[nfbwatlk] Fw: NFB now working with amazon

[Lauren Merryfield]

Hi,
Here is good news.  I've been using Barnes And Noble to order cd's or books 
because their website is so much better, and I've held book signings there. 
But if Amazon is going to improve, that's great!
thanks
Lauren
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:52 AM
Subject: NFB now working with amazon


 http://tinyurl.com/yw9gmk
Amazon.com and National Federation of the Blind Join Forces to Develop and 
Promote Web Accessibility

3/28/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
John G. Paré Jr.                                      Patty Smith
Director of Public Relations                      Director of Corporate 
Communications
National Federation of the Blind                Amazon.com
(410) 659-9314, extension 2371                   (206) 266-7180
(410) 913-3912 (Cell)
jpare at nfb.org
Amazon.com and National Federation of the Blind
Join Forces to Develop and Promote Web Accessibility
Baltimore, Maryland (March 28, 2007): The National Federation of the Blind 
(NFB) and Amazon.com announced today that they have agreed to work together
to promote and improve technology that enables blind people to access and 
use the World Wide Web.  In a cooperation agreement, Amazon.com pledged its 
commitment
to continue improving the accessibility of its Web site platform, while the 
NFB committed to contribute its expertise in Web accessibility technologies
to help further Amazon.com's efforts.

"Amazon has always looked for ways to provide the most convenient and 
easy-to-use shopping experience for all our customers, including those who 
use screen
access software," said Patty Smith, director of corporate communications for 
Amazon.com.  "By working directly with the NFB, which has a wealth of 
accessible
technology experience, we'll be able to make more improvements for both our 
sighted customers and those customers who use screen access software to 
browse
and shop the Internet."

Blind persons access Web sites by using keyboards in conjunction with screen 
access software, which vocalizes or translates into Braille the visual 
information
displayed on a computer screen by Web browsers and other computer 
applications.  If not designed properly, however, Web sites can present 
barriers that
do not allow the information contained on them to be translated properly for 
blind users, and emerging Internet technologies are presenting new 
accessibility
challenges.

"The National Federation of the Blind has long been a center of expertise in 
both developing and implementing access technology to provide the blind with
the information and tools we need to integrate successfully into society," 
said Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind.   "We 
have
developed technologies like the Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blind 
Reader and NFB-NEWSLINE® that provide the blind with unparalleled access to 
information,
and the staff of our International Braille and Technology Center for the 
Blind has experience in making Web sites and other technologies more 
accessible
to blind computer users.  We look forward to working with the developers at 
Amazon.com, the leader in innovation in online retail, to perfect techniques
and technologies that will make the Internet more accessible for users of 
assistive technology.  We are pleased that an industry leader like 
Amazon.com
is committed to full and equal access for the blind on its Web sites and 
throughout the e-commerce industry.  This cooperation agreement demonstrates 
to
the world that the blind are eager to work with leading Internet companies 
to improve the online experience for everyone, and also that access for the
blind goes hand in hand with continued innovation in Internet technology."
# # #
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.

©2007 All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2007 NFB