Begin forwarded message:
From: David Andrews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: September 26, 2008 10:05:57 PM EDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [nfbcs] Cooperative Agreement with Apple Concerning iTunes
Reply-To: NFBnet NFBCS Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Earlier today, the National Federation of the Blind sent out a press
release
about an agreement that has been reached among the Massachusetts
Attorney
General, the NFB and Apple regarding the iTunes software and
services. Unfortunately I used a version of the release with an in
proper subject line on it. the version of that press release that I
circulated on the lists
has the subject line "Press release about lawsuit settlement with
Apple."
This is not the correct subject line. There never was a law suit
against Apple Computers. What took place was an "agreement."
I sincerely apologize for any problems or inconvenience that this
error may have caused anyone.
David Andrews, list Owner
p.s. Below is the original release...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Federation of the Blind and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Announce Agreement with Apple to Make iTunes Fully Accessible
Baltimore, Maryland (September 26, 2008): The National Federation of
the
Blind and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today
announced a
cooperative agreement with Apple, Inc. to make Apples iTunes software,
iTunes Store, and iTunes U more accessible to the blind. On
September 9,
Apple released iTunes 8, which contains significant accessibility
improvements. Under todays agreement, Apple will make iTunes U (a
dedicated area of the iTunes Store for content provided by colleges
and
universities) fully accessible by December 31, 2008, and will ensure
the
full accessibility of the iTunes software and the rest of the iTunes
Store
to blind people using both Mac and Windows operating systems by June
30,
2009. Over the next three years, Apple will continue to work with
officials in the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General and the
National Federation of the Blind to ensure that the iTunes services
remain
accessible to the blind and that accessibility issues are resolved.
Apple
has also agreed to contribute $250,000 to the Massachusetts
Commission for
the Blind to assist the agency in providing adaptive technology to
blind
residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said:
Computer technology is a critical means of access to business,
education,
information, and entertainment in the twenty-first century, and the
blind
must have equal access if we are to be equal participants in
society. By
making its extremely popular iTunes service fully accessible to the
blind,
Apple is setting an example that should be followed by the entire
information technology industry. The National Federation of the
Blind is
pleased to have worked with Attorney General Coakley and her staff to
reach this important agreement with Apple, and we will continue to
work
tirelessly until the blind have equal
access to the full range of products and services available to the
public
through the Internet and other information technologies.
Our office is committed to providing equal opportunity to all
citizens of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, said Attorney General Martha
Coakley.
This agreement will benefit blind Commonwealth citizens and all blind
Americans by making one of the most widely used computer applications
accessible to them. I applaud Apple for its commitment to
accessibility
and look forward to continuing to work with the National Federation
of the
Blind to ensure that rapid progress is made in making the iTunes
software
and services usable by everyone.
###
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people
in
the United States. The NFB improves blind peoples 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.
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