[blindlaw] west academic now using "vital source" to distribute accessible books--is this platform accessible?

Laura Wolk laura.wolk at gmail.com
Thu Jan 8 00:31:50 UTC 2015


Hello all,

I am happy to report that, after my brief follow-up email explaining
the reasons why I preferred a stand-alone PDF over using their
program, I received the PDF without further comment within 4 hours.
So, kudos where kudos is due.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Laura

On 1/7/15, Tim Elder <tim at timeldermusic.com> wrote:
> Laura,
>
> Please let me know if you find an answer to this question.  Using DRM
> features to inhibit accessibility for print disabled students is something
> we should all be concerned about.  Yet one more reason for the TEACH Act to
> pass.  I hope all are supporting this legislation through NFB's Washington
> Seminar efforts.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Laura Wolk [mailto:laura.wolk at gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 1:47 PM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List
> Subject: [blindlaw] west academic now using "vital source" to distribute
> accessible books--is this platform accessible?
>
> Hello all,
>
> Ironically, given the recent discussion about the ease of using
> publisher-distributed textbooks, I've just received an email from West
> Academic stating that they no longer send PDF files directly to students.
> They instead use a platform called Vital Source. Students are given a
> redemption code, told to "click on the cover of the book"
> and can view the book from within the website. The instructions I received
> also made it seem like you could download an application to view the book
> offline, but the wording leads me to believe that again, this won't give
> you
> access to a stand-alone file that can, say, be parsed out in Kurzweil.
> Rather, it seems like it just gives you access ot the same proprietary
> file.
>
> I cannot test this hypothesis though, because I can't seem to figure out
> how
> to 'redeem" my digital books to see if they're accessible. I keep clicking
> on the link but nothing happens. I readily admit I am not the most computer
> savvy person in the world, but I am not  a novice Jaws user either.
>
> Has anyone used Vital Source before? Is it accessible? Does it allow
> off-line access to books?
>
> If it does not allow offline access in a way which allows me to alter the
> file to suit my own needs, I would also appreciate any information about
> options moving forward. i heavily rely on being able to run things through
> Kurzweil and to multi-task by keeping books on multiple computers and my
> iPhone. I also foresee this will add extra time constraints to open book
> exams, etc. If the file is technically "accessible" but not readily usable,
> do I have any leg to stand on regarding insisting that the publisher send
> me
> a stand-alone PDF file?
>
> Thank you for any help or information.
>
> Laura
>
> Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Laura
>
>
>
>


-- 
Laura Wolk
Notre Dame Law Review
J.D. Candidate, 2016, Notre Dame Law School
(484) 695-8234




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