[nabs-l] College Course Material: Accessible eTextBooks, Braille, and Tactile Graphics

Jorge Paez computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com
Sat Apr 2 16:30:39 UTC 2011


Wait-what do you mean by rental?


On Apr 2, 2011, at 11:59 AM, Kevin Chao wrote:

> Yes, it's platform, browser, and screen reader agnostic.
> I use it with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver (Mac OS X and iOS)
> This is what I've been using for past 6 months and would not even
> consider going back to status quo of:
> audio books, scanning books, and using human readers.
> 
> Equal access to an innovative eTextBook rental platform.
> 
> Kevin
> 
> On 4/2/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Is it accessible with both Voice Over and JFW?
>> 
>> 
>> On Apr 2, 2011, at 10:32 AM, Kevin Chao wrote:
>> 
>>> CourseSmart started work in Spring 2010 to be accessible to all,
>>> including those with print-disabilities.
>>> 
>>> I'll detail a brief timeline:
>>> * Spring and Summer 2010: lots of work went into making website,
>>> downloadable reader, and web reader accessible.
>>> * Fall 2010: Downloadable reader was made accessible; partnered with
>>> AMAC and AccessTextNetwork to form STudent E-Rental Pilot Project
>>> (STEPP) with a grant from Department of Education (DOE).
>>> * Springg2011: Web reader was made very accessible and includes
>>> remediation/tagging from AMAC.
>>> * Over next 2-years, STEPP with DOE funding will continue to work on
>>> affordable, accessible, innovative, and great eTextBook rental pilot
>>> project.
>>> 
>>> STEPP has many goals, including making eTextBooks a reality to all,
>>> including print-disabled, ADA and section 504 compliance, and
>>> streamlining process in this space.
>>> 
>>> CourseSmart has sample and full eTextBooks, which are fully accessible
>>> Due to publishers and DRM, there is one caveat. If using Web reader,
>>> in order  for book text to be accessible, one must email
>>> accessibility at coursesmart.com informing that one is a screen reader
>>> user and screen reader flag must be enabled. If this is not done,
>>> experience will be what sighted have, where book text is a picture of
>>> physical page.
>>> This  limitation does not exist if one is using downloadable reader.
>>> 
>>> Please for all questions, concerns, and suggestions about CourseSmart
>>> accessibility:
>>> accessibility at coursesmart.com
>>> is an absolutely fantastic contact.
>>> 
>>> Kevin
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 4/1/11, Valerie Gibson <valandkayla at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> 
>>>> I've tried using coursesmart and one of their online books about a year
>>>> ago,
>>>> and it wasn't accessible on mac or windows.
>>>> Valerie Gibson
>>>> Check out my facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/puppyLove3
>>>> or follow me on twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/valerie_gibson
>>>> Skype me at: WolfDragonVal
>>>> I'm also  on windowslive messenger: valandkayla at gmail.com
>>>> 
>>>> On Apr 1, 2011, at 9:20 PM, Greg Wocher wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Hello Kevin,
>>>>> That is strange.  I tried using an online book from there a few months
>>>>> ago
>>>>> and I could not get it to work at all.  How did you get it to work?  I
>>>>> could not find any of the text for the book I tried.
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Greg W.
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Chao" <kevinchao89 at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 3:00 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] College Course Material: Accessible eTextBooks,
>>>>> Braille,and Tactile Graphics
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Online is most accessible and actively developed
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:55 PM, "Greg Wocher" <gwblindman1 at gwblindman.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello Kevin,
>>>>>>> I have been looking at course smart for a little bit now.  Do you use
>>>>>>> their online books or do you use their downloadable reader?
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> Greg W.
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Chao"
>>>>>>> <kevinchao89 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 2:36 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] College Course Material: Accessible eTextBooks,
>>>>>>> Braille, and Tactile Graphics
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Yes, I've used CourseSmart and AMAC and find them to be absolutely
>>>>>>>> invaluable resources.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> The various aspects that I really enjoy about CourseSmart and AMAC
>>>>>>>> will be detailed below.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> CourseSmart
>>>>>>>> * Mainstream access to eTextBooks
>>>>>>>> * Affordable, timely, and true access
>>>>>>>> * in-book, chapter, or section searches.
>>>>>>>> *Very effectively and easily  navigate table of contents (chapters,
>>>>>>>> sections, etc)
>>>>>>>> * Jump to specific page
>>>>>>>> * Highly tagged/marked-up: headings 1-5 for structured navigation,
>>>>>>>> alttext for description of graphics, table for formatted
>>>>>>>> representation of data, and lists for nicely formatted bullet points.
>>>>>>>> * Accessibility at CourseSmart.com is extremely committed, fast, and
>>>>>>>> great about resolving  everything.
>>>>>>>> * Works with Windows (NVDA and JAWS); Mac OS X and iOS (VoiceOver);
>>>>>>>> Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC)
>>>>>>>> * DSS, institutions, organizations, and companies have no excuse to
>>>>>>>> provide braille, tactile graphics, or other alternative media.
>>>>>>>> * Affordable, timely, and extremely high-quality
>>>>>>>> * Fantastic and wonderful support
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Kevin
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On 4/1/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Has anyone used either of these two products discussed below?
>>>>>>>>> If so, did you find them accessible and easy to use?
>>>>>>>>> Arielle
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On 4/1/11, Kevin Chao <kevinchao89 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> I would like to share two fantastic resources for any college
>>>>>>>>>> student
>>>>>>>>>> or instructor, which I think should be advocated for, encouraged,
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> utilized by all.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Like most, I've used human readers, scanned books, used RFB&D, and
>>>>>>>>>> worked with disabled students services to get eTextBooks from
>>>>>>>>>> publisher. All these things served their purposes and time, and
>>>>>>>>>> it's
>>>>>>>>>> time to move on.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> In fall of 2010, I broke away from the status quo, which includes:
>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>> using RFB&D, not scanning textbooks,  and not having to be so
>>>>>>>>>> reliant
>>>>>>>>>> on disabled student services. Two companies have made this
>>>>>>>>>> possible:
>>>>>>>>>> CourseSmart and AMAC.  This has allowed equal access, independence,
>>>>>>>>>> and a true forward studying experience.  It's never been possible
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> us as blind students, instructors, or even providers to use an
>>>>>>>>>> innovative eTextBook service.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> * CourseSmart for mainstream, accessible, and highly marked-up 60%
>>>>>>>>>> off
>>>>>>>>>> eTextBooks
>>>>>>>>>> * Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) for affordable,
>>>>>>>>>> high-quality,
>>>>>>>>>> and efficient braille and tactile graphics for textbooks, exams,
>>>>>>>>>> handouts, assignments, etc
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.CourseSmart.com is a mainstream accessible eTextBook
>>>>>>>>>> rental
>>>>>>>>>> service, which all students can take advantage of. This includes
>>>>>>>>>> students with or without print-related disabilities (blind, low
>>>>>>>>>> vision, learning disabled).
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.amac.uga.edu Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) will
>>>>>>>>>> work with institutions to provide braille, tactile graphics, and
>>>>>>>>>> remediated eText. AMAC has very high-quality and standards and will
>>>>>>>>>> lift
>>>>>>>>>> stress off DSS, allowing DSS to focus on providing service, not
>>>>>>>>>> content.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> This is the now and future of how students, instructors, and all in
>>>>>>>>>> post-secondary education will obtain, work with, and enjoy
>>>>>>>>>> accessible
>>>>>>>>>> course material.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Kevin
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>>>>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>>>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>>>>>>>>> Email:
>>>>>>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> Website:
>>>>>>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kevinchao89%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gwblindman1%40gwblindman.org
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kevinchao89%40gmail.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gwblindman1%40gwblindman.org
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kevinchao89%40gmail.com
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/computertechjorgepaez%40gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kevinchao89%40gmail.com
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/computertechjorgepaez%40gmail.com





More information about the NABS-L mailing list