Sometimes the federal government does something so laughably moronic, that one has to stop and ask the question “Are they really that dumb or is something else going on?”
Here is the setup. Recently a number of universities around the country decided to take a look at using some modern technology in the classroom in an effort to save money. These universities took part in an experimental program to allow students to use the Amazon Kindle for textbooks. As you know, many people now use e-readers like the Kindle or the Nook as a replacement for traditional printed books. There are many reasons for this including cost, environmental impact, and convenience. Further, anyone who has gone to college understands the high cost of textbooks and would likely support any way to reduce this large expense.
Here is the pathetic punchline. For conducting this experiment with the Kindle, Obama’s Department of Justice threatened legal action against the universities. The ridiculous contention of the Obama administration is that the Kindle and e-readers violate the Americans With Disabilities Act. Why? Because the blind can’t easily use them.
Now the first thing that would pop into the minds of anybody with a third grade education and that does not work for the government is this simple question. If e-readers discriminate against the blind, do not traditional textbooks discriminate equally? The obvious answer is yes.
This line of reasoning is so absurd that it is hard to believe that even federal employees could be this myopic and moronic. So it begs the question: What might be the real motivation here? What else could be at stake that the government would prefer to be considered neo-luddites rather than reveal their true motivation?
August 9, 2010 at 12:51 am
The Kindle has a read-aloud feature. It's a mechanical voice, but you can make the device deliver via sound. Now, you might need to memorize the buttons or have a sighted person turn that feature on for you, but it's not impossible.
That, and the universities could save a lot of trees by having the regular boks available on Kindle and/or Nook and or sony…AND still make the Braille editions available. Unless the issue is that the sighted students are saving money by using the e-reader, and the blind are not. But surely this is an issue anyway?
S. Murphy
August 9, 2010 at 7:01 am
This government is who is blind. There's a word for them, courtesy of the Emerald Isle: gobshites.
August 9, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I've had visually impaired friends in college and have a younger brother who is currently learning braille. From what I understand universities offer visually impaired students reading services and braille printers. Surely text-to-voice, or software for the braille printers which can read the file format of e-readers (if such software exists currently) makes them ultimately more promising than traditional textbooks. I've heard discussion that user interface on some e-readers isn't too good–perhaps this event will encourage them to develop friendlier versions (even if they're not mass market, at least to have the option).
Really, the change to e-readers will happen if the students want it, regardless of what the universities and government say. Personally I wouldn't want electronic versions of some books I use since I do more than just read them;so I would likely also buy a used textbook if assigned an e-book version. On the other hand, I know many students who already just download/purchase pdfs of their books and print as needed…if publishers offer e-reader editions of books, students will start using them of their desire to save money and space and the industry will notice. Also color based e-readers would be more advantageous for books in which photos and illustrations are important. I can't imagine an intro astronomy book without color photos!
All this said…I've often wondered why someone hasn't developed a braille e-reader. It's not hard to imagine a screen layered with electronics such that it produces tiny, not painful, electric feedback upon tactile contact–just enough to replicate braille. By activating only certain points on the screen based on the text for each page, one has a braille-like e-reader.
August 9, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Simple: Socialists know that an educated populous is a threat to their power. People must be reading more now that these devices are out.
August 9, 2010 at 6:15 pm
My guess would be that the real motivation was a large donation and the promise of further donations, from the textbook companies.
Susan Peterson
August 9, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I think doorholder's idea is brilliant, and Susan's thought is likely,sadly, correct.
I myself HATE ereaders, and LOVE the feeling of a book in my hand, but fully acknowledge the practicality of them in so many senses…updates created/mistakes corrected with the push of a button instead of having to reprint the whole darn thing…so many textbooks being "throwaway" already in the sense that no one wants to keep them after the class…and the environmental consideration as well. I think they're technological genius, and in a university situation, I'd likely be happy to use one…I just don't want one for my regular reading for pleasure.
August 9, 2010 at 9:42 pm
There are any number of small Catholic publishers, for whom e-books and e-readers will be their salvation, their excuses to avoid them notwithstanding. (None of this luddite schtick, please. You're reading this on a computer, ok?) That said, this may be a case of a misapplication of "section 508" compliance laws, where electronic media provided by the public sector, or made possible through public aid, must be accessible to the visually-impaired. Or something. Obviously the full capabilities of this medium has been misunderstood. I'm betting this action goes away quietly.
August 10, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Follow the money, Eulogos…