Campuses agree to stop using Kindle DX until functional for the blind
Summary: Three universities testing the Amazon Kindle DX in the classroom have agreed to stop using e-book readers until they are fully functional for blind students.
In a deal stuck with the U.S. Justice Department, three universities testing the Amazon Kindle DX in the classroom have agreed to stop using e-book readers until they are fully functional for blind students.
The original pilot program, announced at the Kindle DX launch event last May and since criticized by some students as an ineffective academic tool, was made with Arizona State, Princeton, Case Western and Pace universities and Reed College.
Legal settlements were made with Pace, Case Western Reserve and Reed. A similar deal was struck with Arizona State University two days ago.
Two organizations representing the visually impaired -- the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind -- had sued after the program was first announced, citing a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Kindle used in the pilot program has a text-to-speech function, but the device's menu does not -- meaning it's not possible for blind students to navigate electronic textbooks.
The agreement takes effect once the upcoming spring semester ends.
The agreement also notably covers other rival e-book readers, including Sony's Reader family and the Barnes & Noble Nook, among others.
"Advancing technology is systematically changing the way universities approach education, but we must be sure that emerging technologies offer individuals with disabilities the same opportunities as other students," Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez said in prepared remarks. "These agreements underscore the importance of full and equal educational opportunities for everyone."
Editor's Note: The original headline, "Campuses ordered to stop using Kindle DX until functional for the blind," was changed to more accurately reflect the terms of the settlement.
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Talkback
Lacking a reasonable accomodation, it's the right decision
Ridiclous
No, your logic is flawed...
Why should sighted people be deprived of the use of the Kindle until something is available for those who are blind? This makes no sense, but I'm sure it's perfectly logical if you're a lawyer.
On a related note, didn't the Kindle at one time have a text-to-speech capability that had to be disabled because publishers felt that it was going to impact their sales of audio books? How can anyone win in this kind of environment? Let the campuses use the Kindle, and make available the text-to-speech function that it originally had. Sheesh!
Text to Speech
Do students also have to stop using electronic notepads and touchscreen computers until someone figures out how they can accomodate the blind?
Braille texts still exist - that other students have their texts on a Kindle is not an infringement of others rights
Text to Brail readers? Headphones?
an earphone would solve that issue with the text to speech.
Braille and other existing tools for the blind...
To paraphrase a cartoon I recently read, the courtroom in which this lawsuit was heard obvious had a sign on a pole outside of each of its doors which read "in order to enter this courtroom you must be as dumb as this post."
Agreed...
Quite aside from whether the e-books are effective learning tools, this seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face - text-to-speech and speech recognition is a real possibility with ebooks, which would seem to be a reason for blind organizations to applaud their adoption, not block it.
And this MUST be why
>wonders if we will be forced to stop driving cars because they are not accessible to blind people to drive.
Afterall, they are not given the same opportunities.<
I agree as well
Ban chaulkboards, hell ban lights as well! S*T*U*P*I*D
Glad to know schools are now teaching STUPIDITY!
Any response from Amazon?
They Have Already "not responded"
Keys
Was Kindle use required?
WTH?
My bottom line: leave the alternatives open; don't prohibit a seeing student from using a Kindle because others cannot; but don't require it (idiotic to begin with, in a "free" country).
I absolutelly agree.
Should we discontinue the use of penicillin because I am (as some others are) alergic to it?
No, they continue to use that where it is effective on those that are not alergic, while I and others are supplied with an alternative.
So why is that such a hard concept for many to grasp here? Give those that can use the Kindle a Kindle, those that can not, an alternative.
What do they do in
"leave the alternatives open"
No wonder American students are falling behind.
"leave the alternatives open...kinda"
If I can see and you cannot, what difference does it make to you whether I use my sight to read a printed page in a "Standard Book" or whether I use my sight to read an electronic page in a Kindle?
On the other hand, as a sighted person, I must demand that a person using any kind of text to speech technology create only that amount of ambient noise that can be heard by others as that made by a sighted person reading a book...since this article is about college student use, I assume that a college student does not read out loud unless invited to do so by others in his vicinity.
RE: Campuses ordered to stop using Kindle DX until functional for the blind
Blind people can't read regular books either, but we still allow (and require) students to use them, and blind students must use special braille copies (if available). This situation doesn't change just because you replace regular books with an e-reader.
I suppose you can buy yourself a study Kindle & kick those cripples' asses.
And I hear the faculty has some used machines that they may be selling cheap...