[nfbmi-talk] FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint Against Sacramento Public Library

Sat Sep 1 02:02:02 UTC 2012

From: nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Freeh, Jessica
(by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 6:35 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Settles
Complaint Against Sacramento Public Library

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

National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint 
Against Sacramento Public Library

Library Will Deploy Accessible E-readers to Blind and Print-disabled Patrons

Baltimore, Maryland (August 30, 2012): The National Federation of the Blind
<http://www.nfb.org>  (NFB), the nation's leading advocate for access to
information by the blind and other people with print disabilities, announced
today that a complaint filed by the NFB with the United States Department of
Justice, Office of Civil Rights, against the Sacramento Public Library
Authority has been resolved.  The NFB filed the complaint last fall because
the library was lending NOOK e-readers preloaded with e-books to its
patrons.  Unlike some other e-reading devices, the NOOK, which is
manufactured and sold by Barnes & Noble, cannot be used by blind and
print-disabled readers
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CNQCrowbUI&list=UU2VqDaqQP_m2JeznJm2yz0w&in
dex=3&feature=plcp>  because it does not have text-to-speech capability or
the ability to send content to a Braille display.  

The goal of the agreement is "to provide a library e-reader circulation
program where library patrons, with and without vision disabilities, are
able to access and use the same technology to the maximum extent possible."
Under the agreement, the library will "acquire only technology that does not
exclude persons who are blind or others" who need accessibility features
such as text-to-speech or Braille output and the ability to access the
device's menus and controls independently.  The library's commitment is also
in line with a resolution passed in 2009 by the American Library Association
entitled Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources, which urged "all
libraries purchasing, procuring, using, maintaining and contracting for
electronic resources and services" to "require vendors to guarantee that
products and services comply with Section 508 regulations, Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, or other applicable accessibility standards
and guidelines."

Dr. Marc Maurer <http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio> , President of the
National Federation of the Blind <http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice> , said:
"We are pleased that the Sacramento Public Library Authority is showing
leadership by ensuring that the e-books that it lends will be accessible to
all of its patrons, including those who are blind or have print
disabilities.  E-books represent an opportunity for the blind to have access
to the same books at the same time as our sighted friends, family, and
colleagues, but sadly most e-book vendors have not designed their technology
so that it can be used by the blind, despite the fact that it is not
difficult or costly to do so.  Libraries, schools, and other institutions
have a legal and moral obligation to make sure that the content they deploy
is accessible to the blind and print-disabled.  If they meet these
obligations by demanding accessibility from their e-book vendors, then
accessibility will happen."

###

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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