[nabs-l] Learning ally and their decision to cut cds

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 Allyâ€™s 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 
>donâ€™t 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, Iâ€™m sure others do too. > And, 
>Iâ€™ve heard the learning ally I-device ap 
>isnâ€™t 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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