[Nfbwv-talk] Some good news about Kindle.

[Smyth, Charlene R]

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 Comments on Amazon Kindle App

 Baltimore, Maryland (May 1, 2013): The National Federation of the Blind
<http://www.nfb.org>  (NFB), the nation's leading advocate for access to
technology and education for the blind, commented today on Amazon's
incorporation of new accessibility features into its application for the
iPhone and other devices using Apple's iOS operating system.

Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind
<http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice> , said: "We are pleased that Amazon
has taken advantage of the inherent accessibility of Apple products and
Apple's clear guidelines for creating accessible applications by finally
releasing a version of its Kindle app that allows blind readers to
access Kindle content on Apple devices. Continued improvement of this
app is needed, however, in order to make it appropriate for use in
educational settings, and Amazon must also make its Kindle devices fully
accessible.  Amazon should also make its future software, devices, and
content available to the blind when these products are released to the
general public rather than implementing accessibility at an unspecified
later time.  Today's app release is a significant step on the journey to
full access to Kindle content by the blind, but that journey is not
over, and the National Federation of the Blind will not rest until its
completion."

The National Federation of the Blind has advocated for full access to
Kindle devices and Kindle e-books since Amazon introduced the Kindle.
Most recently, NFB members staged an informational protest in front of
Amazon's Seattle headquarters <https://nfb.org/kindle-books#Protest>  to
explain why Kindle e-books should not be used in schools because they do
not provide equal access to all of the same information and features by
both blind and sighted students.  For more information on this issue,
please visit http://www.nfb.org/kindle-books.

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About the National Federation of the Blind


The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and
most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in
the United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil
rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative
education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and
those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become
independent and successful.  We need your support.  To make a donation,
please go to www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/> .