[speakingtohe]

I cannot imagine using TTS to browse the web. Probably someone is doing it and if it in common usage or all tablets and computers without 3rd party add-ons well that is great.

I have no problem with ereaders providing extra features and if it costs more it will be my choice whether I pay more.
Anything that can be done for the handicapped is good IMO.

But if it is the responsibility of the library or school to provide all ACS compliant devices why is it not their responsibility to provide brail copies of all books and players for all media.

My aunt is blind and has been provided with a player, by the CNIB which she had to pay for. This player does not allow TTS web browsing, or anything else, other than playing CDs.
It does not even have a menu or voice input to start and stop playing.

And instead of trying to force the manufacturers to make ereaders into small mainframes, why not offer a contract to the manufacturer with the most compliant device. 10,000 ereaders in each of 10,000 institutions looks like a big enough carrot on a stick to me.

And that seems to be the problem. Whether institutions should buy anything that cannot be used by everybody. I may be misunderstanding totally, maybe they can't. Maybe all the books, and computers are 100% ACS compliant and I just don't know it.

One solution could be that if you have x users and 3% are blind you buy at least 3% audio capable devices even if they cost 10 times as much. Or 30% if they are all going to be used.
Kind of like apartment buildings or handicapped washrooms. A percentage must be available, but not all.

I don't think that ereaders have been around long enough to be considered an essential product that everyone has access to, and I don't that most libraries and/or schools provide them to patrons/students. Where I live, most schools do not provide textbooks, the students must buy them themselves. But if they are to provide them the handicapped should have their fair share.

Helen