I recently read an article about a class action suite of Blind people against Target. The party was suing because Target’s web site made it nearly impossible for the Blind to use. In order for blind people to use the internet the must use programs specially designed to turn text into speech. Companies such as Best Buy and Amazon, aware of the potential for a larger costumer base, have designed their websites to be compatible with the text to speech programs. The blind are suing under the people with disabilities act; they claim Target has an obligation to make their website accessible to the Blind.
I think that Target as a business has a duty to satisfy all of its costumers; however, they should not have a legal obligation to create a website that is ‘Blind friendly’. I think Target will eventually create a website that is better suited to incorporate Blind users who operate text to speech programs, but they should do so willingly. The government should not play a role in this decision, because lazier fare will fix the discrepancy. Let the record show that I am not against government intervention; I have a moderate political and economic ideology. In this situation, if Target does not make their website blind friendly they will lose potential costumers to competitors such as Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. I doubt that Target is intentionally discriminating against blind people. The Internet is vast and products sold at Target can be found elsewhere with the click of a button. Inhibited mobility is not the issue at hand, as it was when the people with disabilities act was passed. I hope I do not come off as being against blind people and their causes. They are valuable members of our society who deserve to be treated with respect.