[NFBWV-Talk] information only

Sun Oct 8 15:45:15 UTC 2023

It is very sad to hear that WV is going to have the Zoomax readers. I along with my friend Liz who now works for NLS in DC received these devices when they became available to Massachusetts last year. I myself would say I'm reasonable with tech, and Liz is an expert as a tech instructor both struggled when setting up our devices. We both had issues connecting to our wifi network and other basic setup issues.
Donna had asked my opinion and I specifically warned her that the elderly and less techy individuals in the state would really struggle. I hope I'm proven wrong and these EReaders work better now. I returned the zoommax after just a few months. I found I would never use it.
I really hope you guys find them useful, and not troublesome. I have a BI 20x now should I want braille, and it's the perfect solution for me personally.

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWV-Talk <nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ed McDonald via NFBWV-Talk
Sent: Sunday, October 8, 2023 9:55 AM
To: NFB of West Virginia Discussion List <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ed McDonald <ed at eioproductions.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBWV-Talk] information only

I would add here that there has indeed been discussion of this matter during the two most recent meetings of the NFBWV Members at Large Chapter. Donna Calvert at the WV library initially sought input from us following her receipt of requests/demands for the Humanware E-reader from a number of patrons. The chapter sent a letter to Donna, urging that she share patron concerns with NLS, and I understand that she did that. In a subsequent phone conversation with me, Donna shared essentially the same information that Dave offered in his post: " When a given Library comes up to receive eReaders, they are assigned the Humanware or Zoomax reader, depending on what is available at that time." She explained further that part of the rationale for this approach is that state library staff would thus need training in the use of only one device--training that would enable them to offer technical support to patrons when they received their e-reader. Donna added that if West Virginia chose to reject the Zoomax machines and wait for the availability of Humanware units, we would likely not receive any e-readers until well into 2024.

The chapter discussed the matter further during the September meeting and concluded--by consensus, not by motion--that patrons would be better served by accepting and working with the Zoomax devices now. Otherwise, all WV patrons would be deprived of e-readers until next year.

I have no personal experience with either device, but I agree with Dave that some may have concluded that the Zoomax units are inferior without having tried them. 

I applaud Donna for her efforts to get patron input. I would also be interested in learning of the experiences of those West Virginia patrons who are using e-readers.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWV-Talk <nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David Andrews via NFBWV-Talk
Sent: Sunday, October 8, 2023 12:32 AM
To: NFB of West Virginia Discussion List <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>; NFB of West Virginia Discussion List <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: David Andrews <dandrews920 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBWV-Talk] information only

I would say a few things here.

First, the eReaders did have a pilot test. 
Libraries could opt in if they wanted, and offer it to their patrons.

Secondly, the Library, and its individual patrons do not get to pick what eReader they get. When a given Library comes up to receive eReaders, they are assigned the Humanware or Zoomax reader, depending on what is available at that time. 
Most, but not all Libraries get the Humanware model.

Without trying it, I think people are being judgmental in deciding the Zoomax is inferior and they don't want it.

Remember, NLS is providing you with a device that probably costs $1500, for free!

Dave

At 10:04 PM 10/7/2023, Chad Keeney via NFBWV-Talk wrote:
>Karen, My initial reply wasn't meant to cause you distress so I 
>apologize for that. Having been my experience that Blind folk are not 
>given options at times and feel like they have to settle for an 
>inferior product or service strikes a bad chord with me, which was what 
>I gathered from your message. My stance was from an advocacy 
>standpoint. To Charlene I agree it's unfortunate that those here that 
>would use and benefit from this technology were not sought out for 
>testing and feedback if that is the case.
>Two emails from the listserv in a row that didn't go to spam, on a 
>roll. Sent from Yahoo
>Mail - Shop Smart, Shop Organized   On Sat, Oct 
>7, 2023 at 10:37 PM, cs.nfbwv via
>NFBWV-Talk<nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> 
>wrote:   Karen, I donâ€™t think you said 
>anything wrong. You were just expressing your opinion. It is 
>unfortunate that West Virginia didnâ€™t get to test the brand that they 
>prefer.
>Hopefully, the Library will choose to go with the Humanware brand. 
>Charlene. Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> 
>________________________________ From:
>NFBWV-Talk <nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Karen Swauger 
>via NFBWV-Talk <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023
>8:56:59 PM To: nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> Cc:
>karenswauger134 at gmail.com
><karenswauger134 at gmail.com> Subject: 
>[NFBWV-Talk] information only I am sorry if I conveyed something wrong 
>in my message. my only reason for writing was to let people know that 
>West Virginia's are receiving our e-readers. any thing else that I 
>wrote were my thoughts only I was just making conversation. I guess I 
>shouldn't have said anything more than the fact that the e-readers are 
>on their way!
>_______________________________________________
>NFBWV-Talk mailing list NFBWV-Talk at nfbnet.org 
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwv-talk_nfbnet.org

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