[il-talk] Learning Ally New App

[Robert Hansen]

I like the Learning Ally books to download them and put them on my Victor reader stream. I was not a huge fan of their app. I'm glad they made the app for those that want it, but when it comes to books I prefer the Victor reader stream. Bookshare does have an app called go read, and it does work. And it's available for Android and Apple phones. I know it's available for Android phones. And it works ok. But that $119 thing is a bit outrageous. But they probably have to raise money somehow. Probably the grant money and the other kind of money they get helps out mostly who knows.

sincerely,

Robert A Hansen

www.wzrdchicago.org
WZRD 88.3 FM CHICAGO

Sent on my Virgin Mobile Phone.

On Oct 4, 2016 5:17 PM, Joshua Hendrickson via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I used to use learning ALLY when I was at college.  However, I find it 
> hard for an organization that is supposed to help the blind and 
> others, could charge $119 per year to download their books if you 
> don't have a life time membership which they haven't offered in some 
> years.  I'm very glad that bookshare is free to college students or 
> those who are in grades 1-12.  Since bookshare has a lot of textbooks, 
> I'd rather use them then learning ally.  I would also agree, getting 
> the books in daisy format would be easier then using an ap. 
>
> On 10/4/16, Sharon Howerton via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote: 
> > Dan, I have a former student who works for Learning Ally. I sent your 
> > message to her; she said it was most helpful. Though she does not work on 
> > the apps, she is aware of the problems and is anxious that the app be 
> > accessible to all particularly the blind and visually impaired since she is 
> > blind, too. 
> > Sharon 
> > 
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: IL-Talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Tevelde 
> > via IL-Talk 
> > Sent: Monday, October 03, 2016 8:53 PM 
> > To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List 
> > Cc: Dan Tevelde 
> > Subject: [il-talk] Learning Ally New App 
> > 
> > Hello All, 
> > I have a lifetime membership with Learning Ally and do sometimes listen to 
> > their books.  Last week they announced that they have a new IOS app called 
> > Learning Ally Link which should be used to read their books.  They will not 
> > be supporting their old app, Learning Ally after December.  I would 
> > recommend not installing the new app until it works better with VoiceOver. 
> > The app is unstable and the video demo Learning Ally did doesn't even use 
> > VoiceOver in the demo. 
> > I sent them a long list of suggestions for improving the app and also how 
> > to 
> > make their website more accessible.  They did call me and said that they 
> > would take my feedback in mind but made excuses that their resources are 
> > limited and that they need to make their services available to their entire 
> > reading population.  I tried to explain to them that accessibility for the 
> > blind wouldn't take anything away from someone else.  It's pretty obvious 
> > that they don't understand the issues, and didn't take the time to test 
> > their new app.  I tried to educate the person I spoke to about the 
> > requirements of WCAG 2.0 level a accessibility.  In plain language what 
> > this 
> > means is that computer app and websites need to be made usable with all 
> > assistive technologies including any screenreader, Braille display, 
> > browser, 
> > or anything else someone wants to use. 
> > I would encourage anyone who uses their services to complain to them.  If 
> > anyone wants to talk with me about the issues, send me a personal e-mail. 
> > 
> > Thanks, 
> > Dan 
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone 
> > 
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> > 
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>
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