April 25, 2024

whiskeygingershop

Learn new things

Blind business owners battling with Washington economical guidance web-site

Those who are visually impaired say the state’s website does not zoom in or operate with laptop or computer voice readers.

TUMWATER, Wash. — The Washington State Office of Commerce is functioning to correct technological accessibility difficulties for visually impaired enterprise entrepreneurs trying to get reduction. 

The state is offering grants of up to $20,000 to smaller company house owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and applicants ought to fill out programs on the web. 

Shannon Warnke, who is lawfully blind and depends on enlarging photographs on her personal computer, stated she could not full the software with no support from her son. 

“I would have been screwed,” explained Warnke, who runs the cafeteria at the state’s Section of Labor & Industries Tumwater headquarters. 

“Not every person has a sighted man or woman in the home residing with them,” mentioned Warnke.

Robert Ott, who has been completely blind considering the fact that 1990, stated his computer software that verbalizes what is observed on the monitor does not function on the site. 

A Office of Commerce spokesperson stated they have obtained grievances from visually impaired company owners and stated the website’s vendor is performing on a take care of. 

The spokesperson advised any person with inquiries about the grant course of action reach out to the section online or by mobile phone at (360) 725-5003.