[Blindtlk] Kindle Reader in the News Again.

[Steve Jacobson]

Hi,

I think we need to keep some things in perspective here, but let me first note that these are just my opinions.  It is only a matter of time before we move 
toward devices like the Kindle for textbooks in schools.  However, I see our role as an organization as being different here than the role we play in the Blind 
Driver Challengt.  

First, in the case of the Blind Driver Challenge, we are trying to stimulate new research to help us find additional ways of getting information.  Driving is just 
one place where such information could be applied.  There is no current method that would allow us to drive, and we are not going to see a well defined 
method that will make this possible for a while.  Conceiveably we may never drive the car of today, but then again it could happen at some point down the 
road if you excuse the pun.  However, some of the technologies may have other uses much sooner.  For one thing, if we move toward single occupancy 
mass transit vehicles as some advocate, some of the technologies that we are using might prevent us from being locked out of using such vehicles in the 
future.

So what about the Kindle?  Unlike driving, there are accepted ways of making computer devices accessible to us.  There is no research needed to find a 
way to make the Kindle accessible, the company simply has to be made to feel it is worth it.  Apple has shown that there are ways we can use touch 
screens, and there has been work done by Code Factory in Mobile Speak on cellphones and Nuance has also done some along these lines in the TALKS 
products.  While it would be unfair to say that Kindle intentionally did not make their products accessible in the beginning, it is fair to say that there is no 
great mystery as to methods of making their product accessible.  If they are going to become heavily involved in producing educational materials, they are 
going to have to make their product accessible.  They have taken some steps toward this already.  Our job as an organization is not to spend time looking 
for solutions that already exist, but rather to make sure that they understand that we are not going to be left out and that at least in some cases, the law is on 
our side.  I think it is pretty clear that anyone who wants to provide electronic books to the classroom will need to make them accessible, although there will 
still be some rough edges to this process.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:28:24 -0600, Mary Mc Gee wrote:

>Dear Fellow Federationists;

>            I heard a news story Saturday evening that a high school in
>Florida is replacing standard text books with Kindle Readers.  So far,
>students may choose to keep using regular books, but the hope is that
>eventually the entire school will be on Kindles.  The story said that the
>majority of students like the electronic books because they don't have to
>carry around the regular ones.  The commentator stated that someday all
>schools in the nation will probably be using Kindles.  

>            As I understand there are colleges that are using Kindles
>exclusively and I believe the NFB has a lawsuit against one of them.  Is
>this true?  

>            In light of the technological advances, which the Blind Driver
>Challenge highlighted, I would like to know what the NFB's Techies are doing
>to make the Kindle Reader accessible.  

>            I also checked out the Barnes & Noble reader called The Nook
>when I was at one of their stores to buy a regular book.  Since I have some
>vision, I wanted to find out if I could use The Nook.  I cannot.  It's not
>accessible either.  

>            Is any work being done in this area on the national level?  

>            I fear the electronic reader-and the touch screen-will be
>foisted on the American public before we know it and I want some assurance
>that we will be able to use it.  So, if anyone knows, please advise.

>Sincerely,

>Mary L. McGee

> 

> 

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