[nabs-l] Learning ally and their decision to cut cds
Robin
robin-melvin at comcast.net
Wed May 13 01:08:56 UTC 2015
There is always the option of utilizing
LearningAlly's ReadHear software, which I hear is
available for both MAC OSX & PC
With LearningAlly's ReadHear, you have the option
of listening to Books with either TTS and/or NarratedVoice(s)
There are also other useful functions such as,
HighLighting Text for LowVision users as I
haven't yet uncovered how to utilize this since I'm TotallyBlind
LearningAlly's ReadHear comes with a Built IN
UserGuide, which can be accessed by a couple of KeyStroke Commands
At 05:39 PM 5/12/2015, you wrote:
>Hi Ashley. I agree with you regarding this
>matter! I actually try to use the Download book
>manager four years ago, but i was not able to
>do it with JAWS either. Now I'm using the
>Learning Ally app, and I think it is accessible
>when you are trying to download the books and
>reading them, but sometimes it is annoying when
>it comes to flick right and left with VoiceOver
>in order to find a specific chapter or section
>of the book though. But I do like the CDS
>better since they are easier to access! I'm also
>old fashion! as well! so i understand what you
>mean. And I can't believe they are taking them
>away! I can't believe it! I'm definitely going
>to try to send them a letter to the person
>incharge of it, if you tell me his or her
>email. Or the address where the letter should
>go! I'm with you! Actually, I'm going to
>continue to use the Learning Ally service for
>this fall semester! I look forward in hearing
>from you soon. Thanks and God bless! Helga
>Schreiber Fundraiser Coordinator for Phi Theta
>Kappa, Alpha Delta Iota chapter. Member of
>National Federation of the Blind and Florida
>Association of Blind Students. Member of the
>International Networkers Team (INT). Independent
>Entrepreneur of the Company 4Life Research.
>Phone: (561) 706-5950 Email:
>helga.schreiber26 at gmail.com Skype:
>helga.schreiber26 4Life Website:
>http://helgaschreiber.my4life.com/1/default.aspx
>INT Website: http://int4life.com/ "For God so
>loved the world that he gave his one and only
>Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
>perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 Sent
>from my iPhone > On May 12, 2015, at 7:36 PM,
>Ashley Bramlett via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>wrote: > > Hi all, > > I would like to express
>my views about Learning Allyâs recent
>decision. > I was informed of this today in
>their email newsletter. > > The announcement is
>that Learning ally will phase out cds. > They
>will produce and honor requests for only two
>more months. > > They say that most people use
>mobile devices > and the internet to access
>material and they say that new technology offers
>them the ability to add text to the narration. >
>Learning ally is no ally to blind people. blind
>people cannot read the text anyway! > Not all
>blind people have the skills and resources to
>access downloads. > > They make this
>announcement without stakeholder input. They
>donât care about some users who need or want
>cds. > > What is your thoughts? > > I have to
>say I am very disappointed. > > I am a skilled
>pc user and can access books via high speed
>internet. > So why is it a problem and huge
>concern? > > Well, here is why. > > > > 1. I
>have used the cds and they are rather user
>friendly; since they came out in 2007, I have
>enjoyed the high audio quality and easy
>navigation with my victor wave and now victor
>stratus. > I can pop in cds easily and not have
>to be concerned with other technology. > > 2. I
>have experienced numerous accessibility issues
>with their download book manager. Jaws is not
>reading all the pop up screens. It is so
>challenging to figure out that I had to call
>them and have someone spend a long time with me
>to set it up. > I use the book manager but have
>relied on cds as my preference. > > 3. Using the
>book manager is frustrating as you have to
>select all the check boxes to sinc your books to
>the thumb drive. > > 4. I am concerned this
>leaves out less tech savvy people and not to
>mention those who do not have a mobile device. >
>If I have trouble with their website and using
>my account, Iâm sure others do too. > And,
>Iâve heard the learning ally I-device ap
>isnât all that friendly. > > 5. Learning Ally
>is only catoring to those high functioning
>people who can use technology and afford it. >
>Learning ally is no ally. > > They justify this
>decision by the cost factor. Also they say a
>majority of the service is now accessed online
>and by mobile devices. > > What of those who
>cannot download books at home? I know schools
>have teachers of the vision impaired get cds and
>give them to students. What will they do now? >
>Download books for students, I guess, and give
>them USB drives. > > I may sound old fashioned,
>but another reason I love using cds is because
>they have one book on them with a braille
>label. > When I use digital books on a storage
>device, I cannot remember which storage device
>has which books on it! And I love the
>simplicity of one book on that cd rather than
>navigating , say, 20 books on the usb drive, and
>I have to find the right book shelf too when
>using my victor reader machine. > > I urge
>anyone opposed to this draconion measure to
>write letters of protest to Learning ally who is
>no ally to blind people and now no ally to those
>who cannot operate technology with an internet
>connection. > > thanks for reading. > > Ashley >
>_______________________________________________ >
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