[nabs-l] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Urges Maryland Libraries to Purchase Accessible E-readers

[chris nusbaum]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: National Federation of the Blind <jfreeh at nfb.org>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:15:46 -0400
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Urges Maryland Libraries to
Purchase Accessible E-readers
To: dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com


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 <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>


National Federation of the Blind
Urges Maryland Libraries
to Purchase Accessible E-readers


Baltimore, Maryland (August 24, 2011): The National Federation of the
Blind, the nation's leading advocate for accessible technology, sent
letters today to the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Howard County
Library System urging these libraries to purchase e-book readers that
can be used by the blind.  The libraries are currently lending Barnes &
Noble's NOOK device to patrons, but this device-unlike some other e-book
readers and platforms-cannot be used by the blind or others who cannot
read print.  E-readers can be made accessible through text-to-speech
technology and/or the ability to output content to external Braille
displays, but the NOOK does not have any of these features.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: "E-books and the devices with which to read them present a
historic opportunity for blind readers to have access to the same books
at the same time as sighted readers, but only if publishers and
manufacturers design their products in a way that allows access by blind
and print-disabled readers.  It is disturbing that institutions
committed to free access to information for everyone would purchase
e-readers that cannot be used by all of their patrons when technology
that would serve everyone, including those who are blind or
print-disabled, is readily available.  We hope that our Maryland
libraries will honor their legal and moral obligation to provide equal
access to their blind patrons and send a clear message to publishers and
technology vendors that access to information and literature is critical
for all Americans, not just those who can read print."


###


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.



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-- 
Chris Nusbaum

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real
problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that exists. If
a blind person has the proper training and opportunity, blindness can
be reduced to a mere physical nuissence." -- Kenneth Jernigan

Visit the I C.A.N. Foundation online at: www.icanfoundation.info for
information on our foundation and how it helps blind and visually
impaired children in MD say "I can!"