[Nfb-science] several questions on accessible textbooks

[Tara Annis]

I'm going  back to school for  a second Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and also doing some research at my job related to other STEM subjects.  So, I have questions:

*Is there  any place I can  borrow a braille high school/college physics  and Chemistry braille textbook with diagrams?  Is there a way to borrow an organic chemistry book with tactile diagrams? I guess I should ask first, if an organic chemistry braile book has even been created.  I saw a  section on National Braille Press web site that talked about borrowing, and it gave libraries across the country, but most of the books were in other formats.   Have any of you used their site to borrow braille books?  Do you know of any DSS office that keeps the braille books after students are  done with them, after the semester ends that they would be  willing to lend out?

*Do you know of an accessible electronic version of a high school/college chemistry and mathematics (algebra 2, algebra 3, calculus, trig) books, one that has the correct nemeth code?  I can try these in other formats besides hardcopy braille since there aren't any tactile diagrams I need to look at, just the equations. I have some from bookshare, but they don't have the correct nemeth.  (Yes, I have math player installed but still no luck)


*If I take the image file version (as opposed to DAISY) of STEM books found in bookshare and then scan with openbook to make into text, can I then cut/paste this file into Duxbury or Tiger Braille translator software to make the correct Nemeth?  It seems that the STEM books on Bookshare are not  proofread thoroughly for the BRF versions, maybe just ran through the translator once?  I'm not sure; do you all know their protocol?
I'm also going to try and take the image file bookshare ones and run through the Infty reader and chatty program, but am just learning how to use so keep you all posted on success.   

*Basically, I'm wanting to have a resource list of accessible  STEM textbooks, as you all know, is much less extensive than other subjects  ebooks. I already know of Learning Ally, bookshare, NLS, CorseSmart, and Purdue.   If there aren't any other vendors, do you know of a really good   braille transcription  agency  that produces STEM  materials accurately?  


I may be able to borrow an opticon from a friend to try  using with standard print diagrams.  Have any of you all used this technology?  Is it helpful?

Thanks,
Tara