[Blindtlk] Audio Books from RFB&D Are Now Accessible on the Mac

[David Andrews]

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Audio Books from RFB&D Are Now Accessible on the Mac

A new software player for Mac and Windows users 
makes reading and educational content more 
accessible for people with learning differences.

Princeton, NJ (Vocus) November 29, 2010

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic® (RFB&D®), the 
nation’s largest provider of educational audio 
textbooks, announced that its entire collection 
is now accessible on Mac as well as Windows 
operating systems through the introduction of 
RFB&D ReadHear, developed by gh, LLC in partnership with RFB&D.

“This is truly a milestone on our path to make 
educational content more accessible for those who 
need it most,” says Andrew Friedman, acting CEO 
of RFB&D. “Our individual and institutional 
members are eager to tap the spectrum of 
assistive technologies available today. While 
satisfying users who have been asking for access 
to our materials on the Mac, this dual-platform 
approach also provides an advanced solution for 
our large base of Windows users. We look forward 
to widening their range of accessibility even more in the coming year.”

Background:
    *     This long awaited development is the 
result of RFB&D’s extensive collaboration with 
gh, LLC, an assistive technology company 
specializing in access to information for people 
with visual, learning or physical disabilities.
    *     A new dual-platform software player 
developed by gh enables users to access the 
entire library of RFB&D DAISY-formatted content 
on both Mac and Windows systems. The new 
technology will also support RFB&D’s developing 
generation of content containing digital text and audio.
    *     Thanks to funding provided by the U.S. 
Department of Education, RFB&D will license the 
player to individual members for free (one copy 
per member, renewable after one year).
    *     A brief video product demonstration of 
the new RFB&D ReadHear solution is posted at 
http://www.rfbd.org/readhear]. The page is a 
one-stop info hub for Mac OS and Windows users, 
featuring technical specifications, “How To” and 
“Quick Start” documents; and an FAQ.
    *     Institutional members (e.g. school 
systems) can obtain information and price quotes 
regarding licensing opportunities by contacting 
James Higgins, Vice President RFB&D Programs and 
Services at jhiggins(at)rfbd(at)org.
“This is a positive step forward for 
accessibility,” says Alexa Posny, Assistant 
Secretary in the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of 
Education. “People with learning differences can 
thrive when their menu of technology options is open and diverse.”

““I found ReadHear very easy to download and set 
up, and it really streamlines the study process,” 
says Elizabeth Burns, a visually impaired 
graduate student in upstate New York who is 
pursuing her doctorate in American History. “I 
spend several hours reading and studying every 
day, using a few devices along with my computer. 
I was constantly shifting between devices to 
listen and take notes. Now by being able to 
access a recorded book and take notes on my 
computer, it’s a matter of just a few keystrokes 
between one program and the other, which is 
marvelous because it reduces the amount of physical effort.”

“gh has worked as the industry leader for many 
years on developing state-of-the-art software to 
support DAISY books on a variety of platforms,” 
adds Dave Schleppenbach, President of gh, LLC. 
“Our mission is to assist as many students as 
possible with cutting-edge technology to support 
their varied learning styles. Working with RFB&D 
is a tremendous opportunity to reach students 
across the country, hopefully changing lives for the better.”

About Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®
Founded in 1948, RFB&D serves more than 270,000 
K-12, college and graduate students, as well as 
veterans and lifelong learners – all of whom 
cannot read standard print due to blindness, 
visual impairment, dyslexia, or other disability. 
RFB&D's collection of more than 63,000 digitally 
recorded textbooks and literature titles – 
delivered through internet downloads, various 
assistive technology devices, and CD – is the 
largest of its kind in the world. More than 5,400 
volunteers across the U.S. help to record and 
process the books, which students rely on to 
achieve educational success and entry into the 
workforce. RFB&D, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is funded 
by grants from the U.S. Department of Education, 
state and local education programs, and the 
generous contributions of individuals, 
foundations and corporations. For more 
information, call (866) 732-3585 or visit http://www.rfbd.org].

About gh, LLC
gh, LLC is an award-winning assistive technology 
company providing access to information for 
people with a visual, learning or physical 
disability, whether they are reading a textbook, 
publication, standardized test, or website. 
Conversion services include Braille, tactile 
graphics, Digital Talking Books, and NIMAS 
formats. For more information on gh, LLC, click here.

Contact: Doug Sprei, Director of Media Relations
dsprei(at)rfbd(dot)org; (202) 684-8915

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Contact Information
Doug Sprei, Director of Media Relations
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
<http://www.rfbd.org>http://www.rfbd.org
202-684-8915