[Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra, ttrig and calculus books for loan?

Sina Bahram sbahram at nc.rr.com
Tue Jul 20 15:14:11 UTC 2010 

One quick correction to this.

If you're in college, bookshare.org is free . No need to pay.

Take care,
Sina

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Burke, Dan (DSS)
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:04 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra,ttrig and calculus books for loan?

A couple of things about getting textbooks.  

First, your college has the responsibility under the ADA and Section 504 to provide you with access to your texts.  While
mathematics texts may be much more difficult to obtain and render in Nemeth or in accessible electronic forms, the responsibility is
the college's to get them into the correct format.  However, if you want to have a chance of getting texts by the start of the
semester, you need to start now - or last month if you are looking for a specific math title.

VR can and certainly should be able to pay for Nemeth math texts.
Though the regulations for the ADA say that such things are "comparable benefits" in terms of VR, and therefore things they feel
they don't have to pay for, the regulations under Section 504 also makes it quite clear that your college can request VR's
assistance in such cases.  Or they can arrange some kind of cost-sharing.  Work on both of them.

BTW, RFBD is a good source for textbooks generally, as is Bookshare.org.
Colleges are increasingly turning to a publisher-sponsored entity known as the Access Text Network (ATN) to get electronic textbook
files from publishers, some of them are readable, and they come in more or less readable PDF, unreadable PDF, and even MS Word.
Typically, indiiduals are not able to make the requests, only colleges, though I learned at he convention that the Maryland Library
of the Blind has made requ3ests on behalf of patrons who are in higher ed.  But it's a quick way to get files from which to begin
creating accessible texts.

RFBD files are either DAISY or WMA.  That is, you can play the DAISY files with hardware or software players, but a User
Authorization Key
(UAK) is absolutely required.  I recommend that you get VR to purchase you a player and a RFBD membershipa and the UAK.  RFBD's WMA
versions are playable only with Windows Media Player on a Windows machine.  They are not, as mentioned in a previous e-mail,
playable on iPods or Kindles or anything portable but a WMA player, and they are not otherqise transferrable from one computer to
another.  Plus, they just don't have the same navigation advantages that DAISY files have.

Bookshare.org has a fair number of various titles, lotsof computer books, not much in Maths I suspect.  But it's a resource no
college student can ignore.  Again, get VR to to pay for your membership.

You are asking great questions of this list.  Ultimately, it will be you who must know what to ask of VR and your college, so keep
asking!


Dan Burke
Assistant Director/Assistive Technology Coordinator

Disability Services for Studentst
The University of Montana
Emma B. Lommasson Center 154
Missoula, MT 59812

406.243.4424
406.243.5330 FAX

www.umt.edu/disability


-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Lisa Bongiorno
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 5:13 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra,ttrig and calculus books for loan?

There are several websites where you can access audio books for free.
You do need to search.  Try also your library.  I'm from NJ and I was directed to the website: www.listennj.com  Excellent website.
All you need is a library card.  You go to the website, pull down the menu and click on to your library and enter your library
number.  From there you have full access to audio books and can download them to your IPod, MP3 or burn them onto discs for free!
Also try RFB&D. They have a grant that allows for first time members, free first year membership. You can either order CDs or
download textbooks on an Ipod, Kindle, whatever piece of equipment you are using.  Good luck.

			


-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Peter Wolfe
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 3:46 PM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Nemeth code algebra,ttrig and calculus books for loan?

Thanks Steve for the help cause it really feels sincere. I really appreciate the effort and time you put into sending the replied
e-mail. I'm working on this stuff as I speak. I will read through my e-mail and hopefuloly I don't go to sleep to call people or
e-mail.


Thanks,
Peter, AS

On 7/18/10, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
> 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
>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>Blindmath mailing list
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obson%40visi.com
>>>
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>
>
>>--
>>Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
>>sunspot005 at gmail.com
>
>>_______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
>
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--
Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
sunspot005 at gmail.com

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