[nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text

Sat Feb 5 23:30:08 UTC 2011

Breaking up a PDF might not be a problem. However, especially if there is a 
reasonably large number of other students with disabilities, the office 
might not want to convert a PDF to a word document if it is readable with 
Jaws without conversion. If you don't want to deal with the PDF and have 
Kurzweil, you can run the document through the virtual printer. This works 
better than saving as text because the formatting is not lost. Also, if the 
PDF is protected, I don't think that you can save it as text.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 3:23 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text

>I know each Disability Office is different, but I try to involve myself
> as much as possible in the process.  With PDF documents that are long, I
> request they be broken up by chapter, or at least in smaller sections.
> I have said I prefer Word documents, and they do what they can, but of
> course I can not get everything in Word.
>
> We also look for text available in all formats like RFBD, Book Share and
> we contact the publishers directly sometimes.  A lot of times, I
> purchase books and the DSO scans them.  Usually they send them by the
> chapter.  I either receive emails with attachments for material, or they
> use a feature on Blackboard called the X drive where I can download the
> material.
>
> I do use NLS and BARD at times, but usually in conjunction with
> electronic copies since page numbers are not listed for NLS books.  It
> is nice to have a live voice narrating over an electronic one, though I
> have grown use to JAWS's drone!
>
> Book Share was an adjustment for me because I use the text files on my
> Victor Stream because I have a nerve condition and Braille is not always
> the most efficient method.  The text files sound funny at times, but now
> that I am use to it, it is actually nice because, like other electronic
> versions, I can read line by line, para by para, spell words and other
> features similar to how we use computers.  I download Book Share files
> on my own at home.  Funny story though.  My DSO thought Book Share was a
> software you downloaded, they didn't realize, one, you needed a
> membership, and two, it required a device like a Victor and/or Braille
> display.  In fact, they thought the software was the Victor Stream.  I
> had to explain this to them.
>
> Again, each DSO has their format for gathering and distributing
> material, but be aware of how other institutions do things so you can
> make suggestions, and do not hesitate to make request; the worse they
> can do is say no.  Also, try to be knowledgeable of different options so
> you can be helpful with methods that may be unfamiliar to your DSO, or
> at least know someone who can provide this information.
>
> Bridgit
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 15:06:08 -0500
> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] obtaining electronic texts
> Message-ID: <AE27D4778D98498EAD071EAC711B091B at Cptr233>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Wow that seems very complicated. My college has me sign a form, they
> request the book, and then it comes from the publisher on a CD as a PDF
> file. Last semester that was not sucha good thing, as the PDF was huge
> and very hard to handle. I converted it to a Text file and then it was
> all good. I got another book this way again this semester. Haven't had
> to do much with it so I don't know what it is like.
>
> Sorry your college way is so complicated.
>
> Marsha
>
>
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