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</font><h1><b>Royal National Institute of Blind People Consulted by
Amazon in Kindle HDX Development</b></h1><font size=4><br><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=4>By
<a href="http://goodereader.com/blog/author/michael-kozlowski">Michael
Kozlowski</a> <br>
<br>
Amazon does not have the most glorious track record when it comes to
making their devices accessible to people with vision problems. The
company used to include a headphone jack in their prior Kindle models and
decided to discontinue it due to competitive nature of the North American
market. This has resulted in rampant protests by the
<a href="http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/national-federation-of-the-blind-marches-on-amazon-headquarters">
National Federation of the Blind.</a> Amazon at least is starting to take
the issue of greater accessibility seriously by consulting with the Royal
National Institute of Blind People in the development of the new line of
HDX tablets. <br>
<br>
The new accessible devices mean that blind and partially sighted people
will be able read the full range of Kindle books, newspapers and journals
in a variety of ways. The built-in screen reader allows readers to listen
to titles whilst the magnification function enlarges the screen view. The
device can also be used with an electronic braille display and the audio
book player also supports accessibility. <br>
<br>
The device offers access to TV and film content from Love Film through
the device’s improved media player, meaning that a blind user can enjoy
the tablet’s full range of features independently. <br>
<br>
RNIB firmly believes that blind and partially sighted people should have
access to the same choice of books as sighted people and its work
encompasses both the digital and traditional worlds of publishing.
Although not everyone will benefit from these new devices, increasing
numbers of blind and partially sighted people are using new technology
and by working collaboratively with the publishing and technology
industry, the charity wants to make sure accessibility is at the fore of
all new developments. <br>
<br>
Blind reader Gary said “I feel like I have been set free in a sweet shop!
The whole of the Kindle catalogue is now available to me on a Kindle
device not only in synthetic speech but in braille using my electronic
braille display as well”.<br>
Some of the new features in the HDX line of tablets include Voice Guide
technology will allow menu navigation to be read aloud to the user and
Voice Guide Navigation will tell users what they click on. For example,
if you are clicking on an ebook, it will tell you what book it is and
then read the book to you when you open it.<br>
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<a href="http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/royal-national-institute-of-blind-people-consulted-by-amazon-in-kindle-hdx-development">
http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/royal-national-institute-of-blind-people-consulted-by-amazon-in-kindle-hdx-development</a>
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<br>
Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State<br>
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!<br><br>
Cheryl Echevarria, Owner<br>
<a href="http://www.echevarriatravel.com">www.echevarriatravel.com</a><br>
631-456-5394<br>
<a href="mailto:reservations@echevarriatravel.com">
reservations@echevarriatravel.com</a><br>
<br>
Your old car keys can be the keys to literacy for a blind child.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/vehicledonations">
www.nfb.org/vehicledonations</a> or call 855-659-9314.<br>
<br>
Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith.
<a href="http://www.braillesmith.com">www.braillesmith.com</a> for all
her braille needs. Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of
Alabama</blockquote></body>
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