[nabs-l] A national standard, obtaining electronic text
Bridgit Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com
Sun Feb 6 20:29:04 UTC 2011
Joshua,
Many departments for the blind are only required to purchase a note
taker or a computer. I trained in Iowa and they were going to purchase
me both a PAC Mate and laptop with JAWS, but I moved to Nebraska before
I started school again and here, they would only purchase me one or the
other.
A lot of this depends on funding and placement of funding. Directors
need to actively focus on gaining funding for necessary programs and
services as well as working to properly distributed that funding where
it will benefit clients the most.
If in this situation, I would advise students choose a laptop, or
netbook (which is what I use) so you have the ability to take notes as
well as complete assignments. It does make using Braille a problem, but
some universities will supply Braille material if requested. My DSO
outsources, but they can get my material in Braille.
Also, I recommend purchasing your own technology if possible. I know
much of it is expensive, but often necessary. Since going back to
university, I have had to buy my own Victor Stream and I recently bought
my Netbook for the convenience factor due to its size. If possible, do
what you can to save up so you can buy any equipment you feel is
necessary. Remember, not everything will be cheap in life and we will
not always be clients of institutions that will purchase technology and
material for us.
I know what it is like to be a struggling college student so please do
not take my comments as any criticism, but just as advice. I am a
non-traditional student now, but I have been there-- hell, I'm still
there! LOL
Bridgit
Message: 14
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 08:21:45 -0600
From: Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
To: "\\National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
text
Message-ID:
<AANLkTimQ1U-b+bZ3nFD=D_sz0A2RCFMko2_qCq5G=CHy at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
All they have done is get a computer and the Jaws software. That's only
for me to use at home. It won't help me take notes in class. Blessings,
Joshua
On 2/6/11, Ignasi Cambra <ignasicambra at gmail.com> wrote:
> If the division of services for the blind is not even getting a
> notetaker for you, what are they planning on helping with? This must
> be frustrating...
>
> IC
> On Feb 5, 2011, at 11:42 PM, Joshua Lester wrote:
>
>> Ashley, I can't get the Division of Services for the Blind of
>> Arkansas to pay for a note taker. Do you know where I can get a good
>> deal on a Pac Mate? I'm using readers and audiobooks, as well. I hate
>> doing it that way. I'm also an evangelist, which makes it extra hard.
>> I need the Bible in Braille. I have it in book form, but that's too
>> many volumes. I need a Pac Mate so I can download it from Bookshare.
>> Arkansas doesn't, (to my knowledge,) have a NLS library. Blessings,
>> Joshua
>>
>> On 2/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> wrote:
>>> Joshua,
>>> You can obtain braille books through web braille sponsored by NLS
>>> and read that way if you have a braille display on a notetaker or
>>> you can get braille
>>> books from your NLS regional library.
>>> I'd encourage you to read and keep up your braille skills; no braile
>>> since
>>> convention is a long time!
>>> I also agree that braille texts in college would be wonderful
especially
>>> for
>>> english classes where you need to read more carefully for analysis
and
>>> getting quotes.
>>> But braille is seldom available but some universities will give you
>>> braille
>>> for math and science if you really push for it.
>>>
>>> Nicole, I also agree we need a national standard as to what DRCs are
>>> supposed to provide. Again, I believe most universities/colleges do
>>> scan books or obtain books from publishers; its just that nova
>>> doesn't because they have not bought those resources. Heck they do
>>> not even have an updated jaws. Its rediculous services are lacking.
>>> I'm using readers since I can't get books in accessible format.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 10:33 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
>>> text
>>>
>>> You are all talking about scanning books. I wish we could go back to
>>> Braille. The sad thing is, that I haven't read any Braille since the
>>> NFB convention. They don't offer college textbooks in Braille in
>>> Arkansas. This drives me mad! If our textbooks were available on
>>> Bookshare, I'd get them. Blessings, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 2/5/11, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>> And it is things like this that are the reason that I think that
>>>> there should be some kind of national standard or at least
>>>> guidelines as to what DRC's should provide.
>>>>
>>>> Nicole
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:45 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Brigitte,
>>>>> That is great the DSO helps you and scans chapters as needed. That
>>>>> is what
>>>>>
>>>>> upsets me too. The largest community college in VA does not have
>>>>> the ability to scan books; or that's what I'm told! They say that
>>>>> they don't have the software such as Abby fine reader or Omni pro,
>>>>> I think that's the
>>>>>
>>>>> name, to scan books for students!
>>>>> Its so rediculous. Oh they also do not belong to a database that
>>>>> allows universities/colleges to share scanned books!
>>>>> I think its called Access text. George Mason university, the
nearest
>>>>> four
>>>>> year college, belongs and does what your school does, scans books
for
>>>>> students as long as they purchased a book.
>>>>> Of course I use RFB and like you prefer the
>>>>> live voice too over speech. I also have used NLS and BARd on rare
>>>>> ocassions because they have novels, not textbooks; but sometimes
for
>>>>> english or history classes that require readings like that NLS has
come
>>>>> in
>>>>>
>>>>> handy.
>>>>> For instance I read the Prince, The Cruicible, and part of Death
>>>>> of a salesman that way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Glad to know about your college; sounds like its standard practice
>>>>> for DSOs to scan books and either put them on CD or send them to
>>>>> the student via email.
>>>>> That is how it was at Marymount. They scanned by the chapter.
Not so
>>>>> at
>>>>> Nova though.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:23 PM
>>>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/bookwormahb%40ea
rthlink.net
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/ntorcolini%40wav
ecable.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:
>>>>
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udents.pccua.edu
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
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>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> students.pccua.edu
>
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 10:20:10 -0500
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
text
Message-ID: <26C533718DE6492E8601C7E3BDB9D3EC at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi joshua,
That's bad; how do they expect you to write notes for your own study and
in
class? Get a notetaker like a braille note and if your counselor says
no,
go above her.
A computer is not portable unless you get a laptop, but I'd recommend a
notetaker anyway for its portability and battery life.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Joshua Lester
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 9:21 AM
To: \National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic text
All they have done is get a computer and the Jaws software. That's only
for me to use at home. It won't help me take notes in class. Blessings,
Joshua
On 2/6/11, Ignasi Cambra <ignasicambra at gmail.com> wrote:
> If the division of services for the blind is not even getting a
> notetaker for you, what are they planning on helping with? This must
> be frustrating...
>
> IC
> On Feb 5, 2011, at 11:42 PM, Joshua Lester wrote:
>
>> Ashley, I can't get the Division of Services for the Blind of
>> Arkansas to pay for a note taker. Do you know where I can get a good
>> deal on a Pac Mate? I'm using readers and audiobooks, as well. I hate
>> doing it that way. I'm also an evangelist, which makes it extra hard.
>> I need the Bible in Braille. I have it in book form, but that's too
>> many volumes. I need a Pac Mate so I can download it from Bookshare.
>> Arkansas doesn't, (to my knowledge,) have a NLS library. Blessings,
>> Joshua
>>
>> On 2/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> wrote:
>>> Joshua,
>>> You can obtain braille books through web braille sponsored by NLS
>>> and read that way if you have a braille display on a notetaker or
>>> you can get braille
>>> books from your NLS regional library.
>>> I'd encourage you to read and keep up your braille skills; no braile
>>> since
>>> convention is a long time!
>>> I also agree that braille texts in college would be wonderful
especially
>>> for
>>> english classes where you need to read more carefully for analysis
and
>>> getting quotes.
>>> But braille is seldom available but some universities will give you
>>> braille
>>> for math and science if you really push for it.
>>>
>>> Nicole, I also agree we need a national standard as to what DRCs are
>>> supposed to provide. Again, I believe most universities/colleges do
>>> scan books or obtain books
>>> from publishers; its just that nova doesn't because they have not
bought
>>> those resources. Heck they do not even have an updated jaws. Its
>>> rediculous services are lacking.
>>> I'm using readers since I can't get books in accessible format.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 10:33 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
>>> text
>>>
>>> You are all talking about scanning books. I wish we could go back to
>>> Braille. The sad thing is, that I haven't read any Braille since the
>>> NFB convention. They don't offer college textbooks in Braille in
>>> Arkansas. This drives me mad! If our textbooks were available on
>>> Bookshare, I'd get them. Blessings, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 2/5/11, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>> And it is things like this that are the reason that I think that
>>>> there should be some kind of national standard or at least
>>>> guidelines as to what DRC's should provide.
>>>>
>>>> Nicole
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:45 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Brigitte,
>>>>> That is great the DSO helps you and scans chapters as needed. That
>>>>> is what
>>>>>
>>>>> upsets me too. The largest community college in VA does not have
>>>>> the ability to scan books; or that's what I'm told! They say that
>>>>> they don't have the software such as Abby fine reader or Omni pro,
>>>>> I think that's the
>>>>>
>>>>> name, to scan books for students!
>>>>> Its so rediculous. Oh they also do not belong to a database that
>>>>> allows universities/colleges to share scanned books!
>>>>> I think its called Access text. George Mason university, the
nearest
>>>>> four
>>>>> year college, belongs and does what your school does, scans books
for
>>>>> students as long as they purchased a book.
>>>>> Of course I use RFB and like you prefer the
>>>>> live voice too over speech. I also have used NLS and BARd on rare
>>>>> ocassions because they have novels, not textbooks; but sometimes
for
>>>>> english or history classes that require readings like that NLS has
>>>>> come
>>>>> in
>>>>>
>>>>> handy.
>>>>> For instance I read the Prince, The Cruicible, and part of Death
>>>>> of a salesman that way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Glad to know about your college; sounds like its standard practice
>>>>> for DSOs to scan books and either put them on CD or send them to
>>>>> the student via email.
>>>>> That is how it was at Marymount. They scanned by the chapter.
Not so
>>>>> at
>>>>> Nova though.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:23 PM
>>>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/bookwormahb%40ea
rthlink.net
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/ntorcolini%40wav
ecable.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/jlester8462%40st
udents.pccua.edu
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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:
>>>
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rthlink.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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:
>>>
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udents.pccua.edu
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> 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:
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>> 40gmail.com
>
>
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>
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------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:19:22 -0500
From: Jorge Paez <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
text
Message-ID: <2F10387A-B15D-4F10-B7F0-C99DA3F1F7DB at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Aren't they required to do that by law though?
On Feb 6, 2011, at 1:33 AM, Joshua Lester wrote:
> I'm attending Phillips Community College in DeWitt, Arkansas. The
> Department of Services for the Blind won't pay to get me a Pac Mate.
> I've gone down that road. They're immovable. I'm tired of them. When
> they do decide to help me, they're too slow about getting it done. The
> DSB should stand for, "dumb scam for the blind." Blessings, Joshua
>
> On 2/6/11, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
> wrote:
>> Are you going to college in your home state? Does your home state
>> have a department of services for the blind?
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 8:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
>> text
>>
>>
>>> Joshua,
>>> You can obtain braille books through web braille sponsored by NLS
>>> and read
>>>
>>> that way if you have a braille display on a notetaker or you can get
>>> braille books from your NLS regional library. I'd encourage you to
>>> read and keep up your braille skills; no braile since
>>>
>>> convention is a long time!
>>> I also agree that braille texts in college would be wonderful
>>> especially for english classes where you need to read more carefully
>>> for analysis and
>>>
>>> getting quotes.
>>> But braille is seldom available but some universities will give you
>>> braille for math and science if you really push for it.
>>>
>>> Nicole, I also agree we need a national standard as to what DRCs are
>>> supposed to provide. Again, I believe most universities/colleges do
>>> scan books or obtain books from publishers; its just that nova
>>> doesn't because they have not bought those resources. Heck they do
>>> not even have an updated jaws. Its rediculous services are lacking.
>>> I'm using readers since I can't get books in accessible format.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 10:33 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic
>>> text
>>>
>>> You are all talking about scanning books. I wish we could go back to
>>> Braille. The sad thing is, that I haven't read any Braille since the
>>> NFB convention. They don't offer college textbooks in Braille in
>>> Arkansas. This drives me mad! If our textbooks were available on
>>> Bookshare, I'd get them. Blessings, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 2/5/11, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>> And it is things like this that are the reason that I think that
>>>> there should be some kind of national standard or at least
>>>> guidelines as to what DRC's should provide.
>>>>
>>>> Nicole
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:45 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Brigitte,
>>>>> That is great the DSO helps you and scans chapters as needed. That
>>>>> is what
>>>>>
>>>>> upsets me too. The largest community college in VA does not have
>>>>> the ability to scan books; or that's what I'm told! They say that
>>>>> they don't have the software such as Abby fine reader or Omni pro,
>>>>> I think that's the
>>>>>
>>>>> name, to scan books for students!
>>>>> Its so rediculous. Oh they also do not belong to a database that
>>>>> allows universities/colleges to share scanned books! I think its
>>>>> called Access text. George Mason university, the nearest four
>>>>> year college, belongs and does what your school does, scans books
for
>>>>> students as long as they purchased a book.
>>>>> Of course I use RFB and like you prefer the
>>>>> live voice too over speech. I also have used NLS and BARd on rare
>>>>> ocassions because they have novels, not textbooks; but sometimes
for
>>>>> english or history classes that require readings like that NLS has
come
>>>>> in
>>>>>
>>>>> handy.
>>>>> For instance I read the Prince, The Cruicible, and part of Death
>>>>> of a salesman that way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Glad to know about your college; sounds like its standard practice
>>>>> for DSOs to scan books and either put them on CD or send them to
>>>>> the student via email. That is how it was at Marymount. They
>>>>> scanned by the chapter. Not so at
>>>>> Nova though.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:23 PM
>>>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> 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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>>>>
>>>>
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