It's actually a fairly common practice for email marketing, because some email clients can't read the embedded images (in this case the yellow background area with the Helen Keller services for the blind).
So, any email client can see the text at top (including the link), but not necessarily the embedded yellow portion.
"Kind of like the Braille-labeled keypads on drive-up ATMs..."
People constantly bring this up, heck, it's been on The Straight Dope since 19-freaking 94! All ATMs have to be accessible. Blind people can be passengers and often will get out at the drive up to use the ATM or they sit behind the driver to use it, or, shockers! They take a cab!
There are readers for the visually impaired that would allow them to click the link within the email. I do see the irony though; but I guess they have to somehow let their readers know they can access an alternate version of the email by clicking the link.
As far as being the fun police/joke explainer, as someone who uses alternative means to access certain things online it's just not funny, it's tiresome. Every single blind person says, "Hey, have you seen that movie? Did you see that email" and deaf people say "Hey, have you heard that joke? Did you hear that they're shutting the government down"?
I don't know, I guess it's funny if you haven't a clue how disabled people function, so a line saying "click here if you have trouble viewing it" can make someone with sight laugh. We do recognize the irony, but it passed the funny stage the first few dozen times the joke was made.
Dammit, Dr G, you know better. Disabilities do not exist for the sake of humour. Blind people use websites and read email just like everyone else. Oh, yes, the irony. Let's point out the disability so we can appreciate the joke. Bad Grumpy.
The "ATM with braille" reminds me of a tale: A 'friend' of mine came up to me one day, laughing her head off, to tell me, "This is hilarious - the elevators in the new parking garage have BRAILLE on the buttons."
I replied, as sarcastically as I could manage, "You're right, that's hilarious. Of course there's no way a blind *passenger* would be in there and need the elevator, everyone knows only *drivers* are allowed in the garage." I might have called her dumbass, too.
So Dr G if you do this again, I'm coming after you with my cane. And remember what the nice drag queen told my friends - never mess around with a woman who has a big stick.
In the future all comedy will be outlawed. It's the ONLY way to make sure no one is offended, because that's the worst thing in the world. Just recently a renowned doctor was threatened with a cane for a humorous blog post.
Until the law goes into effect, I think I'll get out my leeches and let them have a go at me so I can weaken myself sufficiently to stop all this laughing at other people's expense.
As a little round smiley-face druggist, I find it hard to imagine myself as psycho babe.
One year early in my career, I did dress up like a nearly decapitated hag (latex mask) with bats, eye of newt, bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, white shawl and all. The get-up came off quite quickly when mothers complained I was scaring their kiddos. I guess it was too realistic.
Oh come on!!! I'm "disabled" and I make fun of myself... If you didn't have some fun, Life could really suck.And lighten up Moose & a couple of Anon's. Taking yourself too seriously is bad for you.
People do have electronic readers for their computer and other things like prescription bottles. I do note the irony.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea blindness could be cured with a mouse click now. Amazing advances, huh?
ReplyDeleteKind of like the Braille-labeled keypads on drive-up ATMs...
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a fairly common practice for email marketing, because some email clients can't read the embedded images (in this case the yellow background area with the Helen Keller services for the blind).
ReplyDeleteSo, any email client can see the text at top (including the link), but not necessarily the embedded yellow portion.
"Kind of like the Braille-labeled keypads on drive-up ATMs..."
ReplyDeletePeople constantly bring this up, heck, it's been on The Straight Dope since 19-freaking 94! All ATMs have to be accessible. Blind people can be passengers and often will get out at the drive up to use the ATM or they sit behind the driver to use it, or, shockers! They take a cab!
And of course we have to have the fun police and joke explainers chime in...
ReplyDeleteThere are readers for the visually impaired that would allow them to click the link within the email. I do see the irony though; but I guess they have to somehow let their readers know they can access an alternate version of the email by clicking the link.
ReplyDeleteAs far as being the fun police/joke explainer, as someone who uses alternative means to access certain things online it's just not funny, it's tiresome. Every single blind person says, "Hey, have you seen that movie? Did you see that email" and deaf people say "Hey, have you heard that joke? Did you hear that they're shutting the government down"?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I guess it's funny if you haven't a clue how disabled people function, so a line saying "click here if you have trouble viewing it" can make someone with sight laugh. We do recognize the irony, but it passed the funny stage the first few dozen times the joke was made.
Dammit, Dr G, you know better. Disabilities do not exist for the sake of humour. Blind people use websites and read email just like everyone else. Oh, yes, the irony. Let's point out the disability so we can appreciate the joke. Bad Grumpy.
ReplyDeleteThe "ATM with braille" reminds me of a tale:
A 'friend' of mine came up to me one day, laughing her head off, to tell me, "This is hilarious - the elevators in the new parking garage have BRAILLE on the buttons."
I replied, as sarcastically as I could manage, "You're right, that's hilarious. Of course there's no way a blind *passenger* would be in there and need the elevator, everyone knows only *drivers* are allowed in the garage." I might have called her dumbass, too.
So Dr G if you do this again, I'm coming after you with my cane. And remember what the nice drag queen told my friends - never mess around with a woman who has a big stick.
In the future all comedy will be outlawed. It's the ONLY way to make sure no one is offended, because that's the worst thing in the world. Just recently a renowned doctor was threatened with a cane for a humorous blog post.
ReplyDeleteUntil the law goes into effect, I think I'll get out my leeches and let them have a go at me so I can weaken myself sufficiently to stop all this laughing at other people's expense.
Next on my list: Psycho Pharmacists.
ReplyDeleteDon't mess with the Moose.
It's only Hallowe'en once a year, after all.
ReplyDeleteAs a little round smiley-face druggist, I find it hard to imagine myself as psycho babe.
One year early in my career, I did dress up like a nearly decapitated hag (latex mask) with bats, eye of newt, bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, white shawl and all. The get-up came off quite quickly when mothers complained I was scaring their kiddos. I guess it was too realistic.
Oh come on!!! I'm "disabled" and I make fun of myself... If you didn't have some fun, Life could really suck.And lighten up Moose & a couple of Anon's. Taking yourself too seriously is bad for you.
ReplyDelete