14 March 2005
It works!
Or at least, I did it once and it worked (although the cynic in me wonders if I'd have gotten a different response if I'd used my personal email address rather than my work one, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt in this case).
Anyway, some of you might remember might post in early January urging you to write to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 461 regarding web accessibility.
Obviously, while urging you lot to write to your MPs, I wrote to my own MP asking her to sign the EDM and enquiring as to her plans for ensuring the accessibility of her own site and sat back waiting for a response.
... and waited.
... and waited.
... and waited a bit more.
... and was on the verge of writing a fairly sharp follow up email because I'd heard absolutely nothing. Probably including something along the lines of asking whether it was common and acceptable practice for MPs to utterly ignore communication from their constituents.
I don't have to do that now, since finding a letter from the House of Commons on the doormat this morning.
Seems that my email worked. She's signed the EDM, said she's passed my concerns to the DTI (although I have no way of knowing whether she has or not) and also apologised for the delay in responding. In addition, she's also indicated that she's going to look at the accessibility of her website (which isn't as bad as some I've seen, but it's got a way to go), which is also a good thing (if she follows through with it).
What interests me more though is that it appears she might have persuaded another MP to sign the EDM at the same time she did (a quick shufty at the EDM database lets you see what EDMs your MP has signed, and it seems that they frequently sign in packs).
So. If you wrote before and haven't heard back from your MP or if your MP wrote back and said they'd sign, or they'd think about signing, have a check to see if they've made good on their promise, and if they haven't, please consider following it up.
On the other hand, if you didn't write before, or weren't reading two months ago and don't know what I'm talking about, then why not take the opportunity to do it now. Follow the link above to my previous post, where you can find all the details of what to do and how to do it.
This post brought to you by my complete and utter surprise that the process actually worked.
Bravo!
To borrow from St. Paul, you fought the good fight.
I had similar problems with my representative here in the states. I am glad to see that progress is being made some place!
Great news - mine hasn't replied yet. Wil keep fingers crossed...
Whoops - despite his being an evil tory - I checked the site and he signed.
Well everyone can get something right sometimes...
Good for you!
I'm still waiting for a snail mail reply from no-email-and-no-website Tory mp and the EDM website is down at the minute so can't check. Will send a stroppy follow up (and press on with my own plans as soon as work deadlines are down to manageable rather than manic).
Apparently, if you own property, going to council meetings is a pretty good way to effect change as well.
... the online home and (not very) alter(ed)-ego of Ann McMeekin, a recently freelance Web Accessibility Consultant.
... passionate about many things, most of which will turn up on this site at some time or other.
... contactable via email.
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