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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
<br><br>
CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br><br>
Director of Public Relations<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><br>
cdanielsen@nfb.org<br><br>
<br><br>
<div align="center"><h1><b>National Federation of the Blind Condemns<br>
Lack of Access to New Kindle Fire</b></h1></div>
<br><br>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland (September 29, 2011):</b> The National Federation
of the Blind commented today on the release of Amazon’s new Kindle Fire,
which cannot be used by people who are blind.<br><br>
<br><br>
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“Blind Americans have repeatedly asked Amazon to include accessibility
for the blind in its Kindle product line. The feasibility of
including accessibility in similar products has been demonstrated.
The Department of Education and the Department of Justice have made it
clear that Kindle devices cannot be purchased by educational
institutions, libraries, and other entities covered by this country’s
disability laws unless the devices are fully accessible. Despite
all this, Amazon has released a brand new Kindle device, the Kindle Fire,
which cannot be used by people who are blind. Enough! We
condemn this latest action by Amazon and reiterate that we will not
tolerate technological discrimination. The National Federation of
the Blind seeks nothing less than equal access to all technology for
blind people. It is one of the most critical civil rights issues
facing blind Americans in the twenty-first century, and we will do
everything in our power to see that this right is secured.”<br><br>
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<br><br>
About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b>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. <br><br>
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