[indiana-l] Fw: Googles Settles

[bigdaddylou63 at sbcglobal.net]

November 17, 2009): The National Federation of
the Blind today commended Google, the Association of American
Publishers, and the Authors Guild for retaining important provisions
in the amended settlement relating to the Google Books project that
will allow people who are blind or have other print disabilities to
access the books that Google makes available to the public. The
amended settlement between Google and authors and publishers
regarding the Google Books project, if approved by the courts, will
have a profound and positive impact on the ability of blind people to
access the printed word.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the
greatest challenges faced by the blind.  The agreement between Google
and authors and publishers will revolutionize access to books for
blind Americans.  With millions of books expected to be available
through Google Books, this agreement means that blind people will
have more access to print books than we have ever had in human
history.  The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of
education, information, and entertainment literally at our
fingertips.  The National Federation of the Blind commends the
parties to this agreement for their commitment to full and equal
access to information by the blind."

"The Google Books project is designed to facilitate broad access to
the world's written knowledge," said Allan R. Adler, vice president
for legal and government affairs of the Association of American
Publishers (AAP).  "It is only fitting that the settlement includes
provisions that will make these materials available to the blind and
others who cannot read print.  These provisions certainly reflect the
values of the AAP, and we are pleased that this settlement will mean
greater availability of books to approximately 30 million Americans
who have traditionally experienced barriers to accessing the printed word."

The terms of the amended settlement, like the settlement agreement
proposed last year, allow Google to provide the material it offers
users "in a manner that accommodates users with print disabilities so
that such users have a substantially similar user experience as users
without print disabilities."  A user with a print disability under
the agreement is one who is "unable to read or use standard printed
material due to blindness, visual disability, physical limitations,
organic dysfunction, or dyslexia."  Blind people, like other members
of the public, will be able to search the texts of books in the
Google Books database online, purchase some books in an accessible
format, or access accessible books at libraries and other entities
that have an institutional subscription to the Google Books
database.  Once the court approves the settlement, Google will work
to launch these services as quickly as possible.
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