legally allow for copyrighted material to be made accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Currently, less than one percent of all the world’s books are available in accessible formats including Braille, large print or audio recordings. However, under the treaty, authorized entities will be able to copy materials in accessible formats “without authorization of the copyright right holder.” According to Marc Maurer, the president of the National Federation of the Blind, “This historic treaty, the first ever international instrument specifically addressing the needs of the world’s blind, will dramatically increase access to published works and the empowering information and ideas they contain by a community that has traditionally experienced barriers to obtaining the world’s knowledge.”

New Free App for the Blind and Print-disabled

blippincott4 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:59:10 +0000

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

Apple App Store: NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile

06.04.2012 – NFB-NEWSLINE, a service sponsored in part by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), launched a free Apple app allowing users to access the NFB-NEWSLINE free audible newspaper service for the blind and print-disabled. The app grants NFB-Newsline subscribers access to over three hundred newspapers, forty magazines, and television listings on their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Director of the NFB-NEWSLINE program Scott White stated, “We are proud to offer our subscribers this new exciting mobile iOS application that allows them access to their favorite publications at home, while travelling to work, in the classroom, or in the office. If you’re looking for news from around the corner or from around the globe, NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile can help you quickly find it.” Those interested in subscribing to the NFB-NEWSLINE service may fill out an application online or call 866-504-7300. [Source: NFB-NEWSLINE]