Posted on 08/28/2010 10:13:39 PM PDT by John Semmens
University efforts to test Amazon’s electronic readers—Kindles—as substitutes for standard textbooks has run into trouble with the Obama Administration. The idea behind using Kindles is to save money by supplanting bulky paper-based books with lighter and smaller electronic devices. For example, one small hand-held Kindle could hold all the books needed for a four-year degree.
Despite the seemingly obvious benefits, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is threatening legal action against any school that might be tempted to try the devices. Thomas Perez, head of the Civil Rights Division, warns that the devices violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Even though uses of the devices are voluntary and no one unable to use the device would be made any worse off than they were under the old system, allowing some to save money and avoid the inconvenience of lugging around heavy texts cannot be permitted,” Perez declared. “Progress that isn’t uniform across all demographics is discriminatory. Until all can take the same step into the future, no one must be allowed to inch ahead.”
Perez characterized the need to prevent Kindles “one of the easy calls. We’re still struggling with other inequalities that plague our educational system. Many students are held back by deficiencies in energy or intelligence. Their need and desire for a degree is just as real as their more gifted peers, but their abilities may not be up to it. We’ve got to level this playing field.”
One idea gaining some traction is a “handicapping” system along the lines used in golf, bowling and horse racing. “If we can figure out how much of an extra burden to put on those with more ability it would give everyone a fair chance of winning a college degree,” Perez said. “It would be a way of equalizing the pursuit of happiness promised in the Declaration of Independence.”
read more...
http://azconserv1.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/fed-may-introduce-negative-interest-rates/
Out “satire” this:
Ground Zero Muslim center may get public financing
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2579464/posts
Tidily? I don’t know about tidily. how about “messy”.
I guess two people will have to use the Kindle. One to turn it on and read it and the blind person to listen.
This happened a few months ago!!!!!
Good opportunity for out-of-work handicapped bazooka fire teams!
LOL! I can see it now: Blind Bazooka teams on skate boards. Look out! Zer0’s new Special Forces.
Transgender RumpRangers with unloaded rifles riding Segways.
My work an schooling involves JANE’s reference books which are very expensive. I am issued both the PDF an paper versions of the books. Both have their place an work equally well in readers, laptops, flash drives etc.
My order is in for the new kindle.
Embrace but control the technology in your lives is my rule.
The saddest part of this all is that with the federal government, and especially with 0, the ‘truth’ has become so twisted, that satire such as this is believable.
Kindles—as substitutes for standard textbooks. Just great now when you ask for a book they ask paper or electric.
Help me out here. It's early, and I haven't been feeling well, but I'm not getting where this violates the ADA.
What type of disability will it effect, and how?
As a paraplegic, I personally don't see Kindle as a problem, but I must be missing something.
Never mind. It’s satire.
I’m going back to bed.
Mygosh, the person who said this with regard for textbooks on kindle is dumber than a rock. Kindles are a choice that not everyone makes for regular reading and how is a choice discrimination? Besides that, for some disabilities, carrying around those heavy textbooks is what's impossible.
“One idea gaining some traction is a “handicapping” system along the lines used in golf, bowling and horse racing. “If we can figure out how much of an extra burden to put on those with more ability it would give everyone a fair chance of winning a college degree,” Perez said. “It would be a way of equalizing the pursuit of happiness promised in the Declaration of Independence.”
I read in a recent post that the Saudi courts had asked a hospital about severing the spinal cord of someone accused of causing paralysis in another man. It’s an attempt to create a just eye-for-an-eye system. I’d say that if there is one person on campus in a wheelchair that all students need to undergo an operation to sever their spinal cords so that equality can be achieved. This is certainly a way of “equalizing the pursuit of happiness promised in the Declaration of Independence.”
Uhm....uh...do I need to add the sarcasm tag or not?
I’m reading this on my Kindle. I am so screwed . . .
I am speechless too.
I psted something on this last week.
Beyond absurd.
Not at all. Look it up. Its very real.
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