E-Reader accessibility reminder from USDOE/DOJ
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Lots of educators are talking this summer about e-readers, especially now that the iPad has captured our collective imagination. T.H.E. Journal has an article summarizing the agreement between the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and several universities who piloted use of the Kindle DX that reminds us that accessibility for our visually-impaired readers must be part of our thinking when we consider adopting these devices.
Although the Kindle DX, the device specified in this agreement, does read text aloud, making it initially a groundbreaking tool for those with visual impairments, the device itself cannot be navigated using voice commands. I don’t know if this is also true for the iPad, but it’s something to consider before making a purchase.
Lots of educators are talking this summer about e-readers, especially now that the iPad has captured our collective imagination. T.H.E. Journal has an article summarizing the agreement between the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and several universities who piloted use of the Kindle DX that reminds us that accessibility for our visually-impaired readers must be part of our thinking when we consider adopting these devices.
Although the Kindle DX, the device specified in this agreement, does read text aloud, making it initially a groundbreaking tool for those with visual impairments, the device itself cannot be navigated using voice commands. I don’t know if this is also true for the iPad, but it’s something to consider before making a purchase.






