AAPD Backs Google Book Digitization Progam on Disability Rights Grounds

With some companies making clearcut decisions to exclude readers with disabilities by introducing unfriendly products such s Kindle 2 the necessity of advocating for those who do not read print has become more urgent. AAPD has stepped up to address the issue:

The American Association of People with Disabilities told federal court judge Denny Chin that "vast numbers of books will be opened up for many people for the first time ever," citing the fact that Google Book Search will digitize books into formats that can be used by specialized readers. The nonprofit group asked the court to approve the controversial copyright settlement that Google struck in 2007 to settle a class action lawsuit filed by authors and publishers.

That's good news for the search and advertising giant, given the settlement is under investigation by the Justice Department and is facing stiff opposition from rights groups and some authors. They are concerned that the settlement will give Google a monopoly on the world's digital books, leading to problems with censorship, tracking and price gouging.

Source:

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/08/disability-group-boosts-google-book-search/