[LM_NET] DOJ and DOE rule against eReader text books

[Josephine Dervan <dervan@OPTONLINE.NET>]

Feds: Colleges must have blind-friendly gadgets
By 
DORIE TURNER, Associated Press Writer 
The AP(6/30, Turner) reports that ED and DOJ "sent a letter to college and 
university presidents Tuesday instructing them to find alternatives" to Kindles and 
other electronic book readers for blind students if the are used in classrooms. 
Asst. Sec. for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali said in the letter, "It is unacceptable 
for universities to use emerging technology without insisting that this technology 
be accessible to all students." When asked by the AP, Asst. Sec. Ali added, "The 
key here is fully accessible, not in-part accessible. Blind users cannot navigate 
the menu. They couldn't fast forward or even know which book they were reading." 
Four universities have shelved e-readers until they are fully accessible. Only one 
school district in Clearwater, FL has expressed interest in using e-readers in the 
classroom. Ali said ED "is monitoring that district to be sure they meet federal 
requirements," because the policy also applies to K-12 school, too.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100629/ap_on_hi_te/us_blind_students_kindle_5
 
Josephine Dervan, MLS -Adjunct Instructor 
School of Communication and Information 
Rutgers University 
dervan at optonline.net 


He who has a library and a garden, wants for nothing- Cicero 

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