[nfb-talk] Audible.com to exclude Victor Reader Stream

[David Andrews]

I would agree that Audible is probably relatively independent.  I 
also don't think that Amazon has made a decision to be "blind 
unfriendly."  They just have a raft of competing priorities -- and 
because of the small number of blind persons, we rank low on the list.

It can get more complicated -- loosing the large Department of State 
contract may have gotten their attention, but we will never know.

Sometimes corporations dig in their heels, like Target, and who knows 
why.  However, for whatever reason, they, Target are now working hard 
on accessibility.  And ... most people don't have the technical 
awareness, or the experience of working for a large complex 
multinational corporation to know how complicated it all can 
be.  Their web sites are complex and dynamic in ways that those of us 
with a little basic knowledge of html, can't begin to understand.

Dave

At 11:56 AM 2/3/2013, you wrote:
>Dave, in large  part, I cannot and do not quarrel with what you say 
>here.  Nevertheless, it does seem to me that, with Amazon not being 
>willing to listen to the NFB when we ask for accessibility to the 
>dKendal and better access to other stuff from Amazon, well, seems to 
>me they are looking for a fight.  Yes, audible.com and Amazon are 
>linked so far as password access may be concerned, but, it's my 
>belief that Audible still retains independent control over that 
>which was once theirs.  I think that, until we receive hard evidence 
>that Amazon is telling Audible not to be at all blind friendly, we 
>ought perhaps to assume that they will.  Fair enough?
>
>
>Sent from my mac
>Sincerely,
>The Constantly Barefooted Ray
>Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!
>
>On Feb 3, 2013, at 11:44 AM, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
>
> > Folks, unlike what some people want you to believe, 
> Amazon/Audible have not singled out the blind.  They have a policy 
> of only supporting Apple iOS and Android apps, and have stopped 
> supporting other new devices including many MP3 players that 
> sighted persons use.  Further, it would appear that since they now 
> support the Stream -- that they will support the new Stream.
> >
> > I don't agree with everything that amazon does -- they are not 
> very blind friendly -- but let's be fair.  We can't expect 
> cooperation and work on their part if we shoot them down for 
> something that applies to everybody.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 07:42 PM 2/2/2013, you wrote:
> >> Is begging to have someone take them to court.
> >>
> >> Loren
> >>
> >> Let's hope so Michael.  Is amazon asking to have a fight?  It seems that
> >> their reluctance and outright refusal to let the kindle be accessible,
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Michael D.
> >> Barber
> >> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 3:44 PM
> >> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Audible.com to exclude Victor Reader Stream
> >>
> >> I just heard from someone yesterday who received an e-mail from 
> Audible.com
> >> that they are indeed working to restore this.
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim
> >> Portillo
> >> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 3:15 PM
> >> To: mike at michaelhingson.com; 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Audible.com to exclude Victor Reader Stream
> >>
> >> I saw something on Twitter that said otherwise.  I read that they were
> >> working on making their books accessible and useable by new Victor Stream
> >> users.
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
> >> Hingson
> >> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 12:43 PM
> >> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'; 'Research and Development Committee
> >> (appointed)'
> >> Subject: [nfb-talk] Audible.com to exclude Victor Reader Stream
> >>
> >> As you may know, Audible.com has chosen to exclude devices used 
> by the blind
> >> like the Book Port Desktop and the new  Victor ReaderStream from using
> >> Audible. Below please find some important information which includes an
> >> email address to write to about this unfortunate situation.
> >>
> >> Bob Acosta
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Hi everyone,
> >>
> >> I wanted to provide everyone with an email address to send a 
> complaint email
> >> to Audible about their decision to no longer provide access to audible
> >> content to the new Victor reader Stream. I telephoned Audible this morning
> >> and was advised that the more complaints received by Audible, 
> the better the
> >> hope is that the policy will change. The email is greatideas at audible.com
> >> Yes, I confirmed the address several times and this is the address used by
> >> the department which deals with accessibility features.
> >>
> >> I have no proof of this, but I suspect that this is the first step in the
> >> process of limiting audible access to devices used exclusively by the
> >> visually impaired community such as the Stream, the Bookport and 
> others. Not
> >> everyone has access to or can afford an Iphone and I, for one, 
> am distressed
> >> at Audible's business decision here.
> >>
> >> Please consider sending an email to audible asking them to be more
> >> accessible and continuing access to the stream, the bookport and other
> >> devices for the visually impaired community. If we all make some effort,
> >> maybe we can work together to improve access for everyone who is visually
> >> impaired.
> >> I have confirmed this from several sources.  Audible, or should we say
> >> Amazon who owns Audible.com, is limiting the devices it will support for
> >> playing Audible books.  Devices such as the new Victor Reader Stream and
> >> other systems we use to read these books are excluded from supported
> >> devices.  This is deplorable for a variety of reasons.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I urge everyone to write Audible opposing its position and requesting that
> >> Audible support book readers developed for use by blind persons.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Best,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Michael Hingson
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Michelle
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Robert Acosta, President
> >> Helping Hands for the Blind
> >> Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
> >> Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers
> >> to us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at
> >> the above address.