[Nfb-science] Fwd: Amazon press release Concerning Accessibility of Web Site

[David Andrews]

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>Amazon.com Accessibility to be Completed June 30, 2008
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>The National Federation of the Blind and online retailer Amazon, 
>Inc., have announced that work to make Amazon.com fully accessible 
>to blind computer users is to be completed by June 30, 2008.  In 
>March of 2007, Amazon entered into a technology development 
>agreement with the National Federation of the Blind pursuant to 
>which Amazon was to attempt to make Amazon.com fully accessible by 
>December 31, 2007.  Because of the complexity of the task, it was 
>recognized that this was an ambitious goal and that problems might 
>be encountered; accordingly, the agreement provided that Amazon 
>could have a six-month extension, if necessary, to complete work on 
>making its Web site fully accessible to blind computer 
>users.  Amazon's Web site has improved; nonetheless, Amazon 
>recognizes that it is not yet fully accessible.  Amazon has 
>indicated that it will complete the task within the extended period.
>
>Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "Full and equal access to the Internet is critical in order 
>for the blind to participate fully in today's society.  While 
>Amazon.com is not yet fully accessible, we are pleased with the 
>progress that has been made and we believe that the company remains 
>committed to making the site fully accessible.  We will continue to 
>work with Amazon.com to ensure that the blind can shop for books, 
>music, movies, and the myriad other products available at this 
>leading online retailer with the same ease and convenience as all 
>other shoppers."
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David Andrews and white cane Harry.