Unbelievable and embarrassing. Is this a new low for CAPTCHA and also for the White House? Let me explain.
In order to sign an online petition by the White House to make books globally accessible to the blind, one must register an account. The fail point is that to register, one must complete a Captcha and the audio version is indecipherable. Therefore, blind folks cannot sign a petition advocating equality for the blind!
A very sad irony.
Here’s an example of the audio Captcha required to decipher in order to register to complete the petition. Because it’s impossible to decipher, the website does not meet Section 508 requirements as the White House claims.
Unfortunately there is still no clear solution to the Captcha accessibility and usability issues. For now it seems a combination of other techniques (see links below) is the best way to go.
Press links:
- Blind advocates blast White House (Politico)
- Captcha Fail Leaves Blind People Unable To Sign ‘We The People’ Petition To Help The Blind (Huffington Post)
- Blind people can’t sign the petition supporting treaty for the blind (MSN)
Articles on Captcha alternatives:
- Spam-free accessible forms (WebAIM)
- In Search Of The Perfect CAPTCHA (Smashing Magazine)
- Alternatives to CAPTCHA (EvenGrounds)
One reply on “Rock bottom for Captcha, White House”
That is astoundingly bad. And it’s an accomplishment to hit a new low with CAPTCHA.