[nabs-l] National Federation of the Blind Commends Parties to Google Settlement

[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)

<mailto:Cdanielsen at nfb.org>Cdanielsen at nfb.org


National Federation of the Blind Commends
  Parties to Google Settlement


Terms of Amended Settlement Agreement
Will Revolutionize Blind People's Access to Books

Baltimore, Maryland (November 17, 2009): The National Federation of 
the Blind today commended Google, the Association of American 
Publishers, and the Authors Guild for retaining important provisions 
in the amended settlement relating to the Google Books project that 
will allow people who are blind or have other print disabilities to 
access the books that Google makes available to the public. The 
amended settlement between Google and authors and publishers 
regarding the Google Books project, if approved by the courts, will 
have a profound and positive impact on the ability of blind people to 
access the printed word.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the 
greatest challenges faced by the blind.  The agreement between Google 
and authors and publishers will revolutionize access to books for 
blind Americans.  With millions of books expected to be available 
through Google Books, this agreement means that blind people will 
have more access to print books than we have ever had in human 
history.  The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of 
education, information, and entertainment literally at our 
fingertips.  The National Federation of the Blind commends the 
parties to this agreement for their commitment to full and equal 
access to information by the blind."

"The Google Books project is designed to facilitate broad access to 
the world's written knowledge," said Allan R. Adler, vice president 
for legal and government affairs of the Association of American 
Publishers (AAP).  "It is only fitting that the settlement includes 
provisions that will make these materials available to the blind and 
others who cannot read print.  These provisions certainly reflect the 
values of the AAP, and we are pleased that this settlement will mean 
greater availability of books to approximately 30 million Americans 
who have traditionally experienced barriers to accessing the printed word."

The terms of the amended settlement, like the settlement agreement 
proposed last year, allow Google to provide the material it offers 
users "in a manner that accommodates users with print disabilities so 
that such users have a substantially similar user experience as users 
without print disabilities."  A user with a print disability under 
the agreement is one who is "unable to read or use standard printed 
material due to blindness, visual disability, physical limitations, 
organic dysfunction, or dyslexia."  Blind people, like other members 
of the public, will be able to search the texts of books in the 
Google Books database online, purchase some books in an accessible 
format, or access accessible books at libraries and other entities 
that have an institutional subscription to the Google Books 
database.  Once the court approves the settlement, Google will work 
to launch these services as quickly as possible.



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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.