[Blindtlk] Universities Will Not Deploy Kindle DX as Textbook Reader

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org




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 
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
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/>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 blind­denying blind students 
access to electronic textbooks or the advanced 
features available to read and annotate them­it 
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.”



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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: <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.