[blindkid] Interesting info from Bookshare

Fri Feb 20 14:48:13 UTC 2009

Carol,

Thank you for raising these questions and passing this correspondence to us.  I see this response as a very positive sign, but we really don't know how it will wash 
out.  For example, there is a 
big difference between including an image and including a tactile graphics file of some kind.  We also don't know how this will be manifested on a braille display.  
BookShare does proofread files for accuracy, but it isn't at all clear as to how they will proofread textbooks for consistent textbook format.  
While I think we owe BookShare a little understanding, I also feel that we really have not seen any recognition of some of these issues raised in any official manner 
yet.  As has been discussed here, there are formatting issues that might be lacking in the original texts that will need to be addressed in some fashion.  This is not 
BookShare's fault, but I think they need to be very careful in using the term "braille ready" as they seek to get school districts to interact with them directly.  I just feel 
that we have to be very careful with the quality of braille textbooks for K-12, particularly the earlier grades.  This likely will involve more than proofreading in some 
cases, it may involve adding formatting and dealing with tactile drawings in some form.  I am hoping that BookShare is on top of this in a way that is beyond what I 
know, but I don't see it clearly expressed in this correspondence.  It is possible that too much faith is being placed in the formatting markup in the original files and 
automated processes.  We need to hope for the best but will need to keep a careful eye on this.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:25:23 -0500, Carol Castellano wrote:

>Hi Everyone,
>Below is an exchange of emails with Mario 
>Oliveros from Bookshare which addresses many of our concerns.
>Carol

>>Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:45:23 -0800
>>From: "Mario Oliveros" <marioo at Benetech.org>
>>Subject: RE: question
>>
>>Dear Ms. Castellano,
>>
>>Thanks for your patience; I needed to get a 
>>status on some of our development progress.   Please see responses below:
>>
>>"       Bookshare books are downloadable in both 
>>DAISY and BRF (Braille Ready Format).  Our books 
>>are compatible with screen readers like JAWS and 
>>notetakers, or will be as soon as partners 
>>complete upgrades to accommodate our new book 
>>format.   Bookshare has also added variable cell 
>>line length as a setting in user preferences so 
>>that our books can accommodate different 
>>displays and Braille outputs.  I'd be happy to 
>>schedule a call with our support team discuss 
>>this topic with you to explain further.
>>
>>"       Files are being proofread thoroughly and 
>>Bookshare has made book quality a core 
>>value.  Before new books are introduced to the 
>>library, the books is reviewed and validated by 
>>Bookshare staff and volunteers.  In addition, 
>>Bookshare is going back, reviewing, and 
>>validating older books in the library as 
>>well.  And when books are found to have any 
>>required edits, Bookshare strongly encourages 
>>members to report them so that our team can edit 
>>them.  We have added a report book quality link 
>>to our site on the page for each book so we can 
>>get immediate feedback and fix the book.
>>
>>"       Regarding Math and Science books, we 
>>will have an interesting announcement later this 
>>spring or early summer about DAISY support for 
>>math.  Regarding images, we are in the final 
>>testing stages of adding images to NIMAC books. 
>>When rolled out, there will be 2 DAISY files 
>>letting Members choose whether or not they want 
>>the images.  The image file will be much larger 
>>than the text as one would expect. We are also 
>>incorporating image descriptions.   Also 
>>regarding math and science books, we can handle 
>>whatever we get from the NIMAC. If the publisher 
>>includes images, we'll add them.
>>
>>By the way, another important announcement is 
>>that states can now name Bookshare as an 
>>Authorized User of the NIMAC. This will help us 
>>get books to students much more quickly.
>>
>>I hope this answers some of your questions, 
>>please do not hesitate to contact me directly for any follow-up questions.
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Mario Oliveros
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Carol Castellano 
>>[<mailto:carol_castellano at verizon.net>mailto:carol_castellano at verizon.net]
>>Sent: Tue 2/17/2009 8:20 PM
>>To: Mario Oliveros
>>Subject: RE: question
>>
>>Thanks, Mario.  I'm looking forward to your response.
>>Carol
>>
>>At 04:34 PM 2/17/2009, you wrote:
>> >Ms. Castellano,
>> >
>> >Thank you very much for your inquiry.  Betsy Burgess, our Director
>> >of Marketing whom you met sometime last year, sends her regards.
>> >
>> >I have most of the information you are requesting, but need to get
>> >an update from our management team on the inclusion of science
>> >images.  I just wanted to send you a notice that I received your
>> >email and will get back to you by tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks again
>> >for your email and let me know if you have other questions in the meantime.
>> >
>> >Best,
>> >
>> >Mario Oliveros
>> >Partner Program Manager
>> >Benetech/Bookshare
>> >tel: (650) 644-3413
>> >fax: (650) 475-1066
>> >marioo at benetech.org
>> ><<http://www.benetech.org>http://www.benetech.org>www.bookshare.org
>> >www.benetech.org
>> >
>> >Technology Serving Humanity
>> >
>> >
>> >From: Carol Castellano 
>> [<mailto:carol_castellano at verizon.net>mailto:carol_castellano at verizon.net]
>> >Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:12 AM
>> >To: Mario Oliveros
>> >Subject: question
>> >
>> >Hello Mario,
>> >
>> >I am writing as President of Parents of Blind Children-NJ, 1st VP of
>> >the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children and as
>> >Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator in the Teacher of the Blind/VI
>> >program at The College of New Jersey.
>> >
>> >A couple of questions keep coming up from many quarters regarding
>> >the Bookshare grant to produce books for students with a very short
>> >turn-around time.  Many have been asking the following:
>> >    * What is the file format that the student would receive?  Would
>> > the file be directly downloadable for use with a notetaker with
>> > braille display?  Would it be usable on a computer with JAWS?
>> >    * Will the files be proofread?  Will the 
>> proofing be cursory or thorough?
>> >    * Are math and science books included?  If so, what is being
>> > done about figures and diagrams?
>> >Thanks very much,
>> >
>> >Carol Castellano
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