We kept it simple but said it differently.

            My bill would extend Maryland’s public accommodations law to business websites and prevent discrimination because of someone’s physical disability.

            “If you want to buy a plane ticket or purchase a book at Amazon, it’s a very simple transaction,” I told the members of the Health and Government Operations Committee, “but if you’re blind, it isn’t – unless the website is designed correctly.”

            My goal: put my fellow legislators in the shoes of a blind person.    

            “Wheelchair ramps that provide accessibility to a building are now commonplace,” stated the next witness, Andy Freeman.  “Websites that the blind can use should be as well.” 

             A practicing lawyer, Andy used a precedent for what our bill seeks to accomplish. 

             “Shopping is a good thing, but for us, this is a civil rights issue,” declared Sharon Maneki, the leading advocate for the blind in Maryland.

                Sharon made it personal. 

                Each of us brought a different perspective to the legislation. 

                Our goals were identical.

March 8