TAKE AIM AT TARGET’S DISCRIMINATION

TAKE AIM AT TARGET’S DISCRIMINATION

The National Federation for the Blind, an organization that represents blind people, is suing Target Corp., because Target’s Web site is inaccessible to blind Internet users. Please check the web - you will find lots of info about this case.

Last month a federal judge in California allowed the NFB's case to proceed, rejecting Target's argument that its Web site wasn't subject to the Americans With Disabilities Act, a 1990 law that requires retailers and other public places to make accommodations for people with disabilities. Target argued that the law only covered physical spaces. The case, at discovery phase in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, could set an important precedent for applying federal accessibility law to the Internet. I can not understand why Target is so arrogant - believing they do not have to make their web pages accessible to thousands of people.

Most companies are eager to have business from all shoppers. Not Target. I am sure the attorney's fees will cost Target more than simply fixing their web pages. What about all the bad press? Since Feb - when the case was filed, I have refused to shop at any TARGET site.

Since folks in the city of Davis, and throughout northern California, care so much about political correctness I ask - will you join my boycott? You or your love one, perhaps your neighbor or co-worker - just might be the next person needing to use a screen reader. Accessible web pages also benefit people with low vision, color blindness, other mobility or developmental problems and those with language limitations too.

The United Nations feels web accessibility is so important that it has set International Day of Disabled Persons 2006 as E-Accessibility Day - Dec 3, 2006.

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/iddp2006.htm

“Access to information and communication technologies creates opportunities to everyone in society, but perhaps no-more so than for persons with disabilities. No longer do the societal barriers of prejudice, infrastructure, and inaccessible formats stand in the way of participation. When available to everyone, information technologies foster individuals to reach their full potential, and for persons with disabilities it allows them to play their part in society's development.”

These quotes from the United Nations really focuses on the issues.

“Several places already have legislation and regulations requiring websites to be fully accessible. At the international level, standards and guidelines on website accessibility are being developed. Once adopted and ratified, the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will require entities ensure that persons with disabilities can access information technologies. It specifies that measures should be introduced to eliminate obstacles and barriers to information and communications, and to promote access for persons with disabilities to information and communications technologies, including the Internet.”

“Making information technologies available to persons with disabilities is not only a matter of human rights, it also makes good business sense. Studies suggest that accessible websites appear higher up the page rankings of search engines and can save costs on web maintenance. It also allows companies access to a largely untapped customer base. Many websites, however, remain inaccessible for the visually impaired and the blind.”

International Day of Disabled Persons will be recognized on December 3, 2006, as E-Accessibility Day, and will promote accessibility to information technologies. “Through its efforts, and collaboration with others, the United Nations aims to raise appreciation among Governments, private entities and the public of the significant benefits to persons with disabilities and society when they are empowered with increased access to information technologies.”

If the United Nations feels this issue is of great value - why can’t Target get the picture? Please help Target officials change their narrow minds. I would stand up for you to have every right you are entitled to - so how about standing up for those with special needs - that would like to take full advantage of shopping the web. Let's make the web safer and accessible for all. I hope our public opinion will change Target's attitude!


As we plan for E-Accessibility Day Dec 3 2006 lets make a difference. Make your dollars count - shop at businesses that believe in and practice equal access.

Take aim at practices and policies by the Target Corporation that discriminate! Our dollars spent at other stores may help Target realize their mistakes.


Anne B. Evans
Advocate and Activist Disabled Senior
Host ACCESS RADIO PROGRAM
Davis, California