Online newspaper doesn't consider needs of blind readers

To the Editor:

I was reading the paper and came across an article that caught my eye, pardon the pun. A young lady named Stephanie Shuey wrote a letter indicating that people should be aware of White Cane Safety Day.

I just wanted to let Stephanie know that I am also blind and graduated from Libby High School in 1975 and went on to college. I retired my white cane and received a German shepherd guide dog.

Stephanie Shuey, set your goals high and you will achieve them. I found that most people in Libby are aware as to what a white cane is used for. Thank you Stephanie for writing that letter. I hope you go to college and obtain all of your goals. You can do it.

Since I am writing, I thought I would bring something else to your attention. Since you changed your Web format it is very difficult for me to read the paper. I e-mailed The Western News asking if they could put a text only link on to their Web site and apparently the request has fallen on deaf ears. It is really difficult to read the paper with all of the graphics. Hopefully someone there might take the time to see what they could do and put a text-only link to the Web site.

When I first heard The Western News was online I was very excited because I could read the paper instead of asking my dad to read it to me. You are not a big city paper and you don't need all of the visual crap that you have online. Please put a text-only link on your Web site so people like myself, and Stephanie Shuey, can enjoy the paper like everyone who has sight. Thank you for your time.

Donald Orr