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US DOJ Says Kindle In Classroom Hurts Blind Students
angry tapir writes "Three US universities will stop promoting the use of Amazon.com's Kindle DX e-book reader in classrooms after complaints that the device doesn't give blind students equal access to information. Settlements with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Pace University in New York City and Reed College in Portland, Oregon, were announced Wednesday by the US Department of Justice. The National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind had complained that use of the Kindle devices discriminates against students with vision problems."
There were some pretty epic facepalms in all of 2009, but I think THIS one trumps all of them. Off to a good start in 2010 I see.
Who are these "The National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind"?
We have the CNIB (Canadian National Institute For The Blind) but they mostly just do fundraising to help research things like Optical implants (which they have successfuly created, I might add). Can just anyone start an minority interest group and complain to the government?
And I think the DOJ should be impeached for doing this. This is worse then "Crabs in a Bucket" mentality. I mean, anything that was designed to be looked at is essentially "Discriminating against the blind". Movies, Books, Watches, Make up, stylish clothing, traffic ilghts, etc. Is the DOJ saying that all of the United States should impair itself to accomodate the blind? What about Parapalegics? Should they get their arms and legs amputated? And the mute? Sew the mouth shut.
I'm sure the answer to the economic recession is to make as many US Citizens as useless as possible.
Imagine what could be gained by giving Kindles to MORE universities instead of less.