The NFB today applauded the decision of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Syracuse University to not deploy Amazon’s Kindle DX as a means of distributing electronic textbooks to their students. The Kindle DX features text-to-speech technology that can read textbooks aloud. However, the menus of the device are not accessible to the blind. Both universities have experimented with the Kindle DX to learn whether e-book technology is useful to their students, but will not adopt the device for general use unless and until it is made accessible to blind students. For more on this, please read the official press release or the Associated Press article that was published on the topic this morning.

Each year at its national convention in July, the National Federation of the Blind gives thirty scholarships to recognize achievement by America's blind scholars. The NFB is now accepting applications (print or online) for its 2010 Scholarship Program. The scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $12,000. For eligibility and full application information, please visit www.nfb.org/scholarships. Completed applications are due by March 31, 2010.

The National Federation of the Blind today announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Each year the National Federation of the Blind presents cash awards to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward achieving the full integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. To learn more about the program or apply online now, please visit the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program web page.