[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint Against Sacramento Public Library

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen,
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org


National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint
Against Sacramento Public Library




Library Will Deploy Accessible E-readers to Blind and Print-disabled Patrons


Baltimore, Maryland (August 30, 2012): <http://www.nfb.org>The 
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation's leading advocate 
for access to information by the blind and other people with print 
disabilities, announced today that a complaint filed by the NFB with 
the United States Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, 
against the Sacramento Public Library Authority has been 
resolved.  The NFB filed the complaint last fall because the library 
was lending NOOK e-readers preloaded with e-books to its 
patrons.  Unlike some other e-reading devices, the NOOK, which is 
manufactured and sold by Barnes & Noble, 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CNQCrowbUI&list=UU2VqDaqQP_m2JeznJm2yz0w&index=3&feature=plcp>cannot 
be used by blind and print-disabled readers because it does not have 
text-to-speech capability or the ability to send content to a Braille 
display.

The goal of the agreement is "to provide a library e-reader 
circulation program where library patrons, with and without vision 
disabilities, are able to access and use the same technology to the 
maximum extent possible."  Under the agreement, the library will 
"acquire only technology that does not exclude persons who are blind 
or others" who need accessibility features such as text-to-speech or 
Braille output and the ability to access the device's menus and 
controls independently.  The library's commitment is also in line 
with a resolution passed in 2009 by the American Library Association 
entitled Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources, which urged 
"all libraries purchasing, procuring, using, maintaining and 
contracting for electronic resources and services" to "require 
vendors to guarantee that products and services comply with Section 
508 regulations, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, or other 
applicable accessibility standards and guidelines."

<http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the 
<http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice>National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "We are pleased that the Sacramento Public Library Authority is 
showing leadership by ensuring that the e-books that it lends will be 
accessible to all of its patrons, including those who are blind or 
have print disabilities.  E-books represent an opportunity for the 
blind to have access to the same books at the same time as our 
sighted friends, family, and colleagues, but sadly most e-book 
vendors have not designed their technology so that it can be used by 
the blind, despite the fact that it is not difficult or costly to do 
so.  Libraries, schools, and other institutions have a legal and 
moral obligation to make sure that the content they deploy is 
accessible to the blind and print-disabled.  If they meet these 
obligations by demanding accessibility from their e-book vendors, 
then accessibility will happen."





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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives 
through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs 
encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading 
force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's 
blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in 
the United States for the blind led by the blind.






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