[stylist] Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for the Blind

Sat Nov 1 00:58:42 UTC 2008

if you've ever done a search, and hits say "google books" that's what 
this is about, and I don't think textbooks are much in that unless 
they are the sort that doesn't change much.

when I look at them now, it says there's a graphic image of the page, 
and I can't read the text.  this agreement means that that text will 
become accessible to read!  I'm guessing there'll have to be some 
certification/password process to make sure only print disabled 
people use it.

happy halloween.
jc

Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS

At 05:39 PM 10/31/2008, you wrote:
>Man, this is really something to cheer about. Does anyone know if this
>includes college textbooks as well?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Freeh,Jessica (by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)
>Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 4:29 PM
>To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [stylist] Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have
>Positive Results for the Blind
>
>            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
>CONTACT:
>Chris Danielsen
>
>Public Relations Specialist
>
>National Federation of the Blind
>
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>(410) 262-1281 (cell)
>
>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>
>
>Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for
>the Blind
>
>
>
>
>
>Terms of Proposed Settlement Agreement
>Will Revolutionize Blind People's Access to Books
>
>Baltimore, Maryland (October 31, 2008): The National Federation of the
>Blind, the nation's leading advocate for access to information by the blind,
>announced today that the recent settlement between Google and authors and
>publishers over the Google Books project, if approved by the courts, will
>have a profound and positive impact on the ability of blind people to access
>the printed word.  The terms of the settlement that was reached on October
>28, among Google, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American
>Publishers, on behalf of a broad class of authors and publishers, allow
>Google to provide the material it offers users "in a manner that
>accommodates users with print disabilities so that such users have a
>substantially similar user experience as users without print disabilities."
>A user with a print disability under the agreement is one who is "unable to
>read or use standard printed material due to blindness, visual disability,
>physical limitations, organic dysfunction, or dyslexia."  Blind people, like
>other members of the public, will be able to search the texts of books in
>the Google Books database online; purchase some books in an accessible
>format; or access accessible books at libraries and other entities that have
>an institutional subscription to the Google Books database.  Once the court
>approves the settlement, Google will work to launch these services as
>quickly as possible.
>
>
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
>said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the greatest
>challenges faced by the blind.  The agreement between Google and authors and
>publishers will revolutionize access to books for blind Americans.
>
>
>
>Blind people will be able to search for books through the Google Books
>interface and purchase, borrow, or read at a public library any of the books
>that are available to the general public in a format that is compatible with
>text enlargement software, text-to-speech screen access software, and
>refreshable Braille devices.  With 7 million books already available in the
>Google Books collection and many more to come, this agreement means that
>blind people will have more access to print books than we have ever had in
>human history.  The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of
>education, information, and entertainment literally at our fingertips.  The
>National Federation of the Blind commends the parties to this agreement for
>their commitment to full and equal access to information by the blind."
>
>
>
>"Among the most monumental aspects of the settlement agreement," said Jack
>Bernard, assistant general counsel at the University of Michigan, "are the
>terms that enable Google and libraries to make works accessible to people
>who have print disabilities.  This unprecedented opportunity to access the
>printed word will make it possible for blind people to engage independently
>with our rich written culture.  Moreover, it is refreshing to find
>accessibility for people with disabilities explicitly included upfront,
>rather than begrudgingly added as an afterthought."
>
>
>
>   "One of the great promises of the settlement agreement is improving access
>to books for the blind and for those with print disabilities,"
>said Dan Clancy, engineering director for Google Book Search.  "Google is
>committed to extending all of the services available under the agreement to
>the blind and print disability community, making it easier to access these
>books through screen enlargement, reader, and Braille display technologies."
>
>
>
>###
>
>
>
>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.  Please
>visit our Web site: <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
>
>
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