Posted on 01/14/2010 9:11:32 AM PST by rellimpank
Arizona State University has made a deal with the Justice Department to stop using popular electronic readers like the Kindle until they are made functional for the blind.
ASU is one of three universities participating in a pilot program that gave Kindles to students to see how they would work -- as opposed to actual books -- in the classroom.
The program started in May of 2009 and by June two different groups representing the blind got all butt-hurt and filed a lawsuit claiming that by using the devices, the universities were violating the Americans With Disabilities Act because they weren't easy for the blind to use.
Funny thing is that if the universities just kept the program a little hush-hush, the blind probably never would have known they were doing it. It's not like they can see students using Kindles.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com ...
Why don't they ban issuing licenses to sighted drivers until the roads are modified to accomodate blind drivers?
On the braille keypads at drive through ATMs, I believe that's done simply because they use the same keypads for the drive through and walk up ATMs. I don't know of any fast food restaurants that have a braille menu at the drive through. According to some articles I've read, very few blind people can read braille anymore.
Most likely, this lawsuit is being filed to force the manufacturer to make it an audible reading device where the user can plug in ear phones and have the book read to him or her.
I always found it odd that the signs in the DMV have braille on them. The first time I went to one (to get my learner’s permit) I noticed it next to the door for the test. I guess they must get a lot of blind people trying to get their driver’s license...
The Microsoft Reader has a nice function that actually reads the text to you. It’s not perfect, but it would offer the blind a nice alternative to having someone else read the information to them.
have to next ban radio as the deaf can’t hear it.
So the Kindle does have the reading capability, reading the text out loud to the user? If so, what the heck is the basis for this complaint?
What a crock.
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 a statement. "These agreements underscore the importance of full and equal educational opportunities for everyone."
Of course the article cleverly only gives the name of the local lackey and not the state's AG. Who are THE PEOPLE who made the ruling? Who is the AG, who was the STUPID, IDIOTIC, MORONIC JUDGE that agreed with this absurdity? They are fully insulated here, unfortunately.
I guess they must get a lot of blind people trying to get their drivers license...
They do and most live in Florida.
Granted, I graduated from BU in ‘80, but while I was in school the “gave” me nothing at all. All books were purchased with real cash money, and engineering texts weren’t cheap...
Besides, since they can’t actually read the screens, all they’d have to do is to show them how to use the ON/OFF button, then they’d be “equal” to everybody else.
I just received one as a gift and I’m pretty sure you can down-load books with sound. Depends on the book. Mine has a headphone pport.
This is absolutely absurd. Demanding that a DEVICE, as opposed to a building, be handicapped-accessible is ludicrous.
Do they demand the same of vehicles? ...chalk boards? ...projectors?
Insane.
This ruling must have been pushed by those deaf people who are against surgery to restore some hearing to deaf kids. I can’t for the life of me understand why some people wouldn’t want the best quality of life for others.
Easy solution. Stop taking fed $$.
Tell the feds to shove their ideas right up their Obamas.
The loosing party in these Disability cases has to pay the attorney fees.
This is about lawyer fees.
paging the Handicapper General. . .
paging the Handicapper General. . .
Do not try to make sense out of liberalism and the scumbag Democrats.
Your head will explode.
it is done by those who want to hold to the concept that sign language culture is just another language like german, english, italian or spanish.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.