[governance] Amazon and Sony Are Requesting That The Accessibility Requirement Be Waved for E-Book Readers

[Avri Doria]

Hi,

I am not clear.  It this about adding Braille to e-books?
Or is it about their only partial ability to read the book to a person?
Or is it about the ability to use the book and have it be voice activated to turn the pages and activate other features for those who are paralyzed?

I am not sure what capabilities they want the exemption from.

thanks

avri


On 7 Aug 2013, at 17:22, Catherine Roy wrote:

> [Apologies for cross posting]
> 
> Forwarded from the Web Accessibility Initiative Interest Group mailing list. I find this development quite distressing.
> 
> Amazon and Sony Are Requesting That The Accessibility Requirement Be Waved for E-Book Readers
> 
> "The ) Twenty-First Century Communications and Video ) Accessibility Act of 2010 requires companies who make electronic devices to make them accessible to people with disabilities. At this time, none of the Ebook readers that are on the market meet this requirement. Since many companies feel that this requirement should not apply to Ebook readers, Amazon, Kobo, and Sony have submitted a petition to the FCC asking for a waiver. According to the petition, this is the definition of an Ebook reader: "E-readers, sometimes called e-book readers, are mobile electronic devices that are designed, marketed and used primarily for the purpose of reading digital documents, including e-books and periodicals." Since Ebook readers are primarily designed for print reading, the companies are arguing that the disabled community would not significantly benefit from these devices becoming accessible. They also argue that because the devices are so simple, making the changes to the devices to make them accessible, would cause them to be heavier, have poorer battery life, and raise the cost of the devices. Finally, these companies argue that since their apps are accessible on other devices such as the iPad and other full featured tablets, that they are already providing access to their content."
> 
> Source : http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9286
> 
> 
> 
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