[Faith-talk] Accessible faith resources for all ages

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi,

I think we have a good idea here for a conference call!
Not all of us know what Optasia does or how it works. I was aware of them 
for years, but since I want specific study bibles, I did not yet see the 
need to sign up. I've definitely thought of getting connected though.
I know Tom explained the formats but not details about how you acquire them. 
I am assuming you acquire files from a downloadable section of your online 
account.
I would also guess Optasia Ministry works similar to Learning Ally in that 
you get a packet of zipped files and have to download them and then unzip 
them. Once unzipped, you would read the Word files like any other Word file.
I'd love to learn more about that service. I have to say that one positive 
thing about Optasia ministry I have is I was on their website and it is so 
screen reader friendly. I commend them for that!
Using the internet is not easy due to the way most sites are structured.
Many sites, including bookshare, are so cluttered with hundreds of links. 
Its not easy to find things. I am guessing if its hard via pc, its also hard 
on smart phones.

I think Optasia ministry would make a great topic for a call and they can 
demo how it works.
I realize that not everyone can access their service now, but it would be 
nice to know about it for future users.

As a computer user with jaws, I wish downloading things was not the only 
option.
Two leading sources for blindness material are digital only. You have to 
download bookshare and Learning ally books.
The trend is digital, digital, and digital. Did you know that this nonprofit 
that was called Recording for the Blind which is now called Learning Ally
used to offer daisy audio cds? The nonprofit recorded textbooks and other 
academic material such as classic literature. They used to take requests. 
They used to, as RFB, operate much like talking book libraries. You could 
call up a toll free number which was nice not to  use your long distance 
minutes to order books. They then sent your requests in the mail on CD and 
before that it was 4 track tapes.
Your requested books would be on daisy cds which were playable on a pc with 
daisy software such as fs reader or
another daisy audio player such as the victor reader vibe.
After you finished your books, you mailed them back just as you would mail 
back a talking book.
In my opinion , having used the cds and tapes provided by them for years, I 
believe this was an easier system. It did not require the user to have 
advanced tech skills to download the books and have a reliable internet 
connection.
For several years they provided cds upon request and downloadable books.
You had options. A year or two ago, Learning Ally took away the daisy cd 
option. Now all books are online only. You have to download them or read 
them online via an app on your smart phone or tablet.
I've heard the app is not as blind friendly as it should be.

We used to have a nonprofit here that recorded books for free on 4 track 
cassettes  in the next city over. With the trend toward digital books and 
phasing out of cassettes, it was impossible to operate. They were also 
getting less requests for books due to electronic texts. This nonprofit 
closed.
So, again, another option of accessible texts was taken from us.
To those without a way to connect to the internet, you are out of luck. And 
I guess that everyone having an Iphone and downloads all these books has a 
really great data plan or wifi connection. Over 90 percent of my NFB chapter 
has an Iphone but they also own pcs. When I asked how they download books on 
these phones, they said they use a wifi connection or use a pc. The wifi use 
then does not use up data plan minutes.

That is good news Ericka about the study bible.
Glad that they are working on brailling the Sunday school curriculum. In my 
church growing up, I was fortunate they could obtain
most sunday school texts for me in braille.

Computers are quite necessary and smart devices are increasingly needed; I 
think I'll have to try that tablet thing again when I save up money.
I think I'll get an ipod touch before an iphone.

I wish I could teach those people basic computer skills here who need it. 
But we live far away.
I think I could teach some things via phone, but not the basics as I need to 
show you how to use the commands.
I've offered to teach pc skills at one of the city talking book libraries. 
Not my talking book library, but I might do that if the need is there.

I assume the madison library has no one who can instruct blind patrons. In 
the DC area the DC talking book library has a great program for basic pc 
skills; they have classes and drop in days for tech help.
I think all library systems need an adaptive tech librarian and the software 
for blind and low vision people to use.
My public library branches do not have computers with adaptive technology. 
Only the Fairfax Access service branch has it since talking books is there.
They need to do what DC public library does.
But that is another rant I could go into which I will not.

Anyways, I'll try to make the next conference call.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Ericka via Faith-Talk
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2017 1:49 PM
To: Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and religion
Cc: Ericka
Subject: [Faith-talk] Accessible faith resources for all ages

The trend stinks Ashley! I don't have access to anything but my iPhone. And 
that's because of many reasons you stated in your court of yourself. When i 
saw you quoted  yourself that  cracked me up.

It doesn't matter that I can get to the Madison public library to use a 
computer. I don't know how. I mean I have very limited computer skills, not 
just don't know how to use speech software. Just the concept of downloading 
something from a computer to something else freaks me out. I want of those 
people that needs their hand held to learn the stuff. 20 years to learn 
uncontracted braille through Hadley shows how slow I am to learn things. 
I've never heard of this Optasia place until someone brought it up.

I just received a phone call today from Peter Heide who is working 
diligently withthe national  Council of churches to get a study Bible and 
the NRSV in both large print and braille. If anyone would like contact 
information for Peter I will give it to you off-line. He is also working 
with the sparks Sunday school curriculum developer to make Sunday school 
items accessible. Things come in PDF and congregations can enlarge the print 
now, but in the future they are going to work towards getting things in 
braille. This lady named Dawn, the developer, has special education 
background. What a blessing to have someone who understands in high places!

Ericka Short
>
_______________________________________________
Faith-Talk mailing list
Faith-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
Faith-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net