[blindkid] Please write a letter to Jeff Bezos about Kindles

Tue Nov 27 04:01:29 UTC 2012

Agreed, not only are there various book sources for iPod, iPad, etc., but other kinds of machines including audio books from the Library of Congress formatted for their own (free) players and various sources like bookshare for .brl and DAISY format books for various other players and even refreshable braille, but I think the key point of concern is an attempt to proliferate a new electronic "standard" of a sort in schools which is not appropriately accessible.

I have two typically sighted children and one braille reader ranging from 1st grade through college and especially the 4th grader and the college student are both dealing with a significant amount of non-traditional textbook support materials. E-texts need to be accessible for the needs of the blind and dyslexic, those with low vision, or any other special needs.

We've been hearing for years that as we move from physical, paper books, we'll find better and better access for our kids, but so far, I'm not seeing it. Instead, we're finding even less accessible materials. Case in point: some classes now use only web-based text books, but the pages have not been coded properly for JAWS to read them, nor can the text be copied and pasted from the books to be read through other means. The web pages will self-read, but the means to select what is read is not accessible either, so the net result is to have a computer read the texts to my blind daughter, I have to click over and over for her, and besides, she needs to be able to READ her texts (in braille), not just listen to them. Reading and listening are two entirely different processes for learning and all our students need access to both methods, kist like their typically-sighted counterparts.

I find it incomprehensible in today's growing world of accessible formats and standards that Kindle would not want to be at the front of the line of vendors to market accessible solutions, if not for the sake of those who need the adapted solutions, then for the opportunity to look extremely politically correct. What a foolish decision by Kindle. I hope they get their acts together, no matter if by their own choice or if they are forced into it.

Richard 

On Nov 26, 2012, at 9:08 PM, Bo Page wrote:

> there are other sources for getting downloads.  My daughter downloads books onto 
> her iPod all the time.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Penny Duffy <pennyduffy at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" 
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Mon, November 26, 2012 8:45:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Please write a letter to Jeff Bezos about Kindles
> 
> Carlton..
> 
> Should we have our kids write letters too?  I am adding this to my to do
> list for tomorrow.  Thank you for the reminder.
> -Penny
> ----------
> My Blog - visionfora.blogspot.com
> 
> NH Parents of Blind Children http://www.nhpobc.org/
> NHPOBC on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nhpobc
> 
> 
> On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 8:07 PM, Carlton Anne Cook Walker <
> carltonwalker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Dear friends,
>> 
>> You have likely received information about the upcoming protest that the
>> NFB is holding at Amazon headquarters next month. The reason for this
>> protest is Amazon's new push to place Amazon Kindle Fires, Kindle ebooks,
>> and a Whispercast software in schools throughout the country – and Amazon's
>> continued refusal to make Kindle products and associated technologies
>> accessible to blind students. It is particularly these associated
>> technologies that are problematic: Kindle books are NOT accessible even
>> when used on accessible devices.
>> 
>> A few weeks ago, Mr. Chris Danielsen put out a call for letters. I set
>> forth a portion of his email at the bottom of my message.
>> 
>> I heartily encourage each of you to write a letter asking Mr. Jeff Bezos,
>> the founder and president of Amazon, to make Kindle products, including
>> ebooks, accessible to all, including the blind. Educational programming
>> based upon inaccessible technology will necessarily lead to a separate and
>> unequal education for students with blindness/visual impairment. Battles
>> fought now will help shape the future of technology – will it be accessible
>> or will accessibility become only an option? Please send your letter to
>> Chris, as outlined below, NO LATER than December 1, 2012.
>> 
>> I set forth, below, a portion of my letter to Mr. Bezos. Please do not copy
>> it – we need to send real letters from real people, not form letters. Write
>> from your heart – it will show.
>> 
>> “This matter hit home with me just a few months ago. Prior to the start of
>> sixth grade, my daughter came to me crying. In addition to the typical
>> fears of entering middle school, she was petrified of her school's plan to
>> utilize Kindle technology throughout her classes. She knew that Kindles are
>> inaccessible to her. She knew the Kindle ebooks are inaccessible, even when
>> she attempts to use them on her accessible devices. My little girl saw
>> Kindles as yet another way she would be excluded from her peers. Please
>> make the Kindle and its ebooks accessible so that my daughter may
>> experience the wealth of learning and collaboration opportunities Kindle
>> and its associated products offer.”
>> 
>> 
>>   I thank you for your consideration of this request. By protecting our
>> children's right to accessible educational technology, we protect their
>> right to an education and to a world in which they may be judged by their
>> intelligence and creativity rather than by their ability to see.
>> 
>> 
>>   Carlton Anne Cook Walker
>> 
>> President, National Organization of Blind Children
>> 
>> Attorney at Law
>> 
>> Teacher of Students with Blindness/Visual Impairment
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   From Chris Danielsen's request:
>> 
>> “We are asking each of you, and/or your blind children, to write a letter
>> to Amazon’s founder and chief executive officer, Mr. Jeff Bezos, explaining
>> the harmful impact that the use of this inaccessible technology in the
>> classroom will have on blind students . . . We plan to deliver the hard
>> copy letters directly to Jeff Bezos at an informational protest, so please
>> send the letters to us at National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells
>> Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention Chris Danielsen,
>> Director of Public Relations.  To be included in our delivery to Mr. Bezos,
>> we must receive your letter no later than December 1, 2012.”
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Carlton Anne Cook Walker
>> Attorney at Law
>> Teacher of Students with Blindness/Visual Impairment
>> 105 Creamery Road
>> Boiling Springs, PA  17007
>> Voice: 717-658-9894
>> Twitter: braillemom
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> -- 
> --Penny
> ----------
> My Blog - visionfora.blogspot.com
> 
> NH Parents of Blind Children http://www.nhpobc.org/
> NHPOBC on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nhpobc
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