[Njabs-talk] National Federation of the Blind Condemns Lack of Access to New Kindle Fire

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

National Federation of the Blind Condemns
Lack of Access to New Kindle Fire


Baltimore, Maryland (September 29, 2011): 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.



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."