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

Sat Nov 1 03:47:01 UTC 2008

Why? If the books are being purchased at fair market prices, should it
matter what format they're purchased in?  

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. N6YR
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 5:59 PM
To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have
Positive Results for the Blind

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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