New opportuniteies for blind bingo fans

I was extremely touched to hear some heartwarming news about a blind bingo fan in the USA who has been battling steadfastly to win the right to use audible bingo cards when she plays bingo.

51 year old Joanna Richardson hails from Rochester NY and is blind. A long-term bingo enthusiast, the only way she can comfortably play the bingo games at her local bingo hall is either with a companion, or by using audible bingo cards.

These special electronic bingo cards enable players to keep track of ball calls with the emission of beeps everytime a number can be daubed during a bingo game, and made playing bingo much easier for Joanna. However other bingo players complained about the noisy beeps and further use of the cards was disallowed by local bingo halls in her area, unless the cards were set to ’silent’ mode – an apparent contradiction in terms.

Joanna started campaigning against this decision and took the battle all the way to the NY Racing and Wagering Board, not letting up until victory was assured. She has now won the right to use her audible bingo cards wherever she plays bingo, and is happy to have won her battle.

“You have the control over the majority of what’s going on now” she said “You don’t feel like you’re throwing your money away. You know when you’re waiting and you know when you won. You can’t be cheated.” she was quoted saying.

Joanna can now set the card to make a beep when she has 1TG (one to go) or when she hits a bingo, which will allow her to play bingo again comfortable in the knowledge that she won’t miss out on a win (unless she falls asleep)!

What I found unsettling about this report was that apparently the entire issue appeared to have been caused by fellow bingo players, annoyed with the beeps emitted by the electronic bingo card. It just doesn’t seem to be in character of any bingo fan, whether you play bingo online or in a traditional bingo hall, to exclude someone from playing bingo games for such a selfish issue. My words might sound strong, but how would you play bingo if you were blind?

So from across the ocean, my hearty congratulations to Joanna for the courage to stick to her convictions and score a victory for blind bingo players, bless her cotton socks! And a noisy ‘Booooo sucks’ to all those individuals who complained. Shame on you.