Touch screen technology not for me

Touch screen technology is growing by leaps and bounds but sad to say, I am
unable to take advantage of it and as this technology continues on its merry
way I am going to be left behind. More and more hand-held devices are using
touch screen technology and as things stand, blind persons are already
behind when it comes to being able to use mainstream hand-held devices. So,
what does all of this mean for blind persons? Nothing more but more
challenges for us to face and more of being shut out of advancing
technology.

In order to use touch screen technology, one has to be able to see where
they need to touch on the screen and we as blind persons are unable to do
so. In addition to hand-held devices, there are other things that touch
screen technology is being deployed for. Such as, menus on microwaves,
VCRs, and appliances and gadgets that requires the user to use menus to set
up programs, clocks, and so on. Some video games are also using touch
screen technology and I would not be surprised if in the future banking
machines go the same way.

I hope and pray that manufacturers are listening and that they do something
to keep us in the loop. Not just blind persons, but those who are afflicted
with diseases that prevent them from using their hands to do things.
Persons who suffer from such disabling diseases as MS, Parkinson's, CP, and
so on. If you would like to know more about how blind persons are unable to
use touch screen technology then please visit www.acb.org or www.nfb.org.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a
terrific day and week ahead and urging you to go out there and help to
encourage manufacturers to make touch screen technology more available and
accessible to blind persons.