[blindlaw] BART Incident, Talking with Reporters

Wed Nov 1 12:46:34 CST 2006

Please be careful and consider the possible adverse outcomes if you
involve the press.  As many of us on this list know, you have no control
over what comes out in the final article.  As demonstrated by the
healthy exchange of thoughts on that BART issue, we are dealing with
some fairly important issues, and ones for which a good understanding
will involve a sophisticated bit of writing.  While you may succeed at
getting an article that provides a good discussion, I think it is much
more likely that the article will pick some part of the scenario, and
you will end up with something that is more damaging than helpful.
Remember, it was the BART detectible warning strips controversy that
resulted in an editorial in the San Jose Mercury that concluded a group
of blind folks that opposed the detectible warnings were out in left
field.  The title if I remember correctly, "Pride Goeth Before Fall"
tells you everything you need to know about that article.  The press is
a great weapon in the right circumstance, but it is certainly a two
edged sword.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Mark BurningHawk
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 9:04 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Safeway installs tactile keypad for blind
shoppers

I often shop at a Safeway here in Oakland; I will be curious to see if 
indeed it is installed and relieved if it is installed.  BTW:  Since I"m
now 
registered to vote in CA, how do I go about doing so completely 
independently of sighted assistance?  Any information is welcome.

PS:  For those of you following my BART incident, investigations of both
the 
agent and the police woman involved are under way.  Guiding Eyes for the

Blind has written substantiating my position and that my dog performed
as 
expected and I have been contacted by several reporters wishing to run
some 
form of my story in various papers.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ford, Tim (DHS-OLS)" <TFord at dhs.ca.gov>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:10 AM
Subject: [blindlaw] Safeway installs tactile keypad for blind shoppers

From: Lainey Feingold [mailto:lfeingold1 at earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:00 PM
To: lfeingold1 at earthlink.net
Subject: Safeway installs tactile keypad for blind shoppers
The press release below is the result of an agreement between Safeway,
the American Council of the Blind, the California Council of the Blind,
and the American Foundation for the Blind.  The agreement was reached
through  Structured Negotiations, a legal advocacy method that
emphasizes collaboration and avoids litigation. The Safeway tactile
point of sale agreement is the twenty fourth legal agreement reached on
accessible technology between the blind community and the private sector
through the Structured Negotiations process.  Questions or comments can
be sent to us at mailto:lfeingold at earthlink.net
  or
mailto:ldardarian at gdblegal.net
 .  Lainey and Linda
October 31, 2006 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Safeway Installs New Equipment to Protect Financial Privacy of Shoppers
With Visual Impairments Blind Community Leaders Applaud Safeway's
Commitment PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a move praised by
state and national blind organizations, Safeway (NYSE:SWY) today
announced that it has begun installing equipment to protect the privacy
and security of Safeway shoppers with visual impairments. The new
devices plug into existing point of sale payment machines and have
tactile keys arranged like a standard telephone keypad. They will allow
Safeway shoppers who have difficulty reading information on a
touchscreen to privately and independently enter their PIN, telephone
number, and other confidential information. Safeway operates stores
across the country under the banners Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls,
Tom Thumb, Genuardi's, Dominick's, Pak'n Save Foods and Carrs stores.
Every Safeway store in California has already been equipped with several
of the devices, and they will be installed across the country over the
next 12 months. Today's announcement is the result of collaboration
between Safeway and major blindness organizations including the American
Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and the
California Council of the Blind. "ACB and CCB are membership
organizations with thousands of members across the country and in
California who will benefit from Safeway's commitment," said Jeff Thom,
President of the CCB. Carl Augusto, President and CEO of the AFB, also
praised Safeway's announcement: "Today's announcement by Safeway
demonstrates the Company's commitment to the privacy and convenience of
its blind and visually impaired customers." "Safeway has a long history
of supporting our communities and people with disabilities. This
decision is one way we can help customers who are blind or visually
impaired experience a better shopping experience in every Safeway store
throughout the country," said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice
President Chief Strategist and Administrative Officer. According to the
website of the American Foundation for the Blind, there are
approximately 10 million blind and visually impaired people in the
United States. About Safeway Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and
one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on
sales. The company operates 1,767 stores in the United States and Canada
and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005. The company's common
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
About the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the California Council
of the Blind
(CCB)
The American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy
organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans
throughout the country, with members organized through seventy state and
special interest affiliates. The California Council of the Blind is the
California affiliate of the ACB, and is a statewide membership
organization, with 40 local chapters and statewide special interest
associations. The ACB and CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of
life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who have
visual impairments. Their members and affiliated organizations have a
long history of commitment to the advancement of policies and programs
which will enhance independence for people who are blind and visually
impaired. More information about the ACB and CCB can be found by
visiting www.acb.org  and http://www.ccbnet.org/ . About the American
Foundation for the Blind The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is
a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision
loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology;
elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who
serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy
living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families
with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen
Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen Keller worked
tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit us online. Contacts
Safeway Inc. Brian Dowling, 925-467-3787 Teena Massingill, 925-467-3810
or AFB, ACB, CCB Lainey Feingold, 510-548-5062 lfeingold at earthlink.net
Linda Dardarian, 510-763-9800 ldardarian at gdblegal.com Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold 1524 Scenic Avenue Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
mailto:lfeingold1 at earthlink.net

__._,_.___

------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

> _______________________________________________
> blindlaw mailing list
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw
> 

_______________________________________________
blindlaw mailing list
blindlaw at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw