[nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
Bridgit Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com
Sun Feb 6 19:45:33 UTC 2011
For me, most material I have in PDF form, the DSO is able and willing to
break it into smaller sections. They never send me inaccessible PDF's
though which is great.
True, I don't like converting PDF documents into text files since it
loses its formatting. I have had problems, though, when I print then
scan PDF's on my own. Usually they scan okay, but not always especially
when they are downloaded from Blackboard because they often have
pictures or, of course, these are usually not readable with JAWS.
Fortunately, I have a wonderful DSO and they are willing to assist in
any way I need. Two of my classes this semester did not have most of
the required reading selected before hand, and the instructors are
posting the material in inaccessible PDF's on Blackboard. The DSO has
been allowed to have an administrative access so they can properly
format them.
Bridgit
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 17:23:07 -0600
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP147CB3ED9DAB1BD9B15F692C4E90 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
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
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 15:30:08 -0800
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini at Home" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
Message-ID: <892BA22451D6421785EB48095F968585 at stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Breaking up a PDF might not be a problem. However, especially if there
is a
reasonably large number of other students with disabilities, the office
might not want to convert a PDF to a word document if it is readable
with
Jaws without conversion. If you don't want to deal with the PDF and have
Kurzweil, you can run the document through the virtual printer. This
works
better than saving as text because the formatting is not lost. Also, if
the
PDF is protected, I don't think that you can save it as text.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 3:23 PM
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
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> nabs-l:
>
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ecable.com
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 17:47:22 -0600
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nabs-l] Computer science info
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP1716DC2AA4DDEEFF7A0E717C4E90 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Thank you so much for the info. I am asking on behalf of my husband,
Ross, who briefly minored in the topic years ago, and is considering
getting a second degree in computer science.
He has some foundational knowledge on the subject, but is looking to
learn more that may help him in the classroom.
This has been helpful, and I will let him know he can contact you for
more info.
Thanks.
Bridgit
Message: 25
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:03:32 -0700
From: "Joseph C. Lininger" <jbahm at pcdesk.net>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Looking for infoComputer programming
Message-ID: <4D4D1264.4020505 at pcdesk.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Howdy,
Sorry for my late arrival to this discussion, but I've been just a bit
busy with school and work.
The short answer is that not really all that much has changed in the
past 10 years or so as far as the computer science curriculum goes. The
exact tools used for teaching have changed some, but over all the topics
covered and the order in which they are covered really hasn't changed
much. That makes sense if you consider it a bit because while we have
had some major developments in technology, the foundations on which they
are developed just haven't changed that much. Same general
architectures, same players in the market, same programming languages,
same algorithms, etc.
That being said, there are some things you may find which are different.
Some schools now place a greater emphasis on web based applications and
their development. For instance, having you develop java applets or ruby
applications instead of traditional console or gui based applications.
It doesn't really matter as far as learning to develop software goes,
but there you have it. Second, there have been some developments in the
software life cycle and in how software is engineered, and computer
science programs have adapted to encorperate these new ideas and models.
Third, people have, in the past 5 years or so, really started to take
notice of security issues as far as how they relate to computing. As a
result, many computer science programs now offer one or more courses
which focus on this topic. Usually it's an elective, not a requirement.
At least it has been with every school I've looked it up for or talked
to others about.
Let me know if you would like more information. I can say more on this
topic if desired, including providing a list of the general topics which
would be covered in any decent computer science curriculum and the order
in which those topics would most likely be covered. Joe
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 19:30:56 -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 text
Message-ID: <0AD7EBB3E8E24FB69F235A46E238A860 at Cptr233>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The PDF I got was very very big, so when I did try to use Adobe, it
literally just did not nothing. When I ran it through Kurzwwil, it
crashed my computer. Not to say that this always happens. I do also use
RFBandD, Bookshare, and NLS. Getting the books from the publisher as a
PDF, is my last resort too. Like this semester, one of my professors was
okay with letting me use a later edition. My another wanted the most
recent edition, thus why I had to get it from the publisher. The later
edition is pretty much the same just a newer version. The version I am
using is a 2010, and the version he originally requested was the 2011
version. I explained to the professor my dilemma and he was okay with
using the later version. This is a professor I have worked with in the
past, last semester, so he already knows what some times my difficulties
are. I rather not use bookshare because of either one I have to read the
book on the computer, which is fine especially if I need to know page
numbers and such. But if I put the book on my stream, the TTS voice is
so bad, with my hearing impairment I can not understand it. Now if I had
a Braille display and could connected it up to my stream and read as it
talks, I could handle that. I do have a Braille note mPower, but have
never used it for bookshare.
Marsha
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Nicole B. Torcolini at Home
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 6:30 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
Breaking up a PDF might not be a problem. However, especially if there
is a
reasonably large number of other students with disabilities, the office
might not want to convert a PDF to a word document if it is readable
with
Jaws without conversion. If you don't want to deal with the PDF and have
Kurzweil, you can run the document through the virtual printer. This
works
better than saving as text because the formatting is not lost. Also, if
the
PDF is protected, I don't think that you can save it as text.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 3:23 PM
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/ntorcolini%40wav
ecab
le.com
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 21:45:11 -0500
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Obtaining electronic text
Message-ID: <52EF84397E574E82BD2E0FC00B69079F at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
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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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
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:45:33 -0700
From: "Joseph C. Lininger" <jbahm at pcdesk.net>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Looking for infoComputer programming
Message-ID: <4D4E0B4D.50000 at pcdesk.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi,
Just to warn you, this is going to be a rather long message.
Here are the topics you would cover in a standard computer science
program. I have not included info on other programs that include
software or programming aspects, such as applied computing or computer
information systems. Those math majors with a computer science component
are also not included, even though that's the computer science degree
for some schools. This is the topic list for a dedicated computer
science program. Also, the order is only approximate. Schools may cover
this info in a different order, some of it might be optional or not
offered at all, etc. I've focused mostly on the computer science and
mathematics, since those make up the back bone of any good computer
science program.
-- Computer Science Courses --
* Introductory course to programming. Usially this will use an object
oriented language such as Java, and will cover basic programming and
object oriented design.
* Data structures and algorithms. Algorithms involving Searching,
sorting, recursion. Data structures like lists, trees, stacks, and
queues.
* Sometimes a follow-on data structures course, including graphs,
multi-way trees, hashing. This can be merged with the previous item, or
sometimes offered later in the course sequence.
* Computer organization and asembly language. The goal in this course is
not to teach asembly per say, but to teach basic computer architecture.
Teaching asembly as it were would be difficult since it varies with
different types of hardware. Sometimes a separate "computer
architecture" course is offered, sometimes it's rolled into this course.
* Possibly a course in digital logic and digital circuits.
* One or more courses on software design. These usually focus on object
oriented designs since that's what's generally used in industry right
now. Sometimes this is offered at this point, sometimes at the end of
the course sequence, sometimes both.
* Operating systems. This is not a course on how to use different
operating systems, but rather a course on what goes into operating
system design and programming. You'll probably have to do some low level
programming in this course. An example of a problem you may be set would
be: "you have a certain number of processes competing for CPU time.
Write a program which mimics a round-robin process scheduler to allocate
CPU time equally to all processes that want it."
* Possibly a course on computer networks. This was required at one
school I went to, optional at another. Talking to others seems to
indicate it can really go either way.
* Computational theory. You'll learn about ways to represent machine
states, some algorithm analysis tools, that sort of thing.
* Algorithm analysis. You will use the tools from the previous item to
analyze the data structures and algorithms you already know, and maybe
some new ones.
* Possibly a cap stone course. For example, you might be asked to work
with a team of students to design and implement a medium sized software
system over the course of a semester.
* Various other courses, sprinkled throughout the sequence. Examples
might be compiler design, networks, computer security, relational
databases, AI, and various other topics. Some will be required, some
electives. That varies by school.
-- Required Math --
* Calculous sequence. Some require Calc I and II only, some require Calc
III in addition.
* Some kind of course in discrete mathematics. Examples of what would be
covered here would be: basic proofs and mathematical arguements, set
theory, logic, and the "there exists" and "for all" math operations.
* Some kind of algorithmic math course involving extensive use of
matrices. Example: linear algebra, but some colleges have a substitute
course.
* A calculus based probability and statistics course.
You'll also have general studies requirements, of course. All of the
programs I've seen require two semesters of calc based physics, and you
may need some other hard sciences like chemistry too. Technical
communications and basic writing are also there, naturally.
Wow I wasn't lying, that was a long message. Longest I've written in a
while. Let me know if you have any questions. Joe
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 19:23:35 -0800
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini at Home" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nabs-l] A National Standard Re: Obtaining electronic text
Message-ID: <0289161648BA4E5CB2C1A657C0943866 at stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
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:
>
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ecable.com
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 21:33:36 -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:
<AANLkTimEuqE8TLNSvV9dz0g_grk3uLrrPqaLqohD0_z3 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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%4
>> 0earthlink.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%40
>> wavecable.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%40
> students.pccua.edu
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 23:36:03 -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: <0FA708973BC94EE79A4195EF30A62FD4 at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
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%4
>> 0earthlink.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%40
>> wavecable.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%40
> students.pccua.edu
>
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
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rthlink.net
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 22:42:11 -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:
<AANLkTimaQ1VDUVSx0Pt5Oto_HVgCroNsRNDC22+phKna at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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%4
>> 0students.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:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40
> earthlink.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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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
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> students.pccua.edu
>
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 22:21:30 -0800
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini at Home" <ntorcolini at wavecable.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: <AC98B20B367D4FE4AEAE35C8C179595B at stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
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
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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%4
>> 0students.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:
>
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
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 00:33:23 -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:
<AANLkTimcYsBPjzSVT6Ztbs58n0mR+iqo_F6bTNqWXn7H at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%4
>> 0earthlink.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%40
>> wavecable.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%40
> students.pccua.edu
>
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 02:49:27 -0500
From: Ignasi Cambra <ignasicambra at gmail.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: <90F1F80C-BED1-4CBB-A0F0-A7D38778B28F at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%4
>> 0earthlink.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/jlester8462%4
>> 0students.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:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ignasicambra%4
> 0gmail.com
------------------------------
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:
>>>>
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:
>>>
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/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:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ignasicambra%
>> 40gmail.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%40
> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>>> nabs-l:
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rthlink.net
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
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