[accesscomp] Universities will not use kindle.
- From: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:08:58 -0800
Universities Will Not Deploy Kindle DX as Textbook Reader National
Federation of the Blind Commends Schools for Demanding Accessibility for Blind
Students
Baltimore, Maryland (November 11, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind,
the oldest and largest organization of blind Americans, today applauded the
decision of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Syracuse University to not
deploy Amazon's Kindle DX as a means of distributing electronic textbooks
(e-books) to their students.
The Kindle DX features text-to-speech technology that can read textbooks aloud.
The menus of the device are not accessible to the blind, however, making it
impossible for a blind user to purchase books from Amazon's Kindle store,
select a book to read, activate the text-to-speech feature, and use the
advanced reading
functions available on the Kindle DX. Both universities have experimented with
the Kindle DX to learn whether e-book technology is useful to their students.
But the schools will not adopt the device for general use unless and until it
is made accessible to blind students.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The
National Federation of the Blind commends the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and Syracuse University for rejecting broad deployment of the Kindle DX in its
current form because it cannot be used by blind students and therefore denies
the blind equal access to electronic textbooks. We do not oppose electronic
textbooks; in fact, they hold great promise for blind students if they are
accessible. But as long as the interface of the Kindle DX is inaccessible to
the blind-denying blind students access to electronic textbooks or the advanced
features available to read and annotate them-it is our position that no
university should consider this device to be a viable e-book solution for its
students."
The University of Wisconsin-Madison experimented with e-books for assigned
course reading in an upper-level history seminar and encouraged students to
give feedback about their experiences using e-books. Ken Frazier, the
university's director of libraries, said of the Kindle: "The big disappointment
was learning that the Kindle DX is not accessible to the blind. Advancements
in text-to-speech technology have created a market opportunity for an e-book
reading device that is fully accessible for
everyone. This version of the Kindle e-book reader missed the mark. It is
relatively easy to envision an improved e-book reading device that meets the
needs of the entire university community. Such a device would include
universal design for accessibility, higher-quality graphics, and improved
navigation and note-taking. I think that there will be a huge payoff for the
company that creates a truly universal e-book reader."
Pamela McLaughlin, director of communications and external relations at
Syracuse University, said: "The university purchased two Kindle DX devices to
learn whether they might be an appropriate means of distributing textbooks and
course materials. Students are experimenting with these devices so that we can
learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of this technology. At this
time, however, we have no plans to purchase any more of these units in light of
the fact that they are inaccessible to blind students. If Syracuse University
decides to use e-book technology on campus, we will require technology that can
be used by all of our students, including those who are blind."
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 people's 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. Please visit our
Web site: www.nfb.org.
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