Schools Reject Kindle
Although some colleges are embracing the Kindle as a study tool, at least two universities are rejecting the device because they believe it discriminates against visually impaired students.
From the Associated Press:
“The National Federation of the Blind planned to announce Wednesday that the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Syracuse University won’t consider big rollouts of the electronic reading device unless Amazon makes it more accessible to visually impaired students.
Both schools have some Kindles that they bought for students to try this fall, but now they say they won’t look into buying more unless Amazon makes changes to the device.
‘These universities are saying, “Our policy is nondiscrimination, so we’re not going to adopt a technology we know for sure discriminates against blind students,” ‘ said Chris Danielsen, a spokesman for the National Federation for the Blind.”
The National Federation of the Blind sued Arizona State University in June, saying it was discriminating against students who are visually impaired. An Amazon.com spokesman, according to the AP report, said the company is working to make the device more accessible for these students.
Proves commented:
That is ridiculous. I agree with the post above. This is not about discrimination, but about the loss of a significant revenue stream for some schools. It will be interesting to see the student response over time.
FridayBob commented:
Software upgrades to Kindle will allow enlarged fonts, making the book readable for people with limited vision. Voice capable Kindles will serve the needs of the totally blind. Absent any logical explanation, one needs only to follow the money.
This is raw naked politics based on who gets paid. Whether it is braille books or voice-capable Kindles.
tfred commented:
the schools make money from book sales, which they would effectively be cut off from with kindle. look at all the screaming about the price of “regular” books on kindle and now imagine what happens when a $150 textbook is now $9.99
spellcheck commented:
You’re kidding? First, Amazon makes a Kindle with a voice reading feature built in. Second, how is a Kindle more discriminating than a printed book? So a school is denying a progressive technology from the majority of its students because a very small number are unable to use it? Do they also get rid of the intercom system? Drop music appreciation classes? Where does this nonsense end?
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