From: Pete Donahue 
Subject: NFB to EIN (fwd)
Fellow federationists and friends,
I just wanted to share this message with those on these lists.  I hope I
am not sending you a duplicate message, but on the other hand i don't know
why it wasn't posted here to begin with.
peter donahue
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 12:20:13 -0500
From: Pittsburgh visually Impaired Computer 
To: Multiple recipients of list BLIND-L 
Subject: NFB to EIN
The EIN will discuss blind access at its meeting Thursday night.
Here is a letter from NFB to the EIN.  The chairperson of the EIN is :
Mary K. Biagini
Associate Dean and Editor, School Library Media Quarterly
School of Information Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
135 N. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh  PA  15260
Voice:  412-624-5230    Fax:  412-624-5231    e-mail mkb@sis.pitt.edu
>From woods@dns.city-net.comTue Dec 10 12:04:13 1996
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 10:51:46 EST
From: woods@dns.city-net.com
Subject: NFBP resolution concerning EIN
Connie Woods
President, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania
Midtown Towers
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
(412) 562-0372
woods@dns.city-net.com
December 9, 1996
The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter is an integral part of the National
Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania.  Our purpose is to promote
the social and economic welfare of all blind persons.
I have read the mission statement of the Electronic Information
Network of Allegheny County which outlines a plan to provide equal
access to electronic information for all county residents.  In
addition, I have read the EIN Report which illustrates the many
benefits of Internet access, i.e. employment, education, social
services, entertainment and health.  One can only be impressed by
the wealth of knowledge one can attain when afforded the
opportunity to explore "the information highway".
Like every county resident, we pay taxes and it is our right to
expect service provided to "all" residents to include the blind as
well.
Providing electronic information access to the blind is readily
achievable based upon the financial resources of the EIN, which
exceed $10 million.
A wide variety of assistive technology hardware and software is
available, and the blind use a number of screen readers, speech
synthesizers, print enlargement software, and Braille devices to access
information on the screen.  We suggest that you contact the National
Federation of the Blind Technology Center co-ordinator, Richard Ring, for 
ore
details.  The number to call is (410) 659-9314.
The attached resolution, passed at our recent convention, supports
our view that such an enhancement of library services in Allegheny
County is a critical issue to blind citizens.  Neglecting this
matter can only serve to further diminish the ability of blind
people to work and participate in our society.
Since the EIN was aware of this issue prior to this letter, it is
not unreasonable to expect a response within 30 days.
Sincerely,
Connie Woods
President, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter NFBP
Whereas  a group of individuals formed an organization called The
electronic Information Network of Allegheny County, and
whereas the purpose of this organization is to provide electronic
access to under served residents of allegheny County with regard
to all library services, and
whereas  through private and public funds they raised over $10
million and plan to use this money to place over 1100 computers in
county libraries; and
     where as since 1994 the blind community has consistently
expressed interest and concern about the need to make the entire
system accessible; and
Whereas to date the EIN has made no concrete plans, commitments or
progress toward addressing the concerns of the blind community in
this matter; and
     Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that
public entities assure equal access to it systems; and
where as funds were raised to benefit all under served residence in
Allegheny County, and, blind persons surely qualify as
"under served" given the difficulty of accessing the print media;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the National federation of The blind of Pennsylvania in
convention assembled this 10th day of November 1996 in the City of
Harrisburg that:
     1. We support the efforts of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter to
do everything necessary to rectify this situation;
     2. That a copy of this resolution and a letter be sent to the
members of the board of the EIN and the county commissioners giving
them  thirty days to provide us with a plan to remedy the
situation.
     3.  If they fail to respond in a positive way, along with our
Greater Pittsburgh Chapter this organization will file a complaint
with the Pennsylvania Human relations Commission and the US
Department of Justice, alleging a violation of both Pennsylvania
law and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  and
4. This organization will do everything necessary to remedy this
situation including acquiring an attorney to file an action in the
courts.
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