[nabs-l] Kindel DX

[Jim Reed]

Carol, 

How do you intend to resolve this issue? Why are you not being more specific as to how you intend to resolve this issue? 

You said, "we are attempting to resolve this issue and need to know of any blind students who will be affected." Why do I get the feeling that what you really ment to say was "We want to file a discrimuination lawsuit, but in order to do so, we need an affected student so that way we can have legal standing to sue."

If I am correct, and I applogize if I am not, I feel you should be perfectly clear as to your intentions. If I am correct, and you are not being completely open about your intentions, then that is a form of deception, and posting such an advertizement looking for students is approaching, if not already passed an ethical boundary. If I am correct, then students have the right to know what they are getting into before they choose to contact you. 

So I ask again, how exactly do you intend to resolve this issue?

Thanks,
Jim Reed
President, Montana Association of Blind Students

Dear Fellow Federationists:
>
>  The National Federation of the Blind would like to know if you are 
> currently studying at any of the following institutions, if you 
> will be studying at these institutions as of the fall of 2009, or 
> if you know an individual who is or will be.  The institutions are 
> Princeton University, Reed College, Case Western Reserve 
> University, Arizona State University, Pace University, and 
> University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.  These six 
> colleges and universities are planning to engage in a pilot project 
> using Amazon's new Kindle DX electronic reading device to 
> distribute electronic textbooks.  This device is not accessible to 
> the blind, nor is it likely to be accessible by the fall of 
> 2009.  The Kindle DX features many advanced reading functions that 
> will be of help to students; however, if blind students do not have 
> access to this technology, they will be at a further competitive 
> disadvantage relative to their sighted peers.  For this reason, we 
> are attempting to resolve this issue and need to know of any blind 
> students who will be affected.
>
>In a similar matter, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
>"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Northwest Missouri 
>State University plans to roll out a different, but also 
>inaccessible, electronic textbook system for all of its students in 
>the fall of 2009.  We would appreciate any information about any 
>blind students studying at this institution.
>
>If you are an affected student or know of one, please contact Chris 
>Danielsen at the National Federation of the Blind headquarters in 
>Baltimore.  You can call Chris at (410) 659-9314, extension 2330, or 
>e-mail him at <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org.
>
>Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
>
>
>Carol Castellano, President
>National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>973-377-0976
>carol_castellano at verizon.net
>www.nfb.org/nopbc
>

Carol Castellano, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.nfb.org/nopbc  


"From compromise and things half done, 
Keep me with stern and stubborn pride,
And when at last the fight is won, 
... Keep me still unsatisfied." --Louis Untermeyer