<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n
CONTACT: Baltimore, Maryland (October 10, 2012): The National Federation of the Dr. Marc Maurer<www.nfb.org\/marc-maurer-bio<\/a>>, President of the ###<\/p>\n About the National Federation of the Blind<\/p>\n With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n LL<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen@nfb.org<\/a><mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org<\/a>> National…<\/p>\n
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@nfb.org<\/a><mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org<\/a>>
National Federation of the Blind Sends Message to America\u2019s Teachers
NOOKs in the Classroom Discriminate Against Blind Students<\/p>\n
Blind<www.nfb.org<\/a>>, the oldest and largest nationwide organization of
blind people and the leading advocate for equal access to education and
technology, commented today on Barnes & Noble\u2019s recently announced \u201cFall
Educator Appreciation Week\u201d promotion, which is designed to promote the use
of the company\u2019s NOOK e-readers in the classroom.<\/p>\n
National Federation of the Blind<www.twitter.com\/NFB_voice<\/a>>, said:
\u201cWe have a critically important message for America\u2019s teachers and school
administrators. We know that you are deeply committed to the full and equal
education of all of your students, including those who are blind, as
evidenced by your support of educational concepts like Universal Design for
Learning. For this reason, we ask that you heavily consider the
accessibility of technology when making decisions about whether to
incorporate it into the classroom. Technologies that are fully accessible
to the blind will also benefit other students who cannot read print or have
difficulty doing so, including students with certain learning disabilities
and those whose native language is not English. Federal law
requires<www2.ed.gov\/about\/offices\/list\/ocr\/docs\/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html<\/a>>,
and blind students and their parents demand, that the technology that is
used in the classroom provide the same content and the same benefits to
blind students as to all other students. The Barnes & Noble NOOK e-readers
available to date do not currently meet this
standard<www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_CNQCrowbUI&feature=plcp<\/a>>, nor do we
have evidence as to whether the newest product line, which begins shipping
this fall, will do so. Please stand up for your students and join us in
demanding that Barnes & Noble make the necessary changes to its e-reading
devices so that they can be used by all students. Until it does so, please
tell Barnes & Noble that these devices are not appropriate educational
tools.\u201d<\/p>\n
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States. The NFB improves blind people\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n