[Blindmath] Availability of college level mathtext books inBraille, sufficient to recommend it as something to check?

[Ryan Thomas]

   RFB&D books are frustrating for math.  It seems that too many
concepts require graphics for completely autitory description to be a
viable means of learning.  Another issue is that some readers aren't
familiar with the math and exactly what is important to focus on.
When that happens yu get matrix issues and other problems as was
previously pointed out.
   I do think that cost is one of the primary bariers to access to
math and science in braille.  Schools are reluctant to spend that much
for a single text book or more, especially when it will only be used
for four months.  New editions come out frequently as well so that
braille books become obselete before a number of students can use
them.  I think one thing that we need to focus on, as a blind
community, is to figure out less expensive means of producing braille,
one of our most fundamental means of reading.  How that's to be done
I'm not sure, but I'd love to hear what ideas any of you have on the
matter.
   Finally, I think braille digital files have a lot of potential, but
they still lack things like tactile diagrams which are incredibly
important.  What's more is they must be correctly transcribed into
Nemeth.  I did download some from Bookshare, but haven't explored how
their math is done.  Unfortunately their collection of math books is
just very small at the moment.

-Ryan

On 7/16/11, Jerry Richer <jerry at chirpingbat.com> wrote:
>      I only ever had Braille for ninth grade Algebra.  I did get a BA in
> Physics in 1979 and worked several years as a Physicist and Operations
> Research Analyst with only RFBD audio books.  I agree they can be quite
> miserable trying to reconcile what the reader is saying and what you are
> understanding.  Years ago we had tactile diagrams included with the audio
> books and now we don't even have that but then again back in high school we
> were using five inch open reel tape which was a nightmare.  Regardless, I
> still use current versions of
> RFBD Physics and Math books.
>      One huge problem with RFBD or Learning Ally for me is hat there is
> almost nothing past the four year degree level.
>
>                Jerry
>
>
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