I just noticed a funny thing on a website's comment form: 
blindcaptcha.png
After typing in a comment, the user is asked to type in a series of letters (CAPTCHA) to verify that the comment is coming from a person and not a machine trying to leave spam.  There's a little handicap symbol next to the input field, and clicking on it plays a sound of a person speaking numbers (interspersed with random unintelligible noise) that will also pass the spam test.  I have nothing against blind people, so I applaud things that attempt to help them without simultaneously degrading them.  But I have to admit I'm slightly confused by this situation.  If all things work as expected, we have
  1. A blind person using a computer.
  2. Said blind person reading/hearing blogs.
  3. Said blind person desiring to leave a comment.
  4. Said blind person leaving a comment, attempting to pass spam test.
  5. Said blind person finding the handicap button and listening to confusing sounds.
  6. Said blind person entering perceived sounds into input field.
  7. Said blind person feeling satisfied by leaving a comment.
This process is confusing enough for a non-blind person.  Take away the ability to see, and I can't imagine it's very user-friendly. #technology