[Blindmath] [Blind math] Nemeth code algebra, trig and calculus books for loan?

Sun Jul 18 17:38:09 UTC 2010

Hi Peter,
  I think that Jose as well as several others here have very nicely hinted 
at a very important aspect for success. As someone working on their second 
doctoral degree, I can tell you from personal experience that one of the 
most essential ingredients for being successful as a blind student in higher 
education is to be creative and innovative. I spend much of my time working 
with spectrograms which means that I need to spend a fair amount of time 
interpreting, manipulating, and measuring waves which is obviously a very 
visual bit of work. because a spectrogram requires a lot of visual 
attention, I have had to become very creative in finding ways to be 
successful, and utilize my resources. I have learned to use my own 
abilities, as you are trying to find ways to do to the greatest extent 
possible. When that fails, as a first course of action, I turn to the 
disabilities office. The more you can develop a strong, positive, working 
relationship with  them; the more they will often be willing to be of help 
and the more timely of a manner they will do what is needed. When all else 
fails, I talk with my advisor or other faculty if they are more appropriate 
(e.g., the professor of a class I am taking) to resolve the problem.

  I have found that  as I become more innovative, not always taking the road 
most traveled, even by other blind individuals, there is often a pleasantly 
surprising level of success and rewarding outcomes. For example, I have come 
to find that I can do a large portion of the fully visual spectrogram work 
that my fully sighted peers can do without  any vision. Further, I have 
found that this ability to use innovation as my first line of defense has 
made many of my professors, peers, and out-of-my-university colleagues 
develop a real respect for my capability and take a sincere notice in my 
work/scientific outcomes. It has also helped me begin to stand out among my 
peers which is important in nearly any field.

  I know you can be very successful it just often takes extra time and 
effort, and as I noted a fair amount of creativity on your part.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Jose Tamayo" <jtblas at hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:03 PM
To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'" 
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra,ttrig and calculus books for 
loan?

> Hello folks,
>
> I am one of those who is going through a Computer Science program  using
> Nemeth code and many other tools.  I have found that most of the services
> that provide transcription are very expensive.  One quote I got recently 
> was
> for $14 per page to produce Nemeth code.  Right now, I have partnered with 
> a
> professor in the University who has taken interest in my wanting to 
> complete
> this degree.  she has been creating diagrams and translating the book
> content to MathType so that I can get it to Nemeth code.  You may not find
> all the tools you require and need but it will be very important to let
> yourself be known.  Let people know that you are interested in doing
> something different and that you are willing to put the time and effort to
> get it done.  The professor I am working with was someone that I 
> approached
> a couple of years ago.  she understood my goals and offered to help. 
> Right
> now, I receive much content from her and the disability resource center
> often reimburses her for preparing the content I require.
>
> I guess I am providing one example of my particular situation but that is
> how I am able to obtain content for classwork.  The content has not always
> come on time but I have been able to work through my coursework.
>
> If I may be of further assistance, please let me know.
>
> Regards,
> Jose Tamayo
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Steve Jacobson
> Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 10:20 AM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra, ttrig and calculus books for
> loan?
>
> Peter,
>
> I won't say anything more on this after this note.  I truly do feel for 
> your
> financial problems, but the fact is that most blind
> people going to college, even without major debt, could not affort to pay 
> to
> get braille or even audio books on their own.
> Some states tend to be tighter than others, and I can't say how tight your
> state is.  However, part of the federal laws are
> intended to allow state agencies to help with book costs, and the college
> you attend also has some responsibilities.  I
> was not saying you need a private transcriber, but rather, I was referring
> to the fact that there are organizations that do
> transcribing to assist with textbooks.  There is such an agency in
> Minnesota, for example, but they charge for out-of-
> state borrowing, and they give priority to persons in-state for 
> transcribing
> new books.  You didn't say if you have
> contacted your college yet, but you will have to make some contacts to 
> find
> out what is available already transcribed
> and also if you have any options to get something transcribed.  Your VR
> counselor may not be of much help, but
> sometimes you have to "play the game" to get whatever help is available, 
> but
> that option won't work until you know
> what the college is able to do.  I know RFBD has produced some books
> primarily with audio but with braille
> supplements, and that might be worth investigating.  Some publishers will
> provide electronic copies of their books, but it
> can be problematic with math.  I believe it is the American Printing House
> for the Blind that maintains the database of all
> books that have been transcribed by organizations around the country.  NLS
> does very little of this kind of work.  I just
> don't know what else to say, but I fear if you don't look at some of these
> other issues very soon, you won't have any
> texts in nemeth and the practice will be of little value.  I truly hope
> things work out for you, and maybe there are people
> on this list who live nearer to you who can make more specific suggestions
> than I am able to make.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve Jacobson
>
> On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:51:37 -0500, Peter Wolfe wrote:
>
>>Steve,
>
>
>
>>    I'm trying to see how the nemeth code will look like for
>>orientation purposes and for the pracctice in my rusty abilities in
>>math. I haven't done serious math in almost three years. I have a VR
>>counsuler and they are mainly only good in most cases with financial
>>support. With the down turn in the economy and my personal financial
>>restraints the other option would also be thrown out too. Looking at
>>someone transcribing for me is probably way way too expensive for the
>>normal blind college student. I also have a house with other debt
>>credit card issues and an apartment with utilities including a
>>dependent  brother as well. So, needless to say financial restraints
>>are a huge problem.
>
>>On 7/17/10, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
>>> Peter,
>>>
>>> What kind of books are you requesting?  Are you looking for books to
> learn
>>> the Nemeth Code or to see how it is used?
>>> Have you made contact with the college you will be attending to see if
> they
>>> can help you find out what books you will
>>> be needing?  There are databases around that can be searched to see if a
>>> given book has been brailled by anyone.
>>> Do you have a Vocational Rehabilitation case open with your state 
>>> agency?
>>> Part of what they might be able to do is to
>>> help with purchasing braille copies of the books you will need if they
> are
>>> available.  They probably would not buy books
>>> for practice, though.  There are some places that will transcribe books
> for
>>> you, but they need lead time and I don't know
>>> who serves your state.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>>
>>> Steve Jacobson
>>>
>>> On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:56:10 -0600, Peter Wolfe wrote:
>>>
>>>>Blind Math list,
>>>
>>>
>>>>    It's me Peter with about a month to go, I am trying to find a
>>>>place to have nemeth code braille math books for loan from? I tried
>>>>NLS and they have utterly blasted me out of the water via the
>>>>telephone. I don't have the kind of money to purchase that sort of
>>>>mammoth priced math information either. Most blind people don't have
>>>>it either. I'd appreciate any help in this regard. By the way, when
>>>>you guys finished your first calculus book, did you keep your notes
>>>>and books for the next calculus? Thanks for any hints and tips like
>>>>always.
>>>
>>>
>>>>God bless,
>>>>Peter, AS
>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
>>>>sunspot005 at gmail.com
>>>
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> %40visi.com
>>>
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>
>
>>-- 
>>Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
>>sunspot005 at gmail.com
>
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>
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Christine M. Szostak
Graduate Student
Language Perception Lab
Department of Psychology, Cognitive Area
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
szostak.1 at osu.edu 