[Blindmath] Univeristy Text Books missing Equation Notations or Pictures

Susan Mooney susanannemooney at gmail.com
Sun Apr 6 21:24:41 UTC 2014 

I also think that a large part of the problem is that there are no
certified braille transcribers working on these books.  Just sending a book
through braille translation software doesn't work for textbooks.  You've
got to have someone who knows what they're doing looking over the print
copy to begin with, making notes on how things need to be modified, making
those modifications, and making sure the transcription is correct. Also,
there should be some explanation through transcriber's notes pages and
sprinkled throughout the text, about why things may have been omitted or
how they have been modified.

SM


On Sun, Apr 6, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Lewicki, Maureen <mlewicki at bcsd.neric.org>wrote:

> Hi, Mary, I am mot an expert, but when I look  at the the pictures, many
> of those images are pointless  anyway, but also many of the problems and
> graphics are "screenshots" of text, and braille translations, braille not
> takers, even microsoft text docs cannot read screenshots, so they are
> dropped.  I do not think it is a failing on Bookshare's part so much as
> technology not being able to read the screenshot yet? Someday?! Meantime,
>  I redo the books my students use.
>
> Maureen Murphy Lewicki
> Teacher of the Visually Impaired
> Bethlehem Central Schools
> 700 Delaware Avenue
> Delmar, NY 12054
> http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/
>
>
> On Apr 6, 2014, at 11:49 AM, "Mary Woodyard" <marywoodyard at comcast.net
> <mailto:marywoodyard at comcast.net>> wrote:
>
> Ty,
>
> I read your post with great interest as Bookshare text books missing
> pictures has been a problem that has frustrated me for a while.  It looks
> like if my son was a braille reader - he would also be missing equations.
> This brings up the question - why did Bookshare leave the equations out in
> the first place?  If I were guessing - I would guess that whoever
> translated
> them did not know what the equivalent Braille notations would be for the
> equations.  I think I remember seeing a board listed on this listserv which
> gave the name and web address of the Braille notation experts for the
> country.
>
> Do you need to know the notation for the equations or do you already know
> them and just need them in your book to illustrate the examples of how they
> are applied in the world?  It seems like you could send the formulas to
> this
> Braille notation board if you need the notation for the formulas.  I guess
> what I am really wondering is why Bookshare can't do that to begin with?
> Does anyone have any contacts at Bookshare?
>
> For my son who is a high school junior, I am noticing several of the
> colleges we have talked to use Bookshare.  If the Bookshare College
> textbooks are as incomplete as the high school ones - I am wondering why it
> is okay?  Who decided that Books don't need their pictures for the
> electronic versions or notation of the equations in Braille format.
>
> For the K-12 schools, there is a separate division of Bookshare - almost a
> separate library of books that only one person per school district has
> access to that has a more complete selection of textbooks that sometimes
> include pictures.  I believe (but am not sure) it is called NIMAC.
>  However,
> none of the colleges that I have visited seem to have that type of
> resource.
>
> So - do you need help getting the notation for the equations as someone
> reading this listserv could probably help you with that.  Does anyone else
> know who at Bookshare that we could try and get someone to coordinate with
> to see why they are not listed to begin with?  Finally, have you reported
> the missing equations to Bookshare?  I was missing some chapters in a book
> and they were impressive in their efforts to track down the missing
> information.
>
> It seems to be a big enough problem though that maybe we should ask someone
> at the NFB to see if there could be more effort put into creating complete
> textbook conversions into accessible media.
>
> Mary Woodyard
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> blindmath-request at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath-request at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:00 AM
> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Blindmath Digest, Vol 93, Issue 6
>
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>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: looking for braille book (John Gardner)
>   2. blind mathematician/computer scientist (Jonathon Yaggie)
>   3. Re: blind mathematician/computer scientist (Ken Perry)
>   4. More Computer Questions (Arielle Silverman)
>   5. Re: More Computer Questions (Bhavya shah)
>   6. Re: More Computer Questions (Louis Maher)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 08:52:39 -0700
> From: "John Gardner" <gardnerj at onid.orst.edu<mailto:gardnerj at onid.orst.edu
> >>
> To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'"
>    <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] looking for braille book
> Message-ID: <003e01cf50e7$12e6b250$38b416f0$@orst.edu<mailto:003e01cf50e7
> $12e6b250$38b416f0$@orst.edu>>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Who are the authors of University Physics?  There are so many textbooks, I
> never remember which name belongs to which.  But I know at least a few of
> the authors of many textbooks and might be able to get a Word file from
> them
> with appropriate safeguards.  There are several ways to read math in Word
> files.
>
> John
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of D?niel
> Hajas
> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:39 AM
> To: tyler at tysdomain.com<mailto:tyler at tysdomain.com>; 'Blind Math list for
> those interested in
> mathematics'
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] looking for braille book
>
> Hello,
>
> While at the topic, I am supposed to use University Physics ed 13. After
> some struggling the publishers were sok ind to give us the pdf version but
> does not help a lot when it comes to more mathematical part.
>
> Does anyone know about any accessible (electronic) edition of University
> Physics.
>
> Also are there some available Physics text books in electronic format where
> I could also read the equations and not just the text... Basically for now
> I
> have only lecture notes and workshop sheets as a reference but not really
> any book.
>
> Since I haven't got any study books I wouldn't mind anything such as audio
> book, txt, latex whatever as long as it is not braille. So far I have books
> only that are made for general public, so not in dept and without
> equations.
>
> Bests,
> Dan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Littlefield, Tyler
> Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 4:00 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: [Blindmath] looking for braille book
>
> Hello:
> Last semester, my DS office paid a student to convert a physics book for
> me.
> He didn't do a very good job (probably because he was watching tv while he
> did it), so it was super hard to read. This semester we found the book on
> bookshare for a different course, but a lot of the equations are omitted.
> Does anyone know if there exists somewhere a brailled version of University
> Physics, 15th ed?
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Take care,
> Ty
> http://tds-solutions.net
> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he
> that
> dares not reason is a slave.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
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> Blindmath:
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> .
> hu
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> du
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> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 11:06:46 -0500
> From: Jonathon Yaggie <jyaggi2 at uic.edu<mailto:jyaggi2 at uic.edu>>
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>    <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: [Blindmath] blind mathematician/computer scientist
> Message-ID:
>    <CAJ5uLU3dSeD4U6+LY2sActQViCQL+E5g8VktF06conaZmq=z4w at mail.gmail.com
> <mailto:CAJ5uLU3dSeD4U6+LY2sActQViCQL+E5g8VktF06conaZmq=z4w at mail.gmail.com
> >>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Sorry is this is sort of off topic.  I am trying to name a math/theoretical
> computer science study group for VI/blind high schoolers.  Convention here
> is to name the group after a mathematician.  I know a few mathematicians
> who
> were blind or partial sighted but I am not finding any who did work in
> mathematical computer science.  I would welcome suggestions.
>
>
>
>
>
> Jon Yaggie
> EYH Volunteer Coordinator
> UIC Mathematics
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 21:08:14 -0400
> From: "Ken Perry" <kperry at blinksoft.com<mailto:kperry at blinksoft.com>>
> To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'"
>    <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] blind mathematician/computer scientist
> Message-ID: <001a01cf5134$b0a9a1d0$11fce570$@blinksoft.com<mailto:
> 001a01cf5134$b0a9a1d0$11fce570$@blinksoft.com>>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>
> I don't think you can go wrong with Abraham nemeth who took Computer
> science
> and probably did more for Math for the blind then any I can think of.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Nemeth
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Jonathon
> Yaggie
> Sent: Saturday, April 5, 2014 12:07 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: [Blindmath] blind mathematician/computer scientist
>
> Sorry is this is sort of off topic.  I am trying to name a math/theoretical
> computer science study group for VI/blind high schoolers.  Convention here
> is to name the group after a mathematician.  I know a few mathematicians
> who
> were blind or partial sighted but I am not finding any who did work in
> mathematical computer science.  I would welcome suggestions.
>
>
>
>
>
> Jon Yaggie
> EYH Volunteer Coordinator
> UIC Mathematics
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:Blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/kperry%40blinksoft.c
> om
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 19:21:18 -0600
> From: Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com<mailto:arielle71 at gmail.com>>
> To: Blind Academics Discussion List <blindacademics at mailman.rice.edu
> <mailto:blindacademics at mailman.rice.edu>>
> Cc: social-sciences-list at nfbnet.org<mailto:social-sciences-list at nfbnet.org>,
> blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: [Blindmath] More Computer Questions
> Message-ID:
>    <CALAYQJAia-CEdoeNmro_Kx_Rr2VztQjb=b59zA100LFvxEqrKg at mail.gmail.com
> <mailto:CALAYQJAia-CEdoeNmro_Kx_Rr2VztQjb=b59zA100LFvxEqrKg at mail.gmail.com
> >>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi all,
>
> I think I may have posted computer shopping questions earlier, but now I
> have some more specific questions I'm hoping some of you can help with.
> Sorry for the cross-posting.
>
> I've decided to get a new device to replace my aging laptop. I am starting
> a
> new job this summer and they will provide a PC for my office, but I want to
> have something that is portable and that I can use to edit Microsoft Word,
> Excel and PowerPoint files I create at work or get from colleagues.
>
> I already have JAWS and an iPhone. If Office for iPhone is accessible, or
> if
> it's possible to easily interact with Microsoft Office files using the Mac
> applications (like Pages or Numbers) then I'd consider using my iPhone
> instead of a laptop.
>
> So my questions are:
> (1) Is Office for iPhone accessible?
> (2) How easy or complicated is it to edit MS Word files using Pages on a
> Mac
> or iPhone?
> (3) Does anyone have recommendations for modern Windows laptops that are
> ultra-portable, like Ultrabooks or netbooks if they still exist?
> (4) Which tablets work with JAWS?
>
> Thanks,
> Arielle
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2014 12:58:32 +0530
> From: Bhavya shah <bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com<mailto:
> bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com>>
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>    <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] More Computer Questions
> Message-ID:
>    <CACHadJ32bNPWhVWomAZfWEdVW45xU+PtRA2=1tRLitn8wrpv=Q at mail.gmail.com
> <mailto:CACHadJ32bNPWhVWomAZfWEdVW45xU+PtRA2=1tRLitn8wrpv=Q at mail.gmail.com
> >>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi.
> Note: Moderator Sir, I am responding to this thread because you have not
> yet
> declared if it is of topic.
> Firstly, I never knew that JAWS worked with Iphones. Thought that the IOS
> screen reader was Voiceover.
> Anyways, I would like to answer your third question.
> Yes, certainly Notebook computers are available these days. I personally
> own
> one which weighs 1.25 kg and a screen slightly more than 10 inches. It is
> extremely portable but not the most powerful computer either. My laptop
> model HP Mini 110.
> Hope that helps.
>
> On 4/6/14, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com<mailto:
> arielle71 at gmail.com>> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I think I may have posted computer shopping questions earlier, but now
> I have some more specific questions I'm hoping some of you can help
> with. Sorry for the cross-posting.
>
> I've decided to get a new device to replace my aging laptop. I am
> starting a new job this summer and they will provide a PC for my
> office, but I want to have something that is portable and that I can
> use to edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files I create at
> work or get from colleagues.
>
> I already have JAWS and an iPhone. If Office for iPhone is accessible,
> or if it's possible to easily interact with Microsoft Office files
> using the Mac applications (like Pages or Numbers) then I'd consider
> using my iPhone instead of a laptop.
>
> So my questions are:
> (1) Is Office for iPhone accessible?
> (2) How easy or complicated is it to edit MS Word files using Pages on
> a Mac or iPhone?
> (3) Does anyone have recommendations for modern Windows laptops that
> are ultra-portable, like Ultrabooks or netbooks if they still exist?
> (4) Which tablets work with JAWS?
>
> Thanks,
> Arielle
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:Blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/bhavya.shah125%
> 40gmail.com<http://40gmail.com>
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
>
> --
> Failures are stepping stones to success.
> Best Regards
> Bhavya Shah
> E-mail: bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com<mailto:bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com>
> Skype Username: bhavya.09
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2014 05:48:38 -0500
> From: "Louis Maher" <ljmaher at swbell.net<mailto:ljmaher at swbell.net>>
> To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'"
>    <blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] More Computer Questions
> Message-ID: <000601cf5185$c4c94a20$4e5bde60$@swbell.net<mailto:
> 000601cf5185$c4c94a20$4e5bde60$@swbell.net>>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hello,
>
> I have recently purchased the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 with a 256 GB SSD for
> $1300.  This machine is small, light, fast, and powerful.  You can carry it
> in one hand.  If you pair it with a Braille display, you will have a
> powerful combination.  It runs
> Windows 8.1 and Outlook 2013.  While Outlook has minor accessibility
> issues,
> generally you will not have any issues.  I use JAWS 15 and a Humanware
> Brailliant Display Bluetooth connected to the computer.
>
>
>
>
>
> Regards
> Louis Maher
> Phone 713-444-7838
> E-mail ljmaher at swbell.net<mailto:ljmaher at swbell.net>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bhavya
> shah
> Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2014 2:29 AM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] More Computer Questions
>
> Hi.
> Note: Moderator Sir, I am responding to this thread because you have not
> yet
> declared if it is of topic.
> Firstly, I never knew that JAWS worked with Iphones. Thought that the IOS
> screen reader was Voiceover.
> Anyways, I would like to answer your third question.
> Yes, certainly Notebook computers are available these days. I personally
> own
> one which weighs 1.25 kg and a screen slightly more than 10 inches. It is
> extremely portable but not the most powerful computer either. My laptop
> model HP Mini 110.
> Hope that helps.
>
> On 4/6/14, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com<mailto:
> arielle71 at gmail.com>> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I think I may have posted computer shopping questions earlier, but now
> I have some more specific questions I'm hoping some of you can help
> with. Sorry for the cross-posting.
>
> I've decided to get a new device to replace my aging laptop. I am
> starting a new job this summer and they will provide a PC for my
> office, but I want to have something that is portable and that I can
> use to edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files I create at
> work or get from colleagues.
>
> I already have JAWS and an iPhone. If Office for iPhone is accessible,
> or if it's possible to easily interact with Microsoft Office files
> using the Mac applications (like Pages or Numbers) then I'd consider
> using my iPhone instead of a laptop.
>
> So my questions are:
> (1) Is Office for iPhone accessible?
> (2) How easy or complicated is it to edit MS Word files using Pages on
> a Mac or iPhone?
> (3) Does anyone have recommendations for modern Windows laptops that
> are ultra-portable, like Ultrabooks or netbooks if they still exist?
> (4) Which tablets work with JAWS?
>
> Thanks,
> Arielle
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:Blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/bhavya.shah125%
> 40gmail.com<http://40gmail.com>
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
>
> --
> Failures are stepping stones to success.
> Best Regards
> Bhavya Shah
> E-mail: bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com<mailto:bhavya.shah125 at gmail.com>
> Skype Username: bhavya.09
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:Blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/ljmaher%40swbell.net
> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
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> BlindMath Gems can be found at
> <http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of Blindmath Digest, Vol 93, Issue 6
> ****************************************
>
>
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> http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
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> BlindMath Gems can be found at <
> http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
>



-- 
Be Here now.  Be someplace else later.  Is that so complicated? (Zen
Judaism)
 <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi>

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