[bcab] Cooperative Agreement with AppleConcerning iTunes

Folks

Apologies if this has been sent to the list before, I have been away and have 
just got back on the list.  I think it is worth seeing so am taking the risk 
anyway.

Steve

"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@xxxxxxx

National Federation of the Blind and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Announce Agreement with Apple to Make iTunes Fully Accessible

Baltimore, Maryland (September 26, 2008): The National Federation of the
Blind and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today announced
a
cooperative agreement with Apple, Inc. to make Apples iTunes software,
iTunes Store, and iTunes U more accessible to the blind.  On September
9,
Apple released iTunes 8, which contains significant accessibility
improvements.  Under todays agreement, Apple will make iTunes U (a
dedicated area of the iTunes Store for content provided by colleges and
universities) fully accessible by December 31, 2008, and will ensure the
full accessibility of the iTunes software and the rest of the iTunes
Store

to blind people using both Mac and Windows operating systems by June 30,
2009.  Over the next three years, Apple will continue to work with

officials in the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General and the
National Federation of the Blind to ensure that the iTunes services
remain
accessible to the blind and that accessibility issues are resolved.
Apple
has also agreed to contribute $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission
for
the Blind to assist the agency in providing adaptive technology to blind
residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said:
Computer technology is a critical means of access to business,
education,
information, and entertainment in the twenty-first century, and the
blind
must have equal access if we are to be equal participants in society.
By
making its extremely popular iTunes service fully accessible to the
blind,
Apple is setting an example that should be followed by the entire
information technology industry.  The National Federation of the Blind
is
pleased to have worked with Attorney General Coakley and her staff to
reach this important agreement with Apple, and we will continue to work
tirelessly until the blind have equal
access to the full range of products and services available to the
public
through the Internet and other information technologies.

   Our office is committed to providing equal opportunity to all
citizens of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, said Attorney General Martha Coakley.
This agreement will benefit blind Commonwealth citizens and all blind
Americans by making one of the most widely used computer applications
accessible to them.  I applaud Apple for its commitment to accessibility
and look forward to continuing to work with the National Federation of
the
Blind to ensure that rapid progress is made in making the iTunes
software
and services usable by everyone.
###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is
the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in
the United States. The NFB improves blind peoples lives through
advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence
and
self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today
and
the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research
and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.


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