From kevin.sesock at okstate.edu Fri Jun 1 07:25:21 2007 From: kevin.sesock at okstate.edu (Sesock, Kevin A) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Leaving OSU, and the field In-Reply-To: <00aa01c7a392$bfe4bce0$3fae36a0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F0123BA9F@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu> <00aa01c7a392$bfe4bce0$3fae36a0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F012953A0@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu> Ron: I never said I wouldn't be back! Once an Assistive Technologist, always an Assistive Technologist. :-) Kevin A. Sesock, A+, Net+, CNA, MCSA Assistive Technology Specialist Student Disability Services Division of Student Affairs Oklahoma State University http://access.it.okstate.edu "Hail to the speaker, hail to the knower; joy to he who has understood, delight to they who have listened." - Odin ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:48 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] Leaving OSU, and the field Anyone want to start a pool on when Kevin returns to AT? Once it's in your blood it never goes away. :-) Best of luck and happy trails! Ron From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Sesock, Kevin A Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 3:27 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Leaving OSU, and the field All: Some of you already know this (okay, so Ron does, I think), but I have accepted a job at IBM in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and will be leaving Oklahoma State University, and Assistive Technology, as a whole. It's been a pleasure working with all of you, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see you all at the last CSUN ATHEN meeting. Thanks again for your assistance through the years, and of course, your friendships. Kevin A. Sesock, A+, Net+, CNA, MCSA Assistive Technology Specialist Student Disability Services Division of Student Affairs Oklahoma State University http://access.it.okstate.edu "Hail to the speaker, hail to the knower; joy to he who has understood, delight to they who have listened." - Odin -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gdietrich at htctu.net Fri Jun 1 17:21:48 2007 From: gdietrich at htctu.net (Gaeir Dietrich) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Continuing recruitment for ATI staff position Message-ID: <00da01c7a4ac$02fd18a0$9a821299@htctu.fhda.edu> _____ From: Turner, Mark [mailto:mturner@calstate.edu] Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 3:41 PM To: Alternate Media Subject: Continuing recruitment for ATI staff position Please forgive the cross-posting. Colleagues, I wanted to alert you to the continuing recruitment of a staff position as part of the Accessible Technology Initiative at the CSU Chancellor's Office. The position announcement is included below and may also be viewed at http://www.calstate.edu/HRS/jobs/000457.shtml Best, Mark Turner Director, Center for Accessible Media CSU Office of the Chancellor (562) 951-4353 voice (562) 951-4925 fax mturner@calstate.edu ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY EXPERT (Information Technical Consultant - Expert) Information Technology Services Salary Range: $4,918 to $7,895 Requisition #000457 Position: The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an Accessible Technology Expert to serve as the expert technology consultant for accessible technology within the Chancellor's Office. Duties: Under general supervision of the Director of Accessible Technology Initiative, the Accessible Technology Expert will provide technical assistance to the CSU Chancellor's Office in the implementation of California Government Code 11135 and the application of Section 508 requirements in sytemwide electronic and information technology (EIT) contracts/procurement and IT project development; research, document, and disseminate accessibility information regarding emerging electronic and information technologies; serve as technical resource for CSU campuses in the implementation of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) via research, training, and support. Requirements: This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's degree (Masters Degree preferred) in a field related to computer science, computer information systems, rehabilitation technology, human factors. If the degree is not in a related field, then a combination of relevant work experience and professional certifications in assistive technology may be substituted; at least seven years of extensive experience with access technologies; knowledge and experience with Section 508 Technical Standards for EIT and its application to the IT procurement and development processes; knowledge of the impact of disability on technology use; ability to conduct research and synthesize findings of emerging technologies and accessibility implications; ability to write effectively to communicate to a variety of audiences; ability to make recommendations based on sound research, best practices, risk analysis, and input from appropriate key stakeholder groups; knowledge of web accessibility theory and practice; experience in evaluating technologies to ensure conformance to standards; knowledge of the legal context of accessible technology; experience in leading collaborative projects in an educational context; experience with developing and leading training. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA employee. To Apply: The requisition # for this position is 000457. You will need this requisition # to apply. If you are currently employed by the CSU Chancellor's Office, please be sure to click on the "CSUCO Employees" link. All other applicants please click on the following external link: http://www.calstate.edu/HRS/jobs/000457.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From djbrky at bu.edu Fri Jun 1 17:54:54 2007 From: djbrky at bu.edu (Berkowitz, Daniel J) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] ATIA Submissions Deadline Extended to June 8th References: <987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F0123BA9F@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu><00aa01c7a392$bfe4bce0$3fae36a0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F012953A0@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu> Message-ID: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116031C6F3D@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Due to an overwhelming response in submitting presentations for the 2008 ATIA Conference, the Call for Presentations deadline has been extended until Friday, June 8, 2007. You may review, edit or submit additional submissions by logging in to ATIA's online management tool at http://atiaew.prod.web.sba.com/callpapers/CallLogin.cfm?conference_id=9 . You may also submit additional presentations by downloading and completing the ATIA 2008 Presentation Submission Form in Microsoft Word format - http://www.atia.org/atia_2008 _presentation_submission_form.doc . For more information on the 2008 ATIA Call for Presentations, please visit the 2008 ATIA Conference Web site at http://www.atia.org/#Presentations . NOTE: Advance Program listing - we will only include sessions submitted by June 8th in the Advance Program listing. Be sure to get your sessions submitted before the deadline so that they can be listed! Over 85,000 copies of the Advance Program are printed and mailed as part of the marketing programs for the conference. Thank you again for your continued support of the ATIA. ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability From ea at emptech.info Sat Jun 2 13:49:58 2007 From: ea at emptech.info (E.A. Draffan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] ATIA Submissions Deadline Extended to June 8th In-Reply-To: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116031C6F3D@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> References: <987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F0123BA9F@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu><00aa01c7a392$bfe4bce0$3fae36a0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com><987761BC3F676843B8EAB3E0BEA07C8F012953A0@EXE2.ad.okstate.edu> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116031C6F3D@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Message-ID: <002801c7a557$9571a7e0$0a01a8c0@laptop> Bit worrying they say they have so many submissions, then ask us to review/edit ours and make changes and then suggest we submit additional ones!! Ah well I got one in by 4pm on June 1st with tick boxes for ATHEN! Best Wishes E.A. -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2007 1:55 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] ATIA Submissions Deadline Extended to June 8th Due to an overwhelming response in submitting presentations for the 2008 ATIA Conference, the Call for Presentations deadline has been extended until Friday, June 8, 2007. You may review, edit or submit additional submissions by logging in to ATIA's online management tool at http://atiaew.prod.web.sba.com/callpapers/CallLogin.cfm?conference_id=9 . You may also submit additional presentations by downloading and completing the ATIA 2008 Presentation Submission Form in Microsoft Word format - http://www.atia.org/atia_2008 _presentation_submission_form.doc . For more information on the 2008 ATIA Call for Presentations, please visit the 2008 ATIA Conference Web site at http://www.atia.org/#Presentations . NOTE: Advance Program listing - we will only include sessions submitted by June 8th in the Advance Program listing. Be sure to get your sessions submitted before the deadline so that they can be listed! Over 85,000 copies of the Advance Program are printed and mailed as part of the marketing programs for the conference. Thank you again for your continued support of the ATIA. ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.6/828 - Release Date: 01/06/2007 11:22 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.6/828 - Release Date: 01/06/2007 11:22 From gdietrich at htctu.net Fri Jun 1 11:57:35 2007 From: gdietrich at htctu.net (Gaeir Dietrich) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: [braille-n-teach] Vacant Position - California Department of Education/CSMT Message-ID: <004801c7a47e$b83516b0$9a821299@htctu.fhda.edu> Any alt media folks want to move over to the world of the K-12s? (Apologies for cross-posting) ****************************************************** Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges De Anza College, Cupertino, CA www.htctu.net 408-996-6043 ******************************************************** Subject: [braille-n-teach] Vacant Position - California Department of Education/CSMT Greetings Everyone... I am now managing the California Department of Education's Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Technology (CSMT) as a retired annuitant. Choosing to do so created a vacant position which is now being advertised. I hope to witness a smooth transition of leadership by September. The job announcement and application form are attached to this e-mail. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: JUNE 21, 2007 Thanks to all of you...it's been a wonderful ride! Rod Brawley, Manager Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Technology Ex Officio Trustee American Printing House for the Blind 1430 N Street, Room 3207 Sacramento, CA 95814 916 323-9732 FAX 916 445-5103 http://csmt.cde.ca.gov -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: CSMT Manager Ad.doc Type: application/msword Size: 50688 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: std-678.doc Type: application/msword Size: 167936 bytes Desc: not available URL: From lornas at csufresno.edu Mon Jun 4 13:44:11 2007 From: lornas at csufresno.edu (Lorna Saiz) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software Message-ID: ATHEN, I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: lornas.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 479 bytes Desc: Card for Lorna Saiz URL: From cathk at cahs.colostate.edu Mon Jun 4 14:10:13 2007 From: cathk at cahs.colostate.edu (Kilcommons,Cath) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Lorna, We have developed a basic AT build that serves out licenses for JAWS, ZT, Read and Write Gold, and WYNN. It makes the AT available most places on campus via the student's campus log-in: we just add their account to the users (we've had some difficulty with the dorms...). Everything seems to run fine, although of course it is slower in loading. Having the server doing the license checking is sweet, and doing upgrades and patches is easier. I cannot address K3000 as we are not currently using that software. Best, Cath ++++++ Cath Stager-Kilcommons ACCESS Project Access Specialist Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Colorado State University 970-491-0788 http://accessibility.colostate.edu/ http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/ cathk@cahs.colostate.edu ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Lorna Saiz Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:44 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software ATHEN, I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jean.wells at csueastbay.edu Mon Jun 4 15:10:42 2007 From: jean.wells at csueastbay.edu (Jean Wells) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Lorna, I've been running JAWS, K3000 and ZT successfully for over a year. I also have voice profiles of Dragon on the server so users can benefit from not having to transport their profiles as they move around campus. All of this has really made my task easier and now we have AT available on all computers. Jean CSU East Bay 510-885-4366 From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kilcommons,Cath Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:10 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Hi Lorna, We have developed a basic AT build that serves out licenses for JAWS, ZT, Read and Write Gold, and WYNN. It makes the AT available most places on campus via the student's campus log-in: we just add their account to the users (we've had some difficulty with the dorms...). Everything seems to run fine, although of course it is slower in loading. Having the server doing the license checking is sweet, and doing upgrades and patches is easier. I cannot address K3000 as we are not currently using that software. Best, Cath ++++++ Cath Stager-Kilcommons ACCESS Project Access Specialist Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Colorado State University 970-491-0788 http://accessibility.colostate.edu/ http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/ cathk@cahs.colostate.edu ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Lorna Saiz Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:44 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software ATHEN, I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jbailey at uoregon.edu Mon Jun 4 15:43:50 2007 From: jbailey at uoregon.edu (James Bailey) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1180997031.858.alphamail@mailapps1.uoregon.edu> Hi Lorna, UO networks the licensing authorization, but not the applications for JAWS and Zoomtext. So we have to install applications individually at each workstation, but the authorization comes from a server. The benefit to us is that we can install a 100 (or more) seats, but only have ten licenses. Our student computing labs operate very independently, so it makes more sense for each lab manager to decide how he or she wants to install JAWS or Zoomtext. - James -- James Bailey Adaptive Technology Access Adviser, University of Oregon 1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 Office: 541-346-1076 jbailey@uoregon.edu On Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:44:11 -0700, Lorna Saiz wrote: > > ATHEN, > I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: > Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? > We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. > Your input is appreciated. Thanks. > > Lorna Saiz > Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator > Services for Students with Disabilities > Ph:559.278.2811 > Fax:559.278.4214 > lornas@csufresno.edu > http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From mturner at calstate.edu Tue Jun 5 09:27:07 2007 From: mturner at calstate.edu (Turner, Mark) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] New ATI Director position opening Message-ID: <0C984849CD26E942B557947940BAA84D904567@VENTURA.csuco> Please forgive the cross-posting... Colleagues, I wanted to alert you to a new recruitment for the Director position for the Accessible Technology Initiative at the CSU Chancellor's Office. The position announcement is included below and may also be viewed at http://www.calstate.edu/hrs/jobs/000517.shtml Best, Mark Turner Director, Center for Accessible Media CSU Office of the Chancellor (562) 951-4353 voice (562) 951-4925 fax mturner@calstate.edu DIRECTOR, ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY (Administrator III) Information Technology Services Requisition #000517 May 30, 2007 Position: The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Director of Accessible Technology to oversee and lead the implementation of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) to accomplish the milestones of the project. Duties: Under general supervision of the Senior Director of Information Technology Services (ITS) Policy, the Director of Accessible Technology oversees and direct the functions of the Accessible Technology Initiative department engaging in specific responsibilities; plan the tasks and manage the processes required to accomplish the ATI milestones set forth in the Coded Memos AA-2007-04 and subsequent ATI-related communications; organize and manage the ATI staff and resources to meet systemwide and Chancellor's Office ATI goals; coordinate systemwide ATI efforts and develop opportunities for systemwide collaboration to solve common problems in a cost-effective manner; develop and manage the ATI budget; manage the consultation process with campuses in implementing the ATI work plan; oversee the development of the ATI communities of practice for effective collaboration; develop and manage the communications plan for the ATI to increase awareness and support for the Initiative among faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholder groups; maintain communication and consultation with systemwide advisory committees (ITAC, ATAC, PTSC, TSC, CABO, DAT, COLD, FDC, etc.); represent the Chancellor's Office in consultation with various internal (CSU) and external groups about the planning and implementation of the ATI and its related projects; develop relationships with key disability-related advocacy groups to seek consumer input regarding the planning of ATI goals, objectives, and activities; implement the direction of the ATI Steering Committee; develop assessment measures and a system for reporting progress; develop ATI goals in alignment with broader CSU strategic goals; provide a range of reports to key stakeholder groups; evaluate progress toward goals and make adjustments as necessary. Requirements: Master's degree in a technology-related or disability-related area; at least seven years of management experience leading a disability-related program that includes assistive technology and alternative media services; experience in leading complex collaborative projects involving multiple stakeholder groups; experience with the application of federal and state disability-related laws in the higher education context, particularly those that apply to information technology and resources.(e.g. Section 501, Section 504, the ADA, Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act, California Code 11135, AB 422, etc.); experience in leading a collaborative work group such as a community of practice; experience in the higher education context ability to create a vision and to communicate the linkages of accessible technology in support of CSU strategic goals; experience working with advocacy groups; strong project management, strategic planning, organizational and budget management skills; effective writing and presentation skills; knowledge of section 508 standards for electronic and information technology; knowledge of accessibility barriers in electronic and information technology resources; knowledge of web accessibility principles. Resumes will be accepted until position is filled. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA employer. To Apply: The requisition # for this position is 000517. You will need this requisition # to apply. If you are currently employed by the CSU Chancellor's Office, please be sure to click on the "CSUCO Employees" link. All other applicants please click on the "External Applicants" link. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lornas at csufresno.edu Tue Jun 5 09:34:25 2007 From: lornas at csufresno.edu (Lorna Saiz) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: <1180997031.858.alphamail@mailapps1.uoregon.edu> References: <1180997031.858.alphamail@mailapps1.uoregon.edu> Message-ID: Thank you Everyone for your responses! The information will certainly help in decision making process. Thanks again. : ) Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd ----- Original Message ----- From: James Bailey Date: Monday, June 4, 2007 3:51 pm Subject: Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Hi Lorna, > > UO networks the licensing authorization, but not the applications > for JAWS and Zoomtext. So we have to install applications > individually at each workstation, but the authorization comes from > a server. > > The benefit to us is that we can install a 100 (or more) seats, > but only have ten licenses. > > Our student computing labs operate very independently, so it makes > more sense for each lab manager to decide how he or she wants to > install JAWS or Zoomtext. > > - James > > > -- > James Bailey > Adaptive Technology Access Adviser, University of Oregon > 1299 University of Oregon > Eugene, OR 97403-1299 > Office: 541-346-1076 > jbailey@uoregon.edu > > On Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:44:11 -0700, Lorna Saiz > wrote: > > > > > ATHEN, > > > I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: > > > Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil > 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS > software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or > both? > > > We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD > owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus > labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. > > > Your input is appreciated. Thanks. > > > > Lorna Saiz > > Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator > > Services for Students with Disabilities > > Ph:559.278.2811 > > Fax:559.278.4214 > > lornas@csufresno.edu > > http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Athen mailing list > > Athen@athenpro.org > > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: lornas.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 479 bytes Desc: Card for Lorna Saiz URL: From JElmer at vcccd.edu Tue Jun 5 11:45:26 2007 From: JElmer at vcccd.edu (John Elmer) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Jean, The new Strategic Technology Plan for our campus (one of 3 campuses in our district) calls for doing exactly what you have done. Our district IT dept will be doing this for us. Might I refer them to you when the time comes for at least a brief overview and a "heads up" on any pitfalls you may have experienced? John F. Elmer Alternate Media Specialist Ventura College Educational Assistance Center (DSP&S) 4667 Telegraph Road Ventura, CA 93003 805.654.6400, x1278 Jean Wells Sent by: athen-bounces@athenpro.org 06/04/2007 03:13 PM Please respond to Access Technologists in Higher Education Network To Access Technologists in Higher Education Network cc Subject Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Hi Lorna, I?ve been running JAWS, K3000 and ZT successfully for over a year. I also have voice profiles of Dragon on the server so users can benefit from not having to transport their profiles as they move around campus. All of this has really made my task easier and now we have AT available on all computers. Jean CSU East Bay 510-885-4366 From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kilcommons,Cath Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:10 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Hi Lorna, We have developed a basic AT build that serves out licenses for JAWS, ZT, Read and Write Gold, and WYNN. It makes the AT available most places on campus via the student's campus log-in: we just add their account to the users (we've had some difficulty with the dorms...). Everything seems to run fine, although of course it is slower in loading. Having the server doing the license checking is sweet, and doing upgrades and patches is easier. I cannot address K3000 as we are not currently using that software. Best, Cath ++++++ Cath Stager-Kilcommons ACCESS Project Access Specialist Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Colorado State University 970-491-0788 http://accessibility.colostate.edu/ http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/ cathk@cahs.colostate.edu From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Lorna Saiz Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:44 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software ATHEN, I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jean.wells at csueastbay.edu Tue Jun 5 13:41:00 2007 From: jean.wells at csueastbay.edu (Jean Wells) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:30 2018 Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: John, Certainly. Please have that someone ask for Daminna Standfield. She does most of our server work. Jean From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of John Elmer Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 11:45 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Cc: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network; athen-bounces@athenpro.org Subject: Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Jean, The new Strategic Technology Plan for our campus (one of 3 campuses in our district) calls for doing exactly what you have done. Our district IT dept will be doing this for us. Might I refer them to you when the time comes for at least a brief overview and a "heads up" on any pitfalls you may have experienced? John F. Elmer Alternate Media Specialist Ventura College Educational Assistance Center (DSP&S) 4667 Telegraph Road Ventura, CA 93003 805.654.6400, x1278 Jean Wells Sent by: athen-bounces@athenpro.org 06/04/2007 03:13 PM Please respond to Access Technologists in Higher Education Network To Access Technologists in Higher Education Network cc Subject Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Hi Lorna, I?ve been running JAWS, K3000 and ZT successfully for over a year. I also have voice profiles of Dragon on the server so users can benefit from not having to transport their profiles as they move around campus. All of this has really made my task easier and now we have AT available on all computers. Jean CSU East Bay 510-885-4366 From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kilcommons,Cath Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:10 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Networking AT Software Hi Lorna, We have developed a basic AT build that serves out licenses for JAWS, ZT, Read and Write Gold, and WYNN. It makes the AT available most places on campus via the student's campus log-in: we just add their account to the users (we've had some difficulty with the dorms...). Everything seems to run fine, although of course it is slower in loading. Having the server doing the license checking is sweet, and doing upgrades and patches is easier. I cannot address K3000 as we are not currently using that software. Best, Cath ++++++ Cath Stager-Kilcommons ACCESS Project Access Specialist Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Colorado State University 970-491-0788 http://accessibility.colostate.edu/ http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/ cathk@cahs.colostate.edu ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Lorna Saiz Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:44 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Networking AT Software ATHEN, I'm throwing this out to ATHEN guru's: Are most of the commonly used programs i.e., JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, ZoomText run on a server to # of users or is the JAWS software individually installed on SSD student lab computers or both? We've installed JAWS on one IT server, and want to network (SSD owned) current JAWS licensing (10 seats) for use around campus labs. Also thinking to do the same with Kurzweil and ZoomText. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. Lorna Saiz Administrative Systems Operations, AT Coordinator Services for Students with Disabilities Ph:559.278.2811 Fax:559.278.4214 lornas@csufresno.edu http://www.csufresno.edu/ssd_______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Tue Jun 5 20:18:18 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: From AFB Message-ID: <01a901c7a7e9$5cec5840$16c508c0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Good evening I would like to pass on to you an announcement I received from a respected colleague at The American Foundation for the Blind. I would ask that you extend your support in the dissemination of this announcement to all of the relevant groups that you interact with. The training being offered represents the "state of the art" in professional development in the Braille community, as well as representing a unique opportunity for quality professional development and growth within our field. This opportunity provides for the capacity for a service provider to have a profound and meaningful impact on the lives of students who are blind or vision impaired. Participation in this unique training opportunity benefits our community by building the professional base of expertise in the preparation of quality alternative format materials. From my perspective, as one of the leaders in the curricular access movement, the need to build capacity in regards to the provision and use of quality materials is foundational to the success of the students with print and print related disabilities. Ron Stewart, Chair AHEAD E-Text Solutions Group Vice President for Operations Dolphin Computer Access Inc. 231 Clarksville RD Suite 3 Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Direct: 609 803-2174 Mobile: 609 213-2190 Sales (toll free): 866 797-5921 Support: 866 797-5921 Fax: 609 799-0475 ron.stewart@dolphinusa.com http://www.dolphinusa.com June 5, 2007 Mr. Ron Stewart Vice President of Operations Dolphin Computer Access Inc. Chair, AHEAD E-text Solutions Group 231 Clarksville Rd., Suite 3 Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Hello Ron: AFB is continuing to support a new and unique curriculum at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas, that provides a career path for people to become Braille transcribers. The college series is conducted entirely online through Northwest Vista College. Students are required to successfully complete three multi-disciplinary semesters to receive the Braille Textbook Transcriber Certificate. The first cohort began in August 2006 with people from six states. The second college cohort will begin August 27, 2007. We are on the fast track to reach groups like membership groups like AHEAD and their universities to tell them about this professional development opportunity for their staff. Whom should I contact? We want to reach people wanting new professional development opportunities. Is there a list of the AHEAD board of directors that I may obtain and their email and phone numbers? Thank you for your help. The Braille Textbook Transcriber program will provide students with the necessary general education coursework, applicable workforce skills and transcribing experience to successfully perform tasks required in the basic Braille transcription of textbooks. Graduates will be able to read and write Braille; demonstrate proficiency in transcribing, Braille formatting and proofreading; use basic tactile graphic production methods; possess knowledge of production technology; and use successful small business practices. For more information about this career opportunity, visit the official Web page at www.accd.edu/nvc/areas/braille. The curriculum brochure is available at the college Web page above or at AFB's Web page at www.afb.org/education.asp at the Braille transcriber page. We sincerely appreciate your help in distributing key information to college and university personnel. Please contact me at 469-522-1803. Best regards, Final MAS sig Mary Ann Siller, M.Ed. Project Manager, Professional Development American Foundation for the Blind Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, Texas From: Mary Ann Siller [mailto:siller@afb.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 8:38 PM To: ron@ahead.org; ron.stewart@dolphinusa.com Cc: Rick Bowes Subject: From AFB June 5 Hello Ron, I am needing some inside help in getting the word out to college teams that work with students with disabilities. You are the main person I know with a connection to AHEAD. Enclosed is my letter noting my request. Is David Sweeney still in the college world? Are there other people I should reach too? Thank you, Mary Ann Mary Ann Siller, M.Ed. National Project Manager, Professional Development American Foundation for the Blind 11030 Ables Lane Dallas, Texas 75229 469-522-1803 FAX: 214-352-3214 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 26218 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: oledata.mso Type: application/octet-stream Size: 20790 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 2337 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dick.banks at gmail.com Wed Jun 6 09:36:22 2007 From: dick.banks at gmail.com (Dick Banks) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Fwd: Accessibility Testing Position Available With Internet Explorer Team at Microsoft In-Reply-To: <002401c7a857$b86cd5f0$294681d0$@microsoft.com> References: <002401c7a857$b86cd5f0$294681d0$@microsoft.com> Message-ID: <6441e6a70706060936q25659783sdffb48e74a564be5@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Kelly Ford Date: Jun 6, 2007 11:28 AM Subject: Accessibility Testing Position Available With Internet Explorer Team at Microsoft To: EASI@listserv.icors.org Hello, My personal address happens to be subscribed to this list but I do work on the IE team at Microsoft and the position described here would be on my test team within the larger IE test organization. My work address is kford@microsoft.com. We have an opening for someone to head up our Internet Explorer accessibility test efforts and work as a software development engineer in test here at Microsoft on the IE team. The full job description can be found at http://members.microsoft.com/careers/search/details.aspx?JobID=EDC85083-8FD9-4E16-BE2B-1B736C30E3AC&start=1&interval=10&SortCol=DatePosted. If the link does not work for some reason you can go to http://members.microsoft.com/careers/search/default.aspx and enter job code 186473. The position involves direct responsibility of our assistive technology compat testing, development of test automation to test aspects of our accessibility independent of any AT product and working across the full IE team to ensure others are incorporating accessibility correctly into their work. It is an opportunity to have a large impact across the product and develop a wide range of skills in a very dynamic and fun environment. If you are interested or know someone who is, please see the job description and related resources for more details. If I can answer any questions about the position feel free to let me know. Please do not reply to the full list about the position though. I've been with Microsoft for about 6.5 years and I can say that it is a very rewarding place to work filled with opportunities to learn and grow, impact technology from across the company and an environment where you'll have positive challenges that will stretch your skills and let you develop new ones. You can read more about life at Microsoft as part of the general career information available from http://members.microsoft.com/careers/default.mspx. Thanks, Kelly -- Dick Banks CTO - EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information Online Course Starting June 4 Barrier-free Web Design http://easi.cc/workshops/easiweb.htm TWO FREE WEBINARS IN JUNE http://easi.cc/clinic.htm -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Dave.M.Thomas at studentlife.du.edu Wed Jun 6 13:54:38 2007 From: Dave.M.Thomas at studentlife.du.edu (Dave M. Thomas) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] DNS and the Mac Message-ID: Good afternoon! Does anyone know whether Dragon Naturally Speaking works well (or at all) on a Mac? If not, which are the better voice recognition software packages for working on a Mac? Thanks for your insights! Dave Thomas Dave Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Services Program, UDS University of Denver 2050 E. Evans Ave., Suite #30 Denver, CO 80208 Phone: 303-871-2269 E-mail: dave.m.thomas@du.edu From jjohnson at htctu.net Wed Jun 6 15:04:22 2007 From: jjohnson at htctu.net (Jayme Johnson) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] DNS and the Mac In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <004001c7a886$a441acc0$9b821299@htctu.fhda.edu> Hello Dave, You can not run Dragon Naturally Speaking on a Mac using the native Mac OS, however you can run DNS on an Intel-based Mac if you use the Parallels Desktop software to create a virtual PC running Windows XP (For more info on Parallels, visit www.parallels.com/). In this way you can run DNS and it works very well. Unfortunately, this does nothing for you in terms of being able to control or use any applications outside of the virtual machine. So in essence, you can run DNS on the Mac, but you can't use DNS to interact with or control the Mac and the Mac-based software. If you have an Intel-based Mac and just need to be able to use speech recognition once in a while to create documents, the Parallels approach works nicely. However, if you are looking for a complete solution for using speech recognition with the Mac and Mac OS based software, I don't know of any perfect solution to date. So far the best speech recognition software I know of for the Mac OS is iListen. iListen is not as robust as DNS, and it doesn't allow you to fully interact or control every aspect of the Mac OS, but it is the best speech recognition solution I am currently aware of for the Mac OS. You can get more information on iListen at: http://www.macspeech.com/. I hope this helps, and please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. Good luck! Jayme Johnson Assistive Computer Technology Instructor High Tech Center Training Unit DeAnza College, Cupertino, CA 408-996-6045 www.htctu.net -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Dave M. Thomas Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 1:55 PM To: athen@athenpro.org Subject: [Athen] DNS and the Mac Good afternoon! Does anyone know whether Dragon Naturally Speaking works well (or at all) on a Mac? If not, which are the better voice recognition software packages for working on a Mac? Thanks for your insights! Dave Thomas Dave Thomas, Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Services Program, UDS University of Denver 2050 E. Evans Ave., Suite #30 Denver, CO 80208 Phone: 303-871-2269 E-mail: dave.m.thomas@du.edu _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From roberte at uci.edu Thu Jun 7 08:02:49 2007 From: roberte at uci.edu (Robert Espero) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French Message-ID: <003401c7a914$ea9ff4e0$1c76c880@ruel> Hi ATHEN List, I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about installing? Thanks, Robert _____ From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM To: Alternate Media Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and maybe Canada??). Good luck! ****************************************************** Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges De Anza College, Cupertino, CA www.htctu.net 408-996-6043 _____ From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM To: Alternate Media Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French Hi Listers, I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH & FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was possible. Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! Robert ---------------------------------------- Robert Espero AT/IT Coordinator Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC 100 Disability Services Irvine, CA 92697-5250 voice: 949.824.7494 fax: 949.824.3083 tdd: 949.824.6272 ---------------------------------------- "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliott The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1623 bytes Desc: not available URL: From Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu Thu Jun 7 09:06:55 2007 From: Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu (Baker, Nick) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French In-Reply-To: <003401c7a914$ea9ff4e0$1c76c880@ruel> References: <003401c7a914$ea9ff4e0$1c76c880@ruel> Message-ID: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D1@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> One caveat about foreign language versions of Dragon: If your Windows operating system and/or MS Office is English/American, the commands to control the computer will not work properly-Dragon expects the commands to be in the language it understands! I ran into that problem installing German Dragon on a US Windows machine. nick Nick Baker Assistive Technology Coordinator nick.baker@umontana.edu 406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) 406-243-2663 (Voice only) Disability Services for Students The University of Montana EL 154 32 Campus Drive Missoula, MT 59812 ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Robert Espero Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:03 AM To: ATHEN Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French Hi ATHEN List, I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about installing? Thanks, Robert ________________________________ From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM To: Alternate Media Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and maybe Canada??). Good luck! ****************************************************** Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges De Anza College, Cupertino, CA www.htctu.net 408-996-6043 ________________________________ From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM To: Alternate Media Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French Hi Listers, I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH & FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was possible. Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! Robert ---------------------------------------- Robert Espero AT/IT Coordinator Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC 100 Disability Services Irvine, CA 92697-5250 voice: 949.824.7494 fax: 949.824.3083 tdd: 949.824.6272 ---------------------------------------- "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliott The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1623 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu Fri Jun 8 00:17:52 2007 From: wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu (Wink Harner) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French In-Reply-To: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D1@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> Message-ID: <463315F4000058BB@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> Hi Athenites, While what Nick says is indeed true about the other language versions not being able to control the computer's operating system, the commands to run Dragon are in the target language and they work really well. DNS provides a good resource of the commands to use to run the program. I'm still able to use my hands to manage to turn on my computer & log in, start programs etc.. I use DNS primeraly to write letters, papers, or make PPT presentations, instructional materials, tests, handouts etc. for the classes I teach (when I'm not being campus techno-geek, playing my t'bone or being manager of my great department). When I had all my MACs, they were other-language operating systems and the commands were in the target language. In Chinese, I had to learn what the command characters looked liked because I cannot read Chinese! Hope this is helpful to you all. Have a good weekend! Wink Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ >-- Original Message -- >Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 10:06:55 -0600 >From: "Baker, Nick" >To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > >One caveat about foreign language versions of Dragon: If your Windows >operating system and/or MS Office is English/American, the commands to >control the computer will not work properly-Dragon expects the commands >to be in the language it understands! I ran into that problem installing >German Dragon on a US Windows machine. > > > > nick > > > >Nick Baker >Assistive Technology Coordinator >nick.baker@umontana.edu >406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >406-243-2663 (Voice only) > >Disability Services for Students >The University of Montana >EL 154 >32 Campus Drive >Missoula, MT 59812 > >________________________________ > >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Robert Espero >Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:03 AM >To: ATHEN >Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >Hi ATHEN List, > > > >I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier >regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon >NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about >installing? > > > >Thanks, > >Robert > > > >________________________________ > >From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] >Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM >To: Alternate Media >Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink >Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the >ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. > > > >I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the >French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and >maybe Canada??). > > > >Good luck! > >****************************************************** >Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich >High Tech Center Training Unit of the >California Community Colleges >De Anza College, Cupertino, CA >www.htctu.net >408-996-6043 > >________________________________ > >From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] >Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM >To: Alternate Media >Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >Hi Listers, > >I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was >wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH >& FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the >knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was >possible. > >Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! > >Robert > > > > >---------------------------------------- >Robert Espero >AT/IT Coordinator >Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC >100 Disability Services >Irvine, CA 92697-5250 >voice: 949.824.7494 >fax: 949.824.3083 >tdd: 949.824.6272 >---------------------------------------- >"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot >lose." Jim Elliott > >The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely >for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, >and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to >the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any >use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly >prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately >notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. > > > > > > > > >Attachment: image001.gif > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa AZ 480-461-7447 From Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu Fri Jun 8 06:43:55 2007 From: Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu (Baker, Nick) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French In-Reply-To: <463315F4000058BB@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> References: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D1@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> <463315F4000058BB@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> Message-ID: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D9@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> A geek *AND* a trombone player. I knew there was something about you, Wink. Nick Baker Assistive Technology Coordinator nick.baker@umontana.edu 406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) 406-243-2663 (Voice only) Disability Services for Students The University of Montana EL 154 32 Campus Drive Missoula, MT 59812 -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Wink Harner Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:18 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French Hi Athenites, While what Nick says is indeed true about the other language versions not being able to control the computer's operating system, the commands to run Dragon are in the target language and they work really well. DNS provides a good resource of the commands to use to run the program. I'm still able to use my hands to manage to turn on my computer & log in, start programs etc.. I use DNS primeraly to write letters, papers, or make PPT presentations, instructional materials, tests, handouts etc. for the classes I teach (when I'm not being campus techno-geek, playing my t'bone or being manager of my great department). When I had all my MACs, they were other-language operating systems and the commands were in the target language. In Chinese, I had to learn what the command characters looked liked because I cannot read Chinese! Hope this is helpful to you all. Have a good weekend! Wink Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ >-- Original Message -- >Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 10:06:55 -0600 >From: "Baker, Nick" >To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > >One caveat about foreign language versions of Dragon: If your Windows >operating system and/or MS Office is English/American, the commands to >control the computer will not work properly-Dragon expects the commands >to be in the language it understands! I ran into that problem installing >German Dragon on a US Windows machine. > > > > nick > > > >Nick Baker >Assistive Technology Coordinator >nick.baker@umontana.edu >406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >406-243-2663 (Voice only) > >Disability Services for Students >The University of Montana >EL 154 >32 Campus Drive >Missoula, MT 59812 > >________________________________ > >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Robert Espero >Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:03 AM >To: ATHEN >Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >Hi ATHEN List, > > > >I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier >regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon >NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about >installing? > > > >Thanks, > >Robert > > > >________________________________ > >From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] >Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM >To: Alternate Media >Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink >Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the >ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. > > > >I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the >French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and >maybe Canada??). > > > >Good luck! > >****************************************************** >Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich >High Tech Center Training Unit of the >California Community Colleges >De Anza College, Cupertino, CA >www.htctu.net >408-996-6043 > >________________________________ > >From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] >Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM >To: Alternate Media >Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French > > > >Hi Listers, > >I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was >wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH >& FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the >knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was >possible. > >Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! > >Robert > > > > >---------------------------------------- >Robert Espero >AT/IT Coordinator >Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC >100 Disability Services >Irvine, CA 92697-5250 >voice: 949.824.7494 >fax: 949.824.3083 >tdd: 949.824.6272 >---------------------------------------- >"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot >lose." Jim Elliott > >The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely >for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, >and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to >the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any >use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly >prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately >notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. > > > > > > > > >Attachment: image001.gif > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa AZ 480-461-7447 _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From djbrky at bu.edu Fri Jun 8 09:53:11 2007 From: djbrky at bu.edu (Berkowitz, Daniel J) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- Message-ID: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603408383@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> ... the great Video Card shootout. Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a support solution. Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally defeated the purpose of ZT. I am looking for options. Different software? Different video card/drivers? Here is information on MAYA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After Effects -- both are Adobe products. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Fri Jun 8 10:19:08 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- In-Reply-To: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603408383@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> References: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603408383@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Message-ID: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Have you tried Lunar, it does very well with these kinds of things. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:53 PM To: Alternate Media; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- ... the great Video Card shootout. Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a support solution. Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally defeated the purpose of ZT. I am looking for options. Different software? Different video card/drivers? Here is information on MAYA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After Effects -- both are Adobe products. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu Fri Jun 8 10:30:19 2007 From: wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu (Wink Harner) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French In-Reply-To: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D9@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> Message-ID: <463315F400005950@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> Hi Nick, Hey, thanks for the compliment (I think!). I play 1st chair t-bone in the band here at the college + am called as pick-up (not THAT kind of pick-up!) to fill in for jazz & dixieland groups around who need an extra bone player. I totally love it, it's lots of fun and it serves to keep me (somewhat) sane. I try to keep the *geek* as under control as possible. I know I have reached some sort of plateau, though. When my daughter was young, she would roll her eyes back in her head and say (in a demeaning tone as pre-teens are wont to do), "Oh, Mother, you are such a GEEK." Now she is all grown up with children of her own and she says, "Oh, Mama, you are SUCH a geek," with such tenderness, pride and respect. I know I have arrived. Back to the DNS question --I haven't had to partition my own hard drive for the various versions of DNS I have. Do you think it would be necessary to do it for a college AT lab computer in order to guarantee, inasmuch as possible, the various versions would not conflict or compete with one another? Do you have any thoughts on the subject? We haven't had anyone request any other version of DNS than English, so we haven't had to deal with this at our campus --yet! I know from experience I have worked with DNS for so long (since the first version came out!) that my DNS vocabulary in the English version has incorporated all the Spanish, Portuguese and French vocabulary files. For example if I use the word "Jos?" and pronounce it in Spanish it will spell it correctly, including the accent. If I say "Jos?" and pronounce it in Portuguese it will spell it correctly (the difference in case you don't know, is with the pronunciation of the letter "J" --in Spanish it's a guttural "huh" sound and in Portuguese it's a "Zh" sound. I can say "formation" in English and get English; "formaci?n" and get Spanish; or "forma??o" and get Portuguese. Now I assume the intricacies of the speech engine has become much more sophisticated. Am off to the races. Am going off to get my van serviced so I can get ready for my 12-day trout fishing expedition to the Snake River in Idaho. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I can smell that trout frying already. Good weekend to you Nick. Wink >-- Original Message -- >Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 07:43:55 -0600 >From: "Baker, Nick" >To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > >A geek *AND* a trombone player. I knew there was something about you, >Wink. > > >Nick Baker >Assistive Technology Coordinator >nick.baker@umontana.edu >406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >406-243-2663 (Voice only) > >Disability Services for Students >The University of Montana >EL 154 >32 Campus Drive >Missoula, MT 59812 >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Wink Harner >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:18 AM >To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French > >Hi Athenites, > >While what Nick says is indeed true about the other language versions >not >being able to control the computer's operating system, the commands to >run >Dragon are in the target language and they work really well. DNS >provides >a good resource of the commands to use to run the program. I'm still >able >to use my hands to manage to turn on my computer & log in, start >programs >etc.. I use DNS primeraly to write letters, papers, or make PPT >presentations, >instructional materials, tests, handouts etc. for the classes I teach >(when >I'm not being campus techno-geek, playing my t'bone or being manager of >my >great department). When I had all my MACs, they were other-language >operating >systems and the commands were in the target language. In Chinese, I had >to >learn what the command characters looked liked because I cannot read >Chinese! > >Hope this is helpful to you all. > >Have a good weekend! > >Wink >Ms. Wink Harner >Manager >Disability Resources & Services >Mesa Community College >Mesa, AZ > > >>-- Original Message -- >>Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 10:06:55 -0600 >>From: "Baker, Nick" >>To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" > >>Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >>Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > >> >> >>One caveat about foreign language versions of Dragon: If your Windows >>operating system and/or MS Office is English/American, the commands to >>control the computer will not work properly-Dragon expects the commands >>to be in the language it understands! I ran into that problem >installing >>German Dragon on a US Windows machine. >> >> >> >> nick >> >> >> >>Nick Baker >>Assistive Technology Coordinator >>nick.baker@umontana.edu >>406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >>406-243-2663 (Voice only) >> >>Disability Services for Students >>The University of Montana >>EL 154 >>32 Campus Drive >>Missoula, MT 59812 >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >>Behalf Of Robert Espero >>Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:03 AM >>To: ATHEN >>Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>Hi ATHEN List, >> >> >> >>I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier >>regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon >>NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about >>installing? >> >> >> >>Thanks, >> >>Robert >> >> >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] >>Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM >>To: Alternate Media >>Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink >>Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the >>ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. >> >> >> >>I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the >>French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and >>maybe Canada??). >> >> >> >>Good luck! >> >>****************************************************** >>Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich >>High Tech Center Training Unit of the >>California Community Colleges >>De Anza College, Cupertino, CA >>www.htctu.net >>408-996-6043 >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] >>Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM >>To: Alternate Media >>Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>Hi Listers, >> >>I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was >>wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH >>& FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the >>knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was >>possible. >> >>Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! >> >>Robert >> >> >> >> >>---------------------------------------- >>Robert Espero >>AT/IT Coordinator >>Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC >>100 Disability Services >>Irvine, CA 92697-5250 >>voice: 949.824.7494 >>fax: 949.824.3083 >>tdd: 949.824.6272 >>---------------------------------------- >>"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot >>lose." Jim Elliott >> >>The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely >>for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, >>and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to >>the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any >>use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly >>prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately >>notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>Attachment: image001.gif >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Athen mailing list >>Athen@athenpro.org >>http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > >Ms. Wink Harner >Manager >Disability Resources & Services >Mesa Community College >Mesa AZ > >480-461-7447 > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa AZ 480-461-7447 From djbrky at bu.edu Fri Jun 8 10:33:04 2007 From: djbrky at bu.edu (Berkowitz, Daniel J) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- In-Reply-To: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> That is one of the suggestions I am hoping to hear. I started with ZT because that is what we have on hand. I spoke with Van and she said I should speak with Garath. I'm just covering my bases. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Ron Stewart >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:19 PM >To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' >Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >Have you tried Lunar, it does very well with these kinds of things. > >Ron > >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:53 PM >To: Alternate Media; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >... the great Video Card shootout. > >Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design >program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a >support solution. > >Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his >workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT >over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally >defeated the purpose of ZT. > >I am looking for options. Different software? Different video >card/drivers? > >Here is information on MAYA - >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) > >The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After >Effects -- both are Adobe products. > >Thanks --- Dann > > >========================= >Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director >Boston University Office of Disability Services >19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor >Boston, MA 02215 > >(617) 353-3658 (office) >(617) 353-9646 (fax) >djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) >www.bu.edu/disability > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From jhumbert at purdue.edu Fri Jun 8 10:58:17 2007 From: jhumbert at purdue.edu (Humbert, Joseph A) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- In-Reply-To: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> References: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Message-ID: <310B6F0B038E0847BA40E28F322EB6C9023BD4CB@EXCH02.purdue.lcl> Hi! Being A Computer Graphics Graduate I can tell you that I think you will be hard pressed to find an software that takes control of the video chain that will play nicely with Maya or any 3D software, but having said that you can switch Maya to use a software renderer instead of using the graphics card. Maybe that will help. I'm interested to hear what you find. Thankx. Joe Humbert Assistive Technology Specialist Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Office: IT 214E Email: johumber@iupui.edu Phone: 847-431-6545 -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:33 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- That is one of the suggestions I am hoping to hear. I started with ZT because that is what we have on hand. I spoke with Van and she said I should speak with Garath. I'm just covering my bases. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Ron Stewart >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:19 PM >To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' >Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >Have you tried Lunar, it does very well with these kinds of things. > >Ron > >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:53 PM >To: Alternate Media; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >... the great Video Card shootout. > >Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design >program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a >support solution. > >Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his >workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT >over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally >defeated the purpose of ZT. > >I am looking for options. Different software? Different video >card/drivers? > >Here is information on MAYA - >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) > >The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After >Effects -- both are Adobe products. > >Thanks --- Dann > > >========================= >Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director >Boston University Office of Disability Services >19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor >Boston, MA 02215 > >(617) 353-3658 (office) >(617) 353-9646 (fax) >djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) >www.bu.edu/disability > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ea at emptech.info Fri Jun 8 11:13:45 2007 From: ea at emptech.info (E.A. Draffan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- In-Reply-To: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> References: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Message-ID: <001501c7a9f8$c0f78920$83e2fea9@laptop> If the student does not want anything too complicated I know Lightning uses the off screen model so should work - if you need speech with it Storm is coming along! http://www.clarosoftware.com/index.php?cPath=262 Also works on a pen drive (memory stick) Best wishes E.A. -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:33 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- That is one of the suggestions I am hoping to hear. I started with ZT because that is what we have on hand. I spoke with Van and she said I should speak with Garath. I'm just covering my bases. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Ron Stewart >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:19 PM >To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' >Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >Have you tried Lunar, it does very well with these kinds of things. > >Ron > >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:53 PM >To: Alternate Media; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >... the great Video Card shootout. > >Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design >program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a >support solution. > >Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his >workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT >over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally >defeated the purpose of ZT. > >I am looking for options. Different software? Different video >card/drivers? > >Here is information on MAYA - >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) > >The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After >Effects -- both are Adobe products. > >Thanks --- Dann > > >========================= >Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director >Boston University Office of Disability Services >19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor >Boston, MA 02215 > >(617) 353-3658 (office) >(617) 353-9646 (fax) >djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) >www.bu.edu/disability > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 07/06/2007 14:21 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 07/06/2007 14:21 From Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu Fri Jun 8 12:02:12 2007 From: Nick.Baker at mso.umt.edu (Baker, Nick) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French In-Reply-To: <463315F400005950@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> References: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3D9@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> <463315F400005950@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> Message-ID: <42816E1795C8EB44B1676468392D079407B3DA@MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu> Wink-- The music sounds like a lot of fun. A few years ago we had Dragon v5 preferred Spanish on the same machine and the same partition on which we had Dragon v6 English. The two versions seemed to respect each other, and did not get confused. Whichever version was running worked just fine and delivered the correct text, though I don't think we ever had the two versions running at once. Nick Nick Baker Assistive Technology Coordinator nick.baker@umontana.edu 406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) 406-243-2663 (Voice only) Disability Services for Students The University of Montana EL 154 32 Campus Drive Missoula, MT 59812 -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Wink Harner Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 11:30 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French Hi Nick, Hey, thanks for the compliment (I think!). I play 1st chair t-bone in the band here at the college + am called as pick-up (not THAT kind of pick-up!) to fill in for jazz & dixieland groups around who need an extra bone player. I totally love it, it's lots of fun and it serves to keep me (somewhat) sane. I try to keep the *geek* as under control as possible. I know I have reached some sort of plateau, though. When my daughter was young, she would roll her eyes back in her head and say (in a demeaning tone as pre-teens are wont to do), "Oh, Mother, you are such a GEEK." Now she is all grown up with children of her own and she says, "Oh, Mama, you are SUCH a geek," with such tenderness, pride and respect. I know I have arrived. Back to the DNS question --I haven't had to partition my own hard drive for the various versions of DNS I have. Do you think it would be necessary to do it for a college AT lab computer in order to guarantee, inasmuch as possible, the various versions would not conflict or compete with one another? Do you have any thoughts on the subject? We haven't had anyone request any other version of DNS than English, so we haven't had to deal with this at our campus --yet! I know from experience I have worked with DNS for so long (since the first version came out!) that my DNS vocabulary in the English version has incorporated all the Spanish, Portuguese and French vocabulary files. For example if I use the word "Jos?" and pronounce it in Spanish it will spell it correctly, including the accent. If I say "Jos?" and pronounce it in Portuguese it will spell it correctly (the difference in case you don't know, is with the pronunciation of the letter "J" --in Spanish it's a guttural "huh" sound and in Portuguese it's a "Zh" sound. I can say "formation" in English and get English; "formaci?n" and get Spanish; or "forma??o" and get Portuguese. Now I assume the intricacies of the speech engine has become much more sophisticated. Am off to the races. Am going off to get my van serviced so I can get ready for my 12-day trout fishing expedition to the Snake River in Idaho. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I can smell that trout frying already. Good weekend to you Nick. Wink >-- Original Message -- >Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 07:43:55 -0600 >From: "Baker, Nick" >To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > >A geek *AND* a trombone player. I knew there was something about you, >Wink. > > >Nick Baker >Assistive Technology Coordinator >nick.baker@umontana.edu >406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >406-243-2663 (Voice only) > >Disability Services for Students >The University of Montana >EL 154 >32 Campus Drive >Missoula, MT 59812 >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Wink Harner >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:18 AM >To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French > >Hi Athenites, > >While what Nick says is indeed true about the other language versions >not >being able to control the computer's operating system, the commands to >run >Dragon are in the target language and they work really well. DNS >provides >a good resource of the commands to use to run the program. I'm still >able >to use my hands to manage to turn on my computer & log in, start >programs >etc.. I use DNS primeraly to write letters, papers, or make PPT >presentations, >instructional materials, tests, handouts etc. for the classes I teach >(when >I'm not being campus techno-geek, playing my t'bone or being manager of >my >great department). When I had all my MACs, they were other-language >operating >systems and the commands were in the target language. In Chinese, I had >to >learn what the command characters looked liked because I cannot read >Chinese! > >Hope this is helpful to you all. > >Have a good weekend! > >Wink >Ms. Wink Harner >Manager >Disability Resources & Services >Mesa Community College >Mesa, AZ > > >>-- Original Message -- >>Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 10:06:55 -0600 >>From: "Baker, Nick" >>To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" > >>Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >>Reply-To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > >> >> >>One caveat about foreign language versions of Dragon: If your Windows >>operating system and/or MS Office is English/American, the commands to >>control the computer will not work properly-Dragon expects the commands >>to be in the language it understands! I ran into that problem >installing >>German Dragon on a US Windows machine. >> >> >> >> nick >> >> >> >>Nick Baker >>Assistive Technology Coordinator >>nick.baker@umontana.edu >>406-243-2234 (Voice/TTY) >>406-243-2663 (Voice only) >> >>Disability Services for Students >>The University of Montana >>EL 154 >>32 Campus Drive >>Missoula, MT 59812 >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >>Behalf Of Robert Espero >>Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:03 AM >>To: ATHEN >>Subject: [Athen] FW: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>Hi ATHEN List, >> >> >> >>I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm following the advice of Gaier >>regarding the installation of ENGLISH and FRENCH versions of Dragon >>NaturallySpeaking-can this be done? If so, how does one go about >>installing? >> >> >> >>Thanks, >> >>Robert >> >> >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: Gaeir Dietrich [mailto:gdietrich@htctu.net] >>Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:48 PM >>To: Alternate Media >>Subject: RE: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>I am 99% sure that you can because I remember a Dragon user (Wink >>Harner, I believe) talking about doing exactly that. Wink is on the >>ATHEN list, so you might want to repost the question there. >> >> >> >>I believe that the hardest thing was getting someone to sell her the >>French version...they don't tend to market it outside of Europe (and >>maybe Canada??). >> >> >> >>Good luck! >> >>****************************************************** >>Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich >>High Tech Center Training Unit of the >>California Community Colleges >>De Anza College, Cupertino, CA >>www.htctu.net >>408-996-6043 >> >>________________________________ >> >>From: Robert Espero [mailto:roberte@uci.edu] >>Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:02 PM >>To: Alternate Media >>Subject: Naturally Speaking - English & French >> >> >> >>Hi Listers, >> >>I have a professor who needs to do work in both languages and I was >>wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to install both ENGLISH >>& FRENCH versions of DNS 9.0 on one PC. I've searched through the >>knowledgebase at Nuance.com and was unsuccessful in finding if this was >>possible. >> >>Thanks ahead of time for your assistance! >> >>Robert >> >> >> >> >>---------------------------------------- >>Robert Espero >>AT/IT Coordinator >>Universal Design & Access Center (UDAC) @ DSC >>100 Disability Services >>Irvine, CA 92697-5250 >>voice: 949.824.7494 >>fax: 949.824.3083 >>tdd: 949.824.6272 >>---------------------------------------- >>"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot >>lose." Jim Elliott >> >>The contents of this email message are confidential and intended solely >>for the addressee(s). The information may also be legally privileged, >>and therefore transmitted in trust for the sole purpose of delivery to >>the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, any >>use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly >>prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately >>notify the sender by reply email and/or contact DSC at 949-824-7494. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>Attachment: image001.gif >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Athen mailing list >>Athen@athenpro.org >>http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > >Ms. Wink Harner >Manager >Disability Resources & Services >Mesa Community College >Mesa AZ > >480-461-7447 > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa AZ 480-461-7447 _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Fri Jun 8 14:26:27 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Message-ID: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message From marks at mso.umt.edu Fri Jun 8 15:31:30 2007 From: marks at mso.umt.edu (Marks, Jim) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. In-Reply-To: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development of talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From john.gardner at orst.edu Fri Jun 8 23:56:16 2007 From: john.gardner at orst.edu (John Gardner) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. In-Reply-To: <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> Message-ID: <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> Perhaps somebody could point me to info about NLS developments. My understanding is that they are developing a flash-based/downloadable distribution system instead of CD's but otherwise are using standard DDAISY. Is this wrong? John -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:32 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development of talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Sat Jun 9 04:37:22 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. In-Reply-To: <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> Message-ID: <020701c7aa8a$98407b80$c8c17280$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Morning I want to echo Jim's comments. I too support fully funding the NLS. In fact increased targeted funding would also be ideal to expand their mission to move to a more wholistic service model for folks with print disabilities. A lot of money was spent on the development of this product when perfectly good technology was already emerging in the marketplace. Money that many in congress feel would have been better spent on program development and direct service delivery. The comments made to me are that the NLS squandered the money, and should leave R&D up to agencies charged with work in this area such as the National Centers. In any public funding environment it is hard to ask for expanded funding when this is in the back of some peoples minds. Having just sat through a DAISY meeting on online delivery there is a lot of this kind of thing going on around the world by libraries for the blind. A montra of mine for years has always been use off the shelf technology first, work with emerging trends and developments in the IT space second and only as a last resort use AT. This provides for a more inclusive invironment for folks with disabilities, allow students to develop skill sets that are genaralizable to the mainstream workforce, and in the long run results in progress towards the goals that many of us spend our lives on. I have already written to my representatives, and asked them to support the full funding request. I only hope that NLS and similar organizations learn from this, not likely, but one can always hope. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:32 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development of talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Sat Jun 9 04:37:22 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. In-Reply-To: <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> Message-ID: <021101c7aa8a$a0074bf0$e015e3d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> They have developed a proprietary reader that uses smart card technology. It does however use the DAISY format for materials. I can not find the link on the new reader right now, busy getting ready for a trip to Arizona Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of John Gardner Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 2:56 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. Perhaps somebody could point me to info about NLS developments. My understanding is that they are developing a flash-based/downloadable distribution system instead of CD's but otherwise are using standard DDAISY. Is this wrong? John -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:32 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development of talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From tft at u.washington.edu Sat Jun 9 06:59:21 2007 From: tft at u.washington.edu (Terry Thompson) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor theBlind. In-Reply-To: <021101c7aa8a$a0074bf0$e015e3d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <200706091359.l59DxRVG020558@smtp.washington.edu> The NLS Current Strategic Business Plan for the Implementation of Digital Systems (September 2006) may offer some insights: http://www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/businessplan2006.html Terry Terry Thompson Technology Specialist, DO-IT University of Washington > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org > [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 4:37 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End > Booksfor theBlind. > > They have developed a proprietary reader that uses smart card > technology. > It does however use the DAISY format for materials. I can > not find the link on the new reader right now, busy getting > ready for a trip to Arizona > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org > [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of John Gardner > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 2:56 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End > Books for theBlind. > > Perhaps somebody could point me to info about NLS > developments. My understanding is that they are developing a > flash-based/downloadable distribution system instead of CD's > but otherwise are using standard DDAISY. > Is this wrong? > > John > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org > [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:32 PM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End > Books for theBlind. > > There's a real danger that the National Library Service of > the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get > funding to improve its technology for talking books. > However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current > crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to > the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. > I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the > development of talking book technology. But they did not, > and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to > support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get > NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a > real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope > that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS > well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate > format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if > these conditions can co-exist. > > > Jim Marks > Director of Disability Services > University of Montana > jim.marks@umontana.edu > http://www.umt.edu/dss/ > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org > [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books > for the Blind. > > I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I > also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I > would be tarred and feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC > and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the > number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did > not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the > exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This > has been an issue throughout the development process on this > reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. > It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal > funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents > the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys > and werefores of this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of > BlindNews Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - > USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives > Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to > substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of > the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, > said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a > bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille > books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The > blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House > subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs > since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only > $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog > cassette tape technology to digital technology, the > subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only > public library available to blind Americans. The audio books > produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless > the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The > Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog > tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete > and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have > converted to state-of-the-art digital communication > technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. > Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations > process, however, Congress still has time to correct this > grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full > House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of > Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service > for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of > Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, > including blind children and an ever-increasing number of > older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of > blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation > reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of > the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, > extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118 > 989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogrammi > ng.com/att > achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a > request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindpr > ogramming. > com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word > unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > From kestrell at panix.com Sat Jun 9 07:28:20 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From kestrell at panix.com Sat Jun 9 07:32:37 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books fortheBlind. References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com><14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> Message-ID: <00ad01c7aaa3$0a369950$05fea8c0@Galatea> John, You can find multiple documents on the NLS development fo their DTB players/format here http://www.loc.gov/nls/digital.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Gardner" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 2:56 AM Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books fortheBlind. > Perhaps somebody could point me to info about NLS developments. My > understanding is that they are developing a flash-based/downloadable > distribution system instead of CD's but otherwise are using standard > DDAISY. > Is this wrong? > > John > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Marks, Jim > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:32 PM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for > theBlind. > > There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of > Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology > for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the > current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the > technology development choices that NLS leaders made. > I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development > of > talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on > our > hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I > wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's > a > real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will > do > the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on > board > with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be > interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. > > > Jim Marks > Director of Disability Services > University of Montana > jim.marks@umontana.edu > http://www.umt.edu/dss/ > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Ron Stewart > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun > 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, > said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att > achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. > com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Sat Jun 9 08:51:32 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. In-Reply-To: <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> Message-ID: <024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From asuncion at alcor.concordia.ca Sat Jun 9 14:19:43 2007 From: asuncion at alcor.concordia.ca (Jennison Asuncion) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] job posting with Pearson Ed Message-ID: Hello, While just up on Monster.com, I saw a posting for an 'Accessibility & Compliance Analyst' with Pearson Education in Chicagoland. If you go up onto www.monster.com and type in the title above into the keyword field, you'll find it. Thought some here might find that of interest. Jennison Jennison Asuncion Co-Director, Adaptech Research Network http://www.adaptech.org From hunziker at email.arizona.edu Sat Jun 9 14:31:22 2007 From: hunziker at email.arizona.edu (Dawn Hunziker) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Skype and Zoomtext Message-ID: <20070609143122.pj1uw4cccskwoc0g@www.email.arizona.edu> Hi, A graduate student is being asked by her department to install SKYPE on her laptop to conduct interviews internationally. She is currently using ZoomText 9.1 -- does anyone know if there are any conflicts between these programs? Thanks for your input! Dawn -- Dawn Hunziker Assistive Technology Coordinator Disability Resource Center 520-626-9409 hunziker@email.arizona.edu From edward at ngtvoice.com Sat Jun 9 14:45:31 2007 From: edward at ngtvoice.com (Ed. Rosenthal) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Skype and Zoomtext In-Reply-To: <20070609143122.pj1uw4cccskwoc0g@www.email.arizona.edu> References: <20070609143122.pj1uw4cccskwoc0g@www.email.arizona.edu> Message-ID: <002501c7aadf$81f4ee10$85deca30$@com> Dawn- I've never had any problems with these two applications on the same PC or used in tandem....ed. -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Dawn Hunziker Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 2:31 PM To: athen@athenpro.org Subject: [Athen] Skype and Zoomtext Hi, A graduate student is being asked by her department to install SKYPE on her laptop to conduct interviews internationally. She is currently using ZoomText 9.1 -- does anyone know if there are any conflicts between these programs? Thanks for your input! Dawn -- Dawn Hunziker Assistive Technology Coordinator Disability Resource Center 520-626-9409 hunziker@email.arizona.edu _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From dick.banks at gmail.com Sat Jun 9 14:48:31 2007 From: dick.banks at gmail.com (Dick Banks) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Skype and Zoomtext In-Reply-To: <20070609143122.pj1uw4cccskwoc0g@www.email.arizona.edu> Message-ID: You should have no trouble at all. ZT handles Skype just fine. Dick ----- Original Message --------------- Subject: [Athen] Skype and Zoomtext From: Dawn Hunziker Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 14:31:22 -0700 To: athen@athenpro.org >Hi, > >A graduate student is being asked by her department to install SKYPE on >her laptop to conduct interviews internationally. She is currently >using ZoomText 9.1 -- does anyone know if there are any conflicts >between these programs? > >Thanks for your input! > >Dawn >-- >Dawn Hunziker >Assistive Technology Coordinator >Disability Resource Center > >520-626-9409 >hunziker@email.arizona.edu > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From pratikp1 at gmail.com Sat Jun 9 19:09:51 2007 From: pratikp1 at gmail.com (Pratik Patel) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- In-Reply-To: <001501c7a9f8$c0f78920$83e2fea9@laptop> References: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> <001501c7a9f8$c0f78920$83e2fea9@laptop> Message-ID: <059501c7ab04$6e792340$4b6b69c0$@com> Here's a radical suggestion, which will be a bit hard to implement. Convert that one machine to Vista. IF ZT Uses the mirror driver in Vista, the ocnflict will be gone. The question is whether the graphics program will support your effort. Hey, I said it was radical, didn't I? On second thought, go with Ron's or E.A.'s suggestions. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of E.A. Draffan Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 2:14 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- If the student does not want anything too complicated I know Lightning uses the off screen model so should work - if you need speech with it Storm is coming along! http://www.clarosoftware.com/index.php?cPath=262 Also works on a pen drive (memory stick) Best wishes E.A. -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:33 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- That is one of the suggestions I am hoping to hear. I started with ZT because that is what we have on hand. I spoke with Van and she said I should speak with Garath. I'm just covering my bases. Thanks --- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Ron Stewart >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:19 PM >To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' >Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >Have you tried Lunar, it does very well with these kinds of things. > >Ron > >-----Original Message----- >From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On >Behalf Of Berkowitz, Daniel J >Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:53 PM >To: Alternate Media; Access Technologists in Higher Education Network >Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- > >... the great Video Card shootout. > >Hello all --- We have a low vision student entering a graphic design >program and are looking to screen enhancement/magnification as part of a >support solution. > >Today I met with the course instructor and loaded ZoomText onto his >workstation. When he opened the graphics program MAYA it fought with ZT >over control of the video card. The effect was cool looking but totally >defeated the purpose of ZT. > >I am looking for options. Different software? Different video >card/drivers? > >Here is information on MAYA - >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(software) > >The other software in use in this program are Photoshop and After >Effects -- both are Adobe products. > >Thanks --- Dann > > >========================= >Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director >Boston University Office of Disability Services >19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor >Boston, MA 02215 > >(617) 353-3658 (office) >(617) 353-9646 (fax) >djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) >www.bu.edu/disability > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 07/06/2007 14:21 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 07/06/2007 14:21 _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From pratikp1 at gmail.com Sat Jun 9 21:10:15 2007 From: pratikp1 at gmail.com (Pratik Patel) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. In-Reply-To: <024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> <024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From djbrky at bu.edu Sun Jun 10 04:23:53 2007 From: djbrky at bu.edu (Berkowitz, Daniel J) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:31 2018 Subject: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- References: <00fe01c7a9f1$1fb756f0$5f2604d0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116034083FB@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> <001501c7a9f8$c0f78920$83e2fea9@laptop> <059501c7ab04$6e792340$4b6b69c0$@com> Message-ID: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C7116031C6F4B@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Never a dull moment when Pratik glides into the room --- I am going to have to give the Vista suggestion a try elsewhere. For this instance we have to stay with XP due to the graphics program. I like Joe's suggestion to "switch Maya to use a software renderer instead of using the graphics card" and will pass that along -- but do not want to implement anything that could prove messy. I think we shall start with running a trial with Lunar and then Lightning. (yeesh --- add in names like SuperNova, Storm, Dolphin, Jaws the line between software programs and superhero names starts to blur -- pretty soon CSUN will resemble the JLA) For lectures we are going to make use of the WhiteBoard/SmartBoard already in the classroom. For figure drawing class we are going to use the Flipper we have available and see how it goes. Any further suggestions are appreciated. Thanks all ---- Dann ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org on behalf of Pratik Patel Sent: Sat 6/9/2007 10:09 PM To: ea@emptech.info; 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- Here's a radical suggestion, which will be a bit hard to implement. Convert that one machine to Vista. IF ZT Uses the mirror driver in Vista, the ocnflict will be gone. The question is whether the graphics program will support your effort. Hey, I said it was radical, didn't I? On second thought, go with Ron's or E.A.'s suggestions. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of E.A. Draffan Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 2:14 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] Screen Magnification and Open GL --- or--- If the student does not want anything too complicated I know Lightning uses the off screen model so should work - if you need speech with it Storm is coming along! http://www.clarosoftware.com/index.php?cPath=262 Also works on a pen drive (memory stick) Best wishes E.A. From terrih at asu.edu Sun Jun 10 04:57:14 2007 From: terrih at asu.edu (Terri Hedgpeth) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> Message-ID: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304DEF@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Thank you Pratik for this insight. Interesting that this "Group" is gaining monetarily from this conversion process. One wonders if there wasn't a little coercion involved. "If you want our support in this process ..." I feel like there are a big group of sheep just following what their leader tells them to do, and they aren't questioning anything. I was pleased to see that John also questioned this whole situation. Terri -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 9:10 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this fie ld is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The do wnload service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Sun Jun 10 05:16:12 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. In-Reply-To: <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> <024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> Message-ID: <001501c7ab59$26250d70$726f2850$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Thanks Pratik I appreciate your insights, my life these days is constantly mired in the politics of e-text. If the various disability advocacy organizations could get a common front they could really change the world. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From kestrell at panix.com Sun Jun 10 08:12:06 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books forthe Blind. References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com><00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea> <024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <003601c7ab71$b84c22c0$05fea8c0@Galatea> Ron, I am totally with you on the fact that this is not just a BVI issue, and I also like to point out hwo many people with print disabilities use the special libraries, including one student I know who uses alt format books because he has MS, which affects his ability to focus his gaze for visual reading. Unfortunately, for a lot of people uninformed about print disabilities and/or the state of digital book technology, the blind students are the only group on the radar, because it seems pretty unambiguous that people with no vision require alt format books. Aside from the need to get other groups on the radar regarding who is using alt format books, I think we need to have more open discussion about what literacy means, and what is involved once we take literacy beyond the traditional definition attached to print and paper books. There is still a bias against seeing digital books as "real" books, and so the idea still predominates that only a minority of students with serious disabilities need or benefit from alt format books. I think part of this is generational in that, as more people who are more familiar with using non-traditional format books filter into decisionmaking positions in education and politics, they will have a better intuitive understanding of how non-traditional books are used by large numbers of readers. However, at this point, I still hear a lot of people refering to only print and paper books as "real" books, with the unspoken implication that using any kind of electronic or audio format is somehow not the same thing as reading or being literate. Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books forthe Blind. > Morning, > > Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for > print access in this conversation as well. > > This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as > only > a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, > LD, > Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and > Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being > talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its > heart, > it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with > disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers > but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their > ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all > students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily > be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a > blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain > on > the margins of the mainstream discussion. > > This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all > groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last > few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to > count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is > why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is > until > you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related > disabilities > you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as > vocal > as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the > groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed > agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are > dedicated to serving. > > Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis > this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it > necessary > to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY > technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about > expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the > educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not > a > place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of > thinking > promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream > technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for > DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed > technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT > world. > > The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property > do > not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their > original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. > The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. > Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the > same > things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with > the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and > private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the > first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are > using public funds for the process. > > The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good > set > of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected > in > the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the > AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about > copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is > why > we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions > to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to > be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, > but > no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the > competing > issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. > > When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our > effort > no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee > is > not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking > some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think > they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but > when > a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should > they > expect. > > Ron > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Kestrell > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > Ron, > > I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for > the > > blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as > software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able > to > > get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My > impression > > is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, > and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the > distribution > > method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the > books and the players. > > There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most > efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those > dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the > committees that make the decisions. > > Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is > taking > the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is > the > > same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the > copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about > being > > held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go > design > these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS > or > > RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format > dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship > witht he consumer). > > > Alicia/Kestrell > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Stewart" > To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" > > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM > Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > >>I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that >> if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >> feathered. >> >> >> Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple >> of >> conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the >> funding >> is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work >> with >> any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has >> been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to >> be >> honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more >> of >> an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and >> reinvents the wheel like this. >> >> Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores >> of >> this. >> >> Ron Stewart >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com >> [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews >> Mailing List >> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM >> To: Blind News >> Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> >> PressRelease >> Author : National Federation of the Blind >> Earthtimes.org - USA >> Thu, 07 Jun 2007. >> >> >> On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch >> Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books >> for >> the Blind program of the Library of Congress. >> >> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: >> "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a >> national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by >> the >> Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed >> that >> a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since >> literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the >> $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape >> technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted >> to >> shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio >> books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the >> digital >> playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is >> at >> a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years >> has >> become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. >> Virtually, >> all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to >> state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions >> of >> dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind >> is >> unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, >> Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore >> urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members >> of >> the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the >> full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the >> Blind >> and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production >> of >> digital talking books and players." >> >> The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including >> blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are >> losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the >> baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this >> essential program will only increase. >> >> CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National >> Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: >> +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org >> >> Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ >> >> http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml >> >> >> >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm >> ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html >> -- >> BlindNews mailing list >> >> To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a >> message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com >> >> The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ >> >> To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: >> BlindNews@blindprogramming.com >> >> Access your subscription info at: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com >> >> To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to >> BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in >> either >> the subject or body of the message >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Athen mailing list >> Athen@athenpro.org >> http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From kestrell at panix.com Sun Jun 10 08:29:04 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <00aa01c7aaa3$09ecbf10$05fea8c0@Galatea><024c01c7aaae$0ebce3c0$2c36ab40$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> Message-ID: <00ce01c7ab74$1431c2f0$05fea8c0@Galatea> Pratik, Actually, I would love to hear more of this rant, as it is one of the most informative rants I have heard on the subject. Are you writing or otherwise blogging about this somewhere? As a blind reader, I have my own rants on this subject, including the fact that the NLS and RFBD increasing levels of DRM have made reading their books so onerous that I rarely read anything from these libraries anymore. All my "special" hardware players have died, and I refuse to allow the RFBD to install anything on my beloved Book Port, and I am probably going to have my twenty+ year membership to RFBD lapse as I refuse to sign the third DRM end-user agreement in three years that i was sent. Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pratik Patel" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. > There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the > digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not > support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page > numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly > lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text > either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined > that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add > considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by > one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest > in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, > the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to > change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very > odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook > legislation and the political nature of this fie > ld is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, > the more annoying this gets. > > My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the > organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or > beliefs. > > NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. > The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using > an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS > will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do > not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and > proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software > players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after > it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I > love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The > players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY > material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope > this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow > manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those > individuals interested in the digital download service. The do > wnload service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service > currently provided to the patrons. > > If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in > Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is > to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to > digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not > suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has > requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points > about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to > move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to > put its plans into effect at this stage. ... > > I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen > to/read my rants. > > Pratik > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Ron Stewart > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > Morning, > > Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for > print access in this conversation as well. > > This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as > only > a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, > LD, > Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and > Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being > talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its > heart, > it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with > disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers > but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their > ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all > students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily > be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a > blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain > on > the margins of the mainstream discussion. > > This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all > groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last > few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to > count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is > why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is > until > you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related > disabilities > you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as > vocal > as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the > groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed > agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are > dedicated to serving. > > Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis > this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it > necessary > to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY > technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about > expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the > educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not > a > place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of > thinking > promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream > technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for > DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed > technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT > world. > > The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property > do > not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their > original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. > The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. > Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the > same > things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with > the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and > private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the > first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are > using public funds for the process. > > The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good > set > of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected > in > the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the > AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about > copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is > why > we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions > to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to > be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, > but > no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the > competing > issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. > > When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our > effort > no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee > is > not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking > some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think > they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but > when > a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should > they > expect. > > Ron > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Kestrell > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > Ron, > > I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for > the > > blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as > software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able > to > > get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My > impression > > is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, > and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the > distribution > > method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the > books and the players. > > There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most > efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those > dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the > committees that make the decisions. > > Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is > taking > the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is > the > > same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the > copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about > being > > held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go > design > these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS > or > > RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format > dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship > witht he consumer). > > > Alicia/Kestrell > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Stewart" > To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" > > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM > Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > >>I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that >> if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >> feathered. >> >> >> Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple >> of >> conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the >> funding >> is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work >> with >> any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has >> been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to >> be >> honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more >> of >> an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and >> reinvents the wheel like this. >> >> Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores >> of >> this. >> >> Ron Stewart >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com >> [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews >> Mailing List >> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM >> To: Blind News >> Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> >> PressRelease >> Author : National Federation of the Blind >> Earthtimes.org - USA >> Thu, 07 Jun 2007. >> >> >> On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch >> Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books >> for >> the Blind program of the Library of Congress. >> >> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: >> "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a >> national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by >> the >> Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed >> that >> a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since >> literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the >> $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape >> technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted >> to >> shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio >> books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the >> digital >> playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is >> at >> a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years >> has >> become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. >> Virtually, >> all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to >> state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions >> of >> dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind >> is >> unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, >> Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore >> urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members >> of >> the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the >> full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the >> Blind >> and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production >> of >> digital talking books and players." >> >> The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including >> blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are >> losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the >> baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this >> essential program will only increase. >> >> CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National >> Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: >> +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org >> >> Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ >> >> http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml >> >> >> >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm >> ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html >> -- >> BlindNews mailing list >> >> To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a >> message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com >> >> The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ >> >> To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: >> BlindNews@blindprogramming.com >> >> Access your subscription info at: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com >> >> To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to >> BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in >> either >> the subject or body of the message >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Athen mailing list >> Athen@athenpro.org >> http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From obriemic at hvcc.edu Mon Jun 11 08:45:30 2007 From: obriemic at hvcc.edu (Michael O'Brien) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. In-Reply-To: <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> Message-ID: <200706111545.AHL75663@hvcc.edu> I can well understand why NLS chose to go with Flash, rather than CD, since Flash has no moving parts, requiring less need for maintenance, not to mention, increasing its usability by the ability-diverse nature of NLS Users, and CD appears to be in the beginning stages of obsolescence. Also, I thought NLS was adopting the Daisy-NISO digital format, which is what I thought the rest of the world was converting to. Other than the use of CD, how is the rest of the world differing in its digital conversion process? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:32 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for theBlind. There's a real danger that the National Library Service of the Library of Congress will go away if it does not get funding to improve its technology for talking books. However, like you, Ron, I share the feeling that the current crisis is, at least in part, a self-inflicted wound due to the technology development choices that NLS leaders made. I wish NLS decided to work with the rest of the world in the development of talking book technology. But they did not, and now we have a crisis on our hands. Personally, I plan to support Congress's funding NLS fully, but I wish we could get NLS to pursue more open technology than they have. It's a real shame that it has come to this, and one can only hope that all will do the right thing. Congress should fund NLS well, and NLS should get on board with what other alternate format libraries are doing. It will be interesting to see if these conditions can co-exist. Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and feathered. Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like this. Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores of this. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews Mailing List Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM To: Blind News Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. PressRelease Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 Jun 2007. On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. Virtually, all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital talking books and players." The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html -- BlindNews mailing list To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: BlindNews@blindprogramming.com Access your subscription info at: http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either the subject or body of the message _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From obriemic at hvcc.edu Mon Jun 11 08:52:07 2007 From: obriemic at hvcc.edu (Michael O'Brien) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <05de01c7ab15$40440150$c0cc03f0$@com> Message-ID: <200706111552.AHL75829@hvcc.edu> Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know that > if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a couple > of > conversations with legislative types, the number one issue for the funding > is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf technology or work with > any of the exsisting commercial solutions to build this reader. This has > been an issue throughout the development process on this reader, and to be > honest I am not surprised by this at all. It is becoming more and more of > an issues with federal funding of projects when the project goes off and > reinvents the wheel like this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and werefores > of > this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind > Earthtimes.org - USA > Thu, 07 Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books for > the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis a > national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated by the > Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and disappointed > that > a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our literacy needs since > literacy leads to independence. By appropriating only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette tape > technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has effectively voted > to > shut down the only public library available to blind Americans. The audio > books produced by the Library of Congress will be useless unless the > digital > playback technology is provided for readers. The Talking Book program is > at > a crossroads because the analog tape used for the past thirty-six years > has > become obsolete and must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of billions of > dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind program behind > is > unconscionable. Since it is early in the appropriations process, however, > Congress still has time to correct this grievous error. We therefore > urgently appeal to the full House Appropriations Committee, the members of > the House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to provide the > full $19.1 million requested by the National Library Service for the Blind > and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production > of > digital talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, including > blind children and an ever-increasing number of older Americans who are > losing vision. The incidence of blindness is expected to increase as the > baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Therefore, the need for this > essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the National > Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtml > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/attachm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send a > message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming.com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in either > the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From terrih at asu.edu Mon Jun 11 09:11:58 2007 From: terrih at asu.edu (Terri Hedgpeth) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <200706111552.AHL75829@hvcc.edu> Message-ID: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304EA5@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Michael, I believe that NLS is not including page and chapter navigation, because they are operating in the old mind think of anilog recording. I also think that this came about by them alining themselves with one consumer organization as their primary source of input rather then including input from educators from k-12 and postsecondary institutions or professionals in a formalized manner. Basically they don't seem to have been thinking outside of the box. That is to bad, considering such a time for transition would seem to be an optimal time for innovative and forward thinking regarding access to books. Best Terri Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 8:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know >that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a > couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue > for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf > technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to > build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development > process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at > all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding > of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like > this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and > werefores of this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 > Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books > for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis > a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated > by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and > disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our > literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating > only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette > tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has > effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to > blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress > will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for > readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the > analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and > must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of > billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind > program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the > appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct > this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House > Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, > and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million > requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically > Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital > talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, > including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older > Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is > expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement > age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the > National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtm > l > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was > scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send > a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in > either the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From marks at mso.umt.edu Mon Jun 11 10:00:10 2007 From: marks at mso.umt.edu (Marks, Jim) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books fortheBlind. In-Reply-To: <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> References: <01bc01c7aa13$ac9efe70$05dcfb50$@stewart@dolphinusa.com><14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AC1@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> <003201c7aa63$49987180$a1f8fea9@johnz> Message-ID: <14BCA38CB48BE940AB983D950061FA7A3E1AD2@MUMMAILVS2.gs.umt.edu> My understanding of what NLS plans, and this could be incorrect, is that NLS will use media and players that are proprietary and non-commercial in nature. So, instead of being able to go out and buy a player of choice, NLS patrons will be stuck with whatever NLS provides us. It may well be that a market will respond after NLS does its thing. NLS is using Daisy, though. Unfortunately, the navigation levels in the proposed NLS talking books will be very poor. NLS is trying to serve the lowest common denominator, and they offer a system that pretty much rules out the functionality many of us have come to value as vital in our print alternative books. My main issue with NLS is that it did not collaborate very much with organizations like Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and other libraries of alternate formats, including those provided by countries other than the US. When the half-speed, four-sided tape cassette technology came out, all the libraries cooperated to deliver products that were similar enough to make them standard and highly functional as a result. Now we face some serious chaos in how to read talking books and e-text. I just wish NLS had taken the time to work within the existing structures already in place out there. Even so, we ought to support NLS funding so that its resources do not go away. For me, it's like NLS is an old friend who has done something stupid enough to warrant criticism, but one would not turn away from that friend in a crisis. The funding issue is indeed a crisis Jim Marks Director of Disability Services University of Montana jim.marks@umontana.edu http://www.umt.edu/dss/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of John Gardner Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 12:56 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books fortheBlind. Perhaps somebody could point me to info about NLS developments. My understanding is that they are developing a flash-based/downloadable distribution system instead of CD's but otherwise are using standard DDAISY. Is this wrong? John From obriemic at hvcc.edu Mon Jun 11 11:07:30 2007 From: obriemic at hvcc.edu (Michael O'Brien) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304EA5@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Message-ID: <200706111807.AHL78636@hvcc.edu> Terri: What's funny about this is NLS, in its continuing publicity and justification for the change, touts the advantages of navigation features, such as chapter and page, and indicates these will be included in D.T.B.S it produces. Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 12:12 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Michael, I believe that NLS is not including page and chapter navigation, because they are operating in the old mind think of anilog recording. I also think that this came about by them alining themselves with one consumer organization as their primary source of input rather then including input from educators from k-12 and postsecondary institutions or professionals in a formalized manner. Basically they don't seem to have been thinking outside of the box. That is to bad, considering such a time for transition would seem to be an optimal time for innovative and forward thinking regarding access to books. Best Terri Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 8:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know >that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a > couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue > for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf > technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to > build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development > process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at > all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding > of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like > this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and > werefores of this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 > Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books > for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis > a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated > by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and > disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our > literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating > only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette > tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has > effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to > blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress > will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for > readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the > analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and > must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of > billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind > program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the > appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct > this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House > Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, > and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million > requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically > Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital > talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, > including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older > Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is > expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement > age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the > National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtm > l > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was > scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send > a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in > either the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From terrih at asu.edu Mon Jun 11 11:19:56 2007 From: terrih at asu.edu (Terri Hedgpeth) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <200706111807.AHL78636@hvcc.edu> Message-ID: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304FB3@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Interesting, it all smacks of deception don't you think? Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 11:08 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Terri: What's funny about this is NLS, in its continuing publicity and justification for the change, touts the advantages of navigation features, such as chapter and page, and indicates these will be included in D.T.B.S it produces. Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 12:12 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Michael, I believe that NLS is not including page and chapter navigation, because they are operating in the old mind think of anilog recording. I also think that this came about by them alining themselves with one consumer organization as their primary source of input rather then including input from educators from k-12 and postsecondary institutions or professionals in a formalized manner. Basically they don't seem to have been thinking outside of the box. That is to bad, considering such a time for transition would seem to be an optimal time for innovative and forward thinking regarding access to books. Best Terri Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 8:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know >that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a > couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue > for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf > technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to > build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development > process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at > all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding > of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like > this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and > werefores of this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 > Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books > for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis > a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated > by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and > disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our > literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating > only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette > tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has > effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to > blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress > will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for > readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the > analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and > must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of > billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind > program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the > appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct > this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House > Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, > and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million > requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically > Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital > talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, > including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older > Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is > expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement > age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the > National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtm > l > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was > scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send > a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in > either the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From obriemic at hvcc.edu Mon Jun 11 11:35:29 2007 From: obriemic at hvcc.edu (Michael O'Brien) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304FB3@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Message-ID: <200706111835.AHL79249@hvcc.edu> Terri: On the surface, it does, though I'd really like to hear NLS's side of the story. My understanding is The books will have a number of navigational features, but the players will be produced in several models, designed to suit various reader abilities and preferences. Because of this, not all models, therefore, will support all features. Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 2:20 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Interesting, it all smacks of deception don't you think? Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 11:08 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Terri: What's funny about this is NLS, in its continuing publicity and justification for the change, touts the advantages of navigation features, such as chapter and page, and indicates these will be included in D.T.B.S it produces. Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 12:12 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Michael, I believe that NLS is not including page and chapter navigation, because they are operating in the old mind think of anilog recording. I also think that this came about by them alining themselves with one consumer organization as their primary source of input rather then including input from educators from k-12 and postsecondary institutions or professionals in a formalized manner. Basically they don't seem to have been thinking outside of the box. That is to bad, considering such a time for transition would seem to be an optimal time for innovative and forward thinking regarding access to books. Best Terri Dr. Terri Hedgpeth Academic Research Professional CUbiC #376, iCare (480) 727-8133 V (480) 965-1885 Fax CUbiC.asu.edu http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 8:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? Mike -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Pratik Patel Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the Blind. There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the more annoying this gets. My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability or beliefs. NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of Science. The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short time after it's released. NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the digital download service. The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille service currently provided to the patrons. If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to put its plans into effect at this stage. ... I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen to/read my rants. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Morning, Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition for print access in this conversation as well. This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the mainstream discussion. This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of the people we are dedicated to serving. Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that is the result of closed technology development especially in the current fluid and dymanic IT world. The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of conversation and concern. The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. Especially when they are using public funds for the process. The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of which are not even related to access and disability. When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of target on their back what should they expect. Ron -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. Ron, I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for the blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be able to get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My impression is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the distribution method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of the books and the players. There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the committees that make the decisions. Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special formats" is the same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about being held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of these NLS or RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the relationship witht he consumer). Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Stewart" To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know >that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and >feathered. > > > Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a > couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue > for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf > technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to > build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development > process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at > all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding > of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like > this. > > Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and > werefores of this. > > Ron Stewart > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com > [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > Mailing List > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM > To: Blind News > Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. > > > PressRelease > Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 > Jun 2007. > > > On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch > Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books > for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. > > Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: > "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis > a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated > by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and > disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our > literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating > only $7.5 million of the > $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette > tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has > effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to > blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress > will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for > readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the > analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and > must be replaced for the program to continue. > Virtually, > all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of > billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind > program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the > appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct > this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House > Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, > and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million > requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically > Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital > talking books and players." > > The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, > including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older > Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is > expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement > age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only increase. > > CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the > National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, Cell: > +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org > > Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ > > http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtm > l > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was > scrubbed... > URL: > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att achm > ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html > -- > BlindNews mailing list > > To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send > a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com > > The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ > > To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: > BlindNews@blindprogramming.com > > Access your subscription info at: > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. com > > To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to > BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in > either the subject or body of the message > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From enda.guinan at nuim.ie Tue Jun 12 02:55:45 2007 From: enda.guinan at nuim.ie (Enda P Guinan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Google Accessibility Lobbying? Message-ID: <01MHP672APPA009ZCG@NUIM.IE> Hi all, A colleague in Dublin (http://www.cfit.ie/home/mozilla.html) has asked me if there are groups in the US lobbying Google around accessibility (esp. Gmail). He'd like to make contact. I'm not up-to-speed with this particular debate so if anyone could make suggestions, I'd be grateful. Thanks Enda Enda P Guinan Assistive Technology Advisor Access Office National University of Ireland, Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland P: +353 1 708 4654 F: +353 1 708 3838 E: enda.guinan@nuim.ie W: http://access.nuim.ie/disability -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enda.guinan at nuim.ie Tue Jun 12 03:17:00 2007 From: enda.guinan at nuim.ie (Enda P Guinan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Google Accessibility Lobbying Update! Message-ID: <01MHP6XF0ETM00ALAK@NUIM.IE> And here's what prompted the question. Story number 1 on the BBC's Technology News! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6741797.stm Enda P Guinan Assistive Technology Advisor Access Office National University of Ireland, Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland P: +353 1 708 4654 F: +353 1 708 3838 E: enda.guinan@nuim.ie W: http://access.nuim.ie -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From accessible.text at gmail.com Tue Jun 12 06:17:40 2007 From: accessible.text at gmail.com (Robert Martinengo) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. In-Reply-To: <200706111835.AHL79249@hvcc.edu> References: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304FB3@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> <200706111835.AHL79249@hvcc.edu> Message-ID: <9edf8160706120617l50d7c5a3h3d4e7f2f63ac1aed@mail.gmail.com> I appreciate this thoughtful discussion and critique of NLS policies - it really needs to happen at a broader level. I hope some of these concerns are raised at the Q&A session the NLS is having at the NFB convention next month. Bob On 6/11/07, Michael O'Brien wrote: > Terri: > > On the surface, it does, though I'd really like to hear NLS's side > of the story. My understanding is The books will have a number of > navigational features, but the players will be produced in several models, > designed to suit various reader abilities and preferences. Because of this, > not all models, therefore, will support all features. > > Mike > From kestrell at panix.com Tue Jun 12 06:49:04 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. References: <6DC38348EDE07642B024AA3CA0AA1BDC05304FB3@EX04.asurite.ad.asu.edu> Message-ID: <005001c7acf8$73e17210$05fea8c0@Galatea> Terri, You can read it as deception, but, as someone who has beenf ollowing the development and Web distribution decisions for NLS for years, I read it as the sort of "right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing" synmaic that occurs when managment and lawyers make decisions about technology about which they have little understanding outside it's ability to be easily copied. Alicia/Kestrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terri Hedgpeth" To: "Access Technologists in Higher Education Network" Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 2:19 PM Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the Blind. > Interesting, it all smacks of deception don't you think? > > > Dr. Terri Hedgpeth > Academic Research Professional > CUbiC #376, iCare > (480) 727-8133 V > (480) 965-1885 Fax > CUbiC.asu.edu > http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Michael O'Brien > Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 11:08 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the > Blind. > > Terri: > > What's funny about this is NLS, in its continuing publicity and > justification for the change, touts the advantages of navigation > features, such as chapter and page, and indicates these will be included > in D.T.B.S it produces. > > Mike > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth > Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 12:12 PM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the > Blind. > > Michael, > I believe that NLS is not including page and chapter navigation, because > they are operating in the old mind think of anilog recording. I also > think that this came about by them alining themselves with one consumer > organization as their primary source of input rather then including > input from educators from k-12 and postsecondary institutions or > professionals in a formalized manner. Basically they don't seem to have > been thinking outside of the box. That is to bad, considering such a > time for transition would seem to be an optimal time for innovative and > forward thinking regarding access to books. > > Best > Terri > > > > > Dr. Terri Hedgpeth > Academic Research Professional > CUbiC #376, iCare > (480) 727-8133 V > (480) 965-1885 Fax > CUbiC.asu.edu > http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/ > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Michael O'Brien > Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 8:52 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could EndBooksfor the > Blind. > > > Forgive me for my ignorance, but why should it cost > significantly more to ad page numbering and chapter headings? Text I > can understand, but all you'd need to do is type in a chapter or page > code as the book is recorded, to add these navigation features, right? > > Mike > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Pratik Patel > Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:10 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Booksfor the > Blind. > > There is, sadly, blindness politics involved in the NLS development of > the digital delivery project. In all this, NLS has decided that it will > not support one of the most important feature of a DAISY/DTB book, page > numbering. I am beta testing the download service and it is certainly > lacking in that regard. None of the books will be accompanied by text > either. Unfortunately the design phase (or Frank Kert Cinke) determined > that adding page number navigation to newly developed DTB's would add > considerable cost to NLS's processes. This was partly a decision made > by one of the blindness organizations, which has a strong monitary > interest in the NLS digital development. the other organization lacks > leadership, the willingness, or the understanding to do anything about > it. I hope to change that soon. Forgive me for being so cynical but > there are some very odd political things going on in New york with the > Higher Ed textbook legislation and the political nature of this field is > becomming more and more evident to me. The more money is involved, the > more annoying this gets. > > My apologies to those individuals who may belong to either of the > organizations. My inditement does not reflect on your personal ability > or beliefs. > > NLS is using a DRM system developed by the National Institute of > Science. > The current beta test of the download delivery is taking place by using > an SD card and a modified Victor Classic desktop player. Supposedly, > NLS will be supporting manufacturers of other hardware players--notice I > do not say sofftware players--who wish to develop support for NLS's DRM > and proprietary flash-based cartredge. NLS has chosen not to support > software players as they fully expect the DRM to be broken in a short > time after it's released. > NLS wants to show no support for any such activity. I love governmental > agencies who are afraid of their own shadows! The players that NLS will > be supporting will not be able to playback DAISY material that does not > comply with the DRM technology. I certainly hope this doesn't remain > the case for too long. NLS plans to allow manufacturers to develop > resellable hardware cartredges for those individuals interested in the > digital download service. > The download service will work in a similar manner to the Web braille > service currently provided to the patrons. > > If NLS receives the partial funding promised by the current atmosphere > in Congress, it will not be the end of NLS or the program. This funding > is to supplement what NLS already receives on an annual basis. The > move to digital will happen much more slowly than NLS predicted. I'm > not suggesting that NLS should not receive its full funding as it has > requested. But, certainly needs to explain some very important points > about their decisions and contracts. I'm doing my part to get people to > move on this issue as I do believe that the agency should be allowed to > put its plans into effect at this stage. ... > > I could go on; but I know ya'all got better things to do than listen > to/read my rants. > > Pratik > > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Ron Stewart > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:52 AM > To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > Morning, > > Pullling out the soapbox here. You can substitute Distance Educaition > for print access in this conversation as well. > > This is not just a blindness issue! And as long as it is presented as > only a VI/B issue it is never going to go anyplace. This is a VI/B, > ADD/ADHD, LD, Cognitive Processing, Dyslexic, Developmental Disability, > TBI, and Psyciatric disability issue. Did I miss any? I do not even > want to being talking about ESL and developmental Ed. From my > perspecitive, at its heart, it is another issue about inclusion and > acceptance of folks with disabilities in our global society. This is > not just about Blind Readers but the entire continuum of people with > disabilities related to their ability to effectively use print based > materials. If we look at all students who would benefit from more > accessible curriculum it could easily be as high as 25% of our students. > As long as the conversation remains a blind centric one the issues of > inclusion and success are going to remain on the margins of the > mainstream discussion. > > This is true for all topics of educational and societal reform for all > groups that are living on the margins of mainstream society. In the > last few years I have now been involved in more conversations that I > care to count on this topic and often one of the first questions that > comes up is why can we not make any progress on this, and my typicall > response is until you start to include the other 75% of folks with print > related disabilities you will not. These other groups are not typically > as organized or as vocal as the VI/B groups and that contributes to the > problem. Often times the groups involved are so worried about protecting > their turf and closed agendas that it all gets lost in the real need of > the people we are dedicated to serving. > > Being very involved in the whole Alt Format discussion on a global basis > this still does not effectively explain to me why the NLS felt it > necessary to go out and develop propriety closed market technology. I > was at a DAISY technical meeting this last week in Toronto and asked a > question about expansion beyond the focus on the special libraries to > include the educaitional space in the development of the specifications > and it was not a place anyone else at the table seemed to want to go. > This kind of thinking promotes the possible irrelevance of the DAISY > work as the mainstream technology moves beyond it. Don't get me wrong I > am a strong advocate for DAISY and its impact on our students, but that > is the result of closed technology development especially in the current > fluid and dymanic IT world. > > The compliance with closed format and protection of intellection > property do not in any way require this kind of reader. Since they > published their original strategic plan this has been a topic of > conversation and concern. > The more they went down the closed technology route the more it came up. > Nor does it explain why other national libraries are doing some of the > same things, don't make questionable decisions unless your willing to > deal with the consiquences. If the various development communities, both > public and private, have good robust technologies in the marketspace > then that is the first place agencies should look for solution. > Especially when they are using public funds for the process. > > The DAISY PTDB2 standard for DRM in DAISY books provides for a very good > set of protocols for insuring that Intellectual Property rights are > protected in the development and distribution of DAISY materials. With > my work in the AHEAD E-Text and NIMAS groups I have found that the > discussion about copyright is typically a slippery slope and straw man > argument. That is why we have made the decision to put it aside and > focus on pragmatic solutions to the issues at hand at least in the > AHEAD work. The topic does need to be revisited and the Chaffee > exemption brought into the information age, but no one wants to open up > the copyright law that is aware of all the competing issues most of > which are not even related to access and disability. > > When the government is trying to cut funds at every turn, it does our > effort no good to shoot ourselves in the foot. Secondly the House > SubCommittee is not intending to End books for the blind they are doing > our job and asking some hard questions about the appropriate use of > public funds. Do I think they should spend their time looking at pork > elsewhere, of course, but when a government agency puts this kind of > target on their back what should they expect. > > Ron > > -----Original Message----- > From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On > Behalf Of Kestrell > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28 AM > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > Subject: Re: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > Ron, > > I have spoken to a number of people involved in special librariaries for > the > > blind, and all of them insist that their players, hardware as well as > software, must include DRM restrictions or the libraries will not be > able to > > get the cooperations of publishers in distributing their work. My > impression > > is that the state of the technology is dictated by the libraries' > lawyers, and that perspective dictates the design of the technology, the > distribution > > method, and everything else involved in the design and distribution of > the books and the players. > > There are lots of blind readers who comprehend that this is not the most > efficient or most economically sound method for doing things, but those > dissenters seem tobe in the minority, or, at least, not on any of the > committees that make the decisions. > > Ultimately, I find it sadly ironic that the same government which is > taking the NLS to task for insisting on the more expensive "special > formats" is the > > same government that has contributed so much to the arcane nature of the > copyright laws which have left the special libraries so paranoid about > being > > held accountable for any infringement that they feel compelled to go > design these special players (read the copyright declaration on any of > these NLS or > > RFBD or even Bookshare books and you will get an idea of how the format > dictates the player and the distribution method, and even the > relationship witht he consumer). > > > Alicia/Kestrell > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Stewart" > To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" > > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:26 PM > Subject: [Athen] FW: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the > Blind. > > >>I have a tendency to stick my foot into sticky things and I also know >>that if I respond on any of the blindness lists I would be tarred and > >>feathered. >> >> >> Based on my understanding from a recent trip to Washigton DC and a >> couple of conversations with legislative types, the number one issue >> for the funding is the fact that the NLS did not use off the shelf >> technology or work with any of the exsisting commercial solutions to >> build this reader. This has been an issue throughout the development >> process on this reader, and to be honest I am not surprised by this at > >> all. It is becoming more and more of an issues with federal funding >> of projects when the project goes off and reinvents the wheel like >> this. >> >> Anybody want to help me become better informed on the whys and >> werefores of this. >> >> Ron Stewart >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com >> [mailto:blindnews-bounces@blindprogramming.com] On Behalf Of BlindNews > >> Mailing List >> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:43 PM >> To: Blind News >> Subject: House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> House Subcommittee Vote Could End Books for the Blind. >> >> >> PressRelease >> Author : National Federation of the Blind Earthtimes.org - USA Thu, 07 > >> Jun 2007. >> >> >> On Wednesday, June 6, the House of Representatives Legislative Branch >> Appropriations Subcommittee voted to substantially underfund the Books > >> for the Blind program of the Library of Congress. >> >> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, > said: >> "Since 1931, Congress has consistently supported on a bipartisan basis > >> a national program of audio and Braille books for the blind, operated >> by the Library of Congress. The blind of America are shocked and >> disappointed that a House subcommittee has callously disregarded our >> literacy needs since literacy leads to independence. By appropriating >> only $7.5 million of the >> $19.1 million needed for transition from antiquated analog cassette >> tape technology to digital technology, the subcommittee has >> effectively voted to shut down the only public library available to >> blind Americans. The audio books produced by the Library of Congress >> will be useless unless the digital playback technology is provided for > >> readers. The Talking Book program is at a crossroads because the >> analog tape used for the past thirty-six years has become obsolete and > >> must be replaced for the program to continue. >> Virtually, >> all government programs, except Books for the Blind, have converted to > >> state-of-the-art digital communication technology at a cost of >> billions of dollars to the taxpayers. Leaving the Books for the Blind >> program behind is unconscionable. Since it is early in the >> appropriations process, however, Congress still has time to correct >> this grievous error. We therefore urgently appeal to the full House >> Appropriations Committee, the members of the House of Representatives, > >> and the United States Senate to provide the full $19.1 million >> requested by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically > >> Handicapped of the Library of Congress to begin production of digital >> talking books and players." >> >> The Talking Book program serves over 750,000 blind Americans, >> including blind children and an ever-increasing number of older >> Americans who are losing vision. The incidence of blindness is >> expected to increase as the baby boom generation reaches retirement >> age. Therefore, the need for this essential program will only > increase. >> >> CONTACT: John G. Pare Jr., Director of Public Relations of the >> National Federation of the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, extension 2371, > Cell: >> +1-410-913-3912, jpare@nfb.org >> >> Web site: http://www.nfb.org/ >> >> http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,118989.shtm >> l >> >> >> >> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was >> scrubbed... >> URL: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/pipermail/blindnews_blindprogramming.com/att > achm >> ents/20070608/aab3ec00/attachment.html >> -- >> BlindNews mailing list >> >> To contact a list moderator about a problem or to make a request, send > >> a message to BlindNews-Owner@BlindProgramming.com >> >> The BlindNews list is archived at: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind/ >> >> To address a message to all members of the list, send mail to: >> BlindNews@blindprogramming.com >> >> Access your subscription info at: >> > http://blindprogramming.com/mailman/listinfo/blindnews_blindprogramming. > com >> >> To unsubscribe via e-mail: send a message to >> BlindNews-Request@BlindProgramming.com with the word unsubscribe in >> either the subject or body of the message >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Athen mailing list >> Athen@athenpro.org >> http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From tft at u.washington.edu Tue Jun 12 06:54:45 2007 From: tft at u.washington.edu (Terry Thompson) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Recommendations for Windows on-screen keyboards Message-ID: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> Hi all, Has anyone done a thorough comparison of on-screen keyboards for Windows? Which products have you and your students found to be most effective? Thanks, Terry Terry Thompson Technology Specialist, DO-IT University of Washington tft@u.washington.edu 206/221-4168 http://www.washington.edu/doit From dmurphy at collegeofthedesert.edu Tue Jun 12 07:29:27 2007 From: dmurphy at collegeofthedesert.edu (Daryl Murphy) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Recommendations for Windows on-screen keyboards In-Reply-To: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> References: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> Message-ID: <866D94404CE9D049B12203795063D4DC29FBAB@Dccdmail3.dccd.cc.ca.us> Just use the built-in on screen keyboard with xp or vista -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Terry Thompson Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 6:55 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] Recommendations for Windows on-screen keyboards Hi all, Has anyone done a thorough comparison of on-screen keyboards for Windows? Which products have you and your students found to be most effective? Thanks, Terry Terry Thompson Technology Specialist, DO-IT University of Washington tft@u.washington.edu 206/221-4168 http://www.washington.edu/doit _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From jfoliot at stanford.edu Tue Jun 12 10:01:14 2007 From: jfoliot at stanford.edu (John Foliot - Stanford Online Accessibility Program) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Google Accessibility Lobbying? In-Reply-To: <01MHP672APPA009ZCG@NUIM.IE> Message-ID: <000001c7ad13$4c5c74e0$d58f40ab@Piglet> Enda P Guinan wrote: > A colleague in Dublin ( http://www.cfit.ie/home/mozilla.html) has > asked me if there are groups in the US lobbying Google around > accessibility (esp. Gmail). He'd like to make contact. I'm not > up-to-speed with this particular debate so if anyone could make > suggestions, I'd be grateful. > > Thanks > > Enda Google recently did a presentation here on campus promoting their system. When I asked about "accessibility" and compliance to the very base-line Section 508, the rep awkwardly and embarrassedly stated that they were not yet compliant, and that they still had work to do. The key "accessibility" people at Google are Loretta Guarino Reid and TV Raman - I can supply email addresses off list if you need. Google are aware of the issues, but they are "huge" and will not be addressed overnight. My recommendation at this time was a pass... JF --- John Foliot Academic Technology Consultant Stanford Online Accessibility Program http://soap.stanford.edu Stanford University 560 Escondido Mall Meyer Library 181 Stanford, CA 94305-3093 Tel: 650-862-4603 From pricek at uic.edu Tue Jun 12 10:05:41 2007 From: pricek at uic.edu (Kevin Price) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility? In-Reply-To: <866D94404CE9D049B12203795063D4DC29FBAB@Dccdmail3.dccd.cc.ca.us> Message-ID: <002501c7ad13$ead044d0$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> I just downloaded the new Web browser Apple Safari and think it looks nice visually but all my accessibility concerns are there. Just tried JAWS and I hear nothing. Is this another slick product that left accessibility behind? Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu From dick.banks at gmail.com Tue Jun 12 10:15:10 2007 From: dick.banks at gmail.com (DickBanks) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility? In-Reply-To: <002501c7ad13$ead044d0$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> References: <866D94404CE9D049B12203795063D4DC29FBAB@Dccdmail3.dccd.cc.ca.us> <002501c7ad13$ead044d0$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> Message-ID: <466ed40f.63c7481b.4d02.2cd5@mx.google.com> You are correct Kevin. Safari for Windows is not usable with speech. Shouldn't be a surprise. Dick "Kevin Price" wrote: (06/12/2007 12:05) I just downloaded the new Web browser Apple Safari and think it looks nice visually but all my accessibility concerns are there. Just tried JAWS and I hear nothing. Is this another slick product that left accessibility behind? Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Dick Banks CTO - EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information From accessible.text at gmail.com Tue Jun 12 10:30:10 2007 From: accessible.text at gmail.com (Robert Martinengo) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] NLS funding update Message-ID: <9edf8160706121030y6384e58fif611888d935fcffd@mail.gmail.com> I was watching the webcast of the appropriation committee and it appears $5 million was put back in the NLS budget, bringing it to $12 million, instead of the $19 million asked for. It was also mentioned the GAO report will be issued today, so maybe it will be posted here later today or tomorrow: http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/repandtest.html From charles.silverman at utoronto.ca Tue Jun 12 12:18:14 2007 From: charles.silverman at utoronto.ca (Charles Silverman) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <90CA09AB-AC9A-4594-80C7-592FE182F8BE@utoronto.ca> Bear in mind that the Windows version of Safari is still a beta. _______________ Charles Silverman, M.Ed. SNOW Coordinator - http://snow.utoronto.ca Adaptive Technology Resource Centre Faculty of Information, University of Toronto "'I would buy a Mac if I didn't work for Microsoft" -James Allchin- Microsoft development chief who oversaw Vista > Message: 4 > Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:15:10 -0500 > From: DickBanks > Subject: Re: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility? > To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > Message-ID: <466ed40f.63c7481b.4d02.2cd5@mx.google.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > You are correct Kevin. Safari for Windows is not usable with speech. > Shouldn't be a surprise. > > Dick > > "Kevin Price" wrote: > (06/12/2007 12:05) > > I just downloaded the new Web browser Apple Safari and think it looks > nice > visually but all my accessibility concerns are there. Just tried JAWS > and I > hear nothing. > Is this another slick product that left accessibility behind? > > Kevin Price MSW, ATP > Assistive Technology Specialist > Disability Resource Center (MC 321) > University of Illinois at Chicago > Suite 1190, Student Services Building > 1200 West Harrison Street > Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 > (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 > Email: pricek@uic.edu > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pricek at uic.edu Tue Jun 12 12:46:16 2007 From: pricek at uic.edu (Kevin Price) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility In-Reply-To: <90CA09AB-AC9A-4594-80C7-592FE182F8BE@utoronto.ca> Message-ID: <004b01c7ad2a$5761fe20$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> Charles, Do you have some inside info that they are working on accessibility for Safari? Should we all send emails to Apple? Usually when they get this far in the development when they send a widespread beta, they are just tweaking code and not adding new features. Kevin Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu _____ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Charles Silverman Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 2:18 PM To: athen@athenpro.org Subject: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility Bear in mind that the Windows version of Safari is still a beta. _______________ Charles Silverman, M.Ed. SNOW Coordinator - http://snow.utoronto.ca Adaptive Technology Resource Centre Faculty of Information, University of Toronto "'I would buy a Mac if I didn't work for Microsoft" -James Allchin- Microsoft development chief who oversaw Vista Message: 4 Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:15:10 -0500 From: DickBanks Subject: Re: [Athen] Apple Safari Accessibility? To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Message-ID: <466ed40f.63c7481b.4d02.2cd5@mx.google.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" You are correct Kevin. Safari for Windows is not usable with speech. Shouldn't be a surprise. Dick "Kevin Price" wrote: (06/12/2007 12:05) I just downloaded the new Web browser Apple Safari and think it looks nice visually but all my accessibility concerns are there. Just tried JAWS and I hear nothing. Is this another slick product that left accessibility behind? Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cathk at cahs.colostate.edu Tue Jun 12 14:33:03 2007 From: cathk at cahs.colostate.edu (Kilcommons,Cath) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Recommendations for Windows on-screen keyboards In-Reply-To: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> References: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> Message-ID: Hi Terry, We have long been fans of WIVIK, http://www.wivik.com/index.html. Also, I have liked working with Discover: Screen and ScreenDoors (http://www.madentec.com/products/screendoors.php) although Screendoors occasionally had stability issues. We also worked quite a bit with the REACH interface author, but that was several versions ago. Let us know if you decide to get a comparison going! Best, Cath From dhayman at u.washington.edu Tue Jun 12 14:38:01 2007 From: dhayman at u.washington.edu (Doug Hayman) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Recommendations for Windows on-screen keyboards In-Reply-To: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> References: <200706121354.l5CDsr2T016889@smtp.washington.edu> Message-ID: I've been setting up our scholars with ScreenDoors 2000 for the past few years. Doug Hayman Technology Specialist DO-IT Program (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology) Box 355670 Seattle, WA 98195 (206) 221-4165 http://www.washington.edu/doit On Tue, 12 Jun 2007, Terry Thompson wrote: > Hi all, > > Has anyone done a thorough comparison of on-screen keyboards for Windows? > Which products have you and your students found to be most effective? > > Thanks, > Terry > > Terry Thompson > Technology Specialist, DO-IT > University of Washington > tft@u.washington.edu > 206/221-4168 > http://www.washington.edu/doit > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org > From skeegan at gmail.com Tue Jun 12 15:32:59 2007 From: skeegan at gmail.com (Sean Keegan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Google Accessibility Lobbying? In-Reply-To: <000001c7ad13$4c5c74e0$d58f40ab@Piglet> References: <01MHP672APPA009ZCG@NUIM.IE> <000001c7ad13$4c5c74e0$d58f40ab@Piglet> Message-ID: I have made some inquiries re the accessibility of their different tools and received the response that there is work to be done for improving access. That being said, what I am encouraged by is the fact that Google seems to have hired individuals (relatively recently) who have at least some undrstanding of Web accessibility issues. I also know that there has been an "accessibility day" there, so I encouraged that improvements may be developed. In the meantime, try http://m.gmail.com and see ifthat interface works better with some AT. (not the best option, I realize) Take care, Sean From djbrky at bu.edu Wed Jun 13 12:07:42 2007 From: djbrky at bu.edu (Berkowitz, Daniel J) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] iTunes U Accessibility group In-Reply-To: <310B6F0B038E0847BA40E28F322EB6C901DBDA74@EXCH02.purdue.lcl> Message-ID: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603564C7E@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Hello, Interesting development on the iTunes front - If you already know this disregard this message http://musiclink.honda.com/Down_TTS.html We (Adam) is not exactly sure what this does but believes it takes the Metadata from iTunes and TTS's it for navigation through the car stereo. We think we can apply this same technology to navigate through a book on the iPod by adding Metadata to MP3 files to read the titles out loud before they play. There are other potential applications that may also be of interest to explore. Now go and make this work ---- Dann BTW --- Joe --- what is your new phone number? ========================= Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director Boston University Office of Disability Services 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3658 (office) (617) 353-9646 (fax) djbrky@bu.edu (eMail) www.bu.edu/disability ________________________________ From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Humbert, Joseph A Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 11:13 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: [Athen] iTunes U Accessibility group teleconference Importance: High Hi! Sorry this is so late. I got the confirmation late last week and then was gone till today. The number to call is 800-568-9258 You will then give the meet me number 66521 to the operator. The local number is 765-496-6521 The meeting is from 2pm- 3pm EST Agenda: 1. Designate a secretary (I can't type fast enough) 2. Go over scope of project (iTunes, iPod, iTunesU) 3. Reports from colleges already looking into accessibility (~5 minutes each) 4. Decide on a timetable 5. Decide time and setup for next teleconference I think Jayme Johnson said he could have a better setup for the next meeting (virtual whiteboard, web simulcast, etc). We can talk about that too. Thankx for all your help in advance. Sorry this is so late again. Any Questions please contact me. Joe Humbert Assistive Technology Specialist Purdue University - ITaP - TLT Office: STEW 111 Email: jhumbert@purdue.edu Phone: 765-494-4387 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enda.guinan at nuim.ie Thu Jun 14 02:31:15 2007 From: enda.guinan at nuim.ie (Enda P Guinan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Google Accessibility Lobbying? In-Reply-To: <000001c7ad13$4c5c74e0$d58f40ab@Piglet> References: <01MHP672APPA009ZCG@NUIM.IE> <000001c7ad13$4c5c74e0$d58f40ab@Piglet> Message-ID: <01MHRXWF132G008S3N@NUIM.IE> >Thanks John & Sean, The debate over here is intensifying. It appears that procuring a non-accessible product could well be challenged according to our Disability Act 2000. An upside to all this is that the rest of the sector can push to have accessibility explicitly stated in our procurement processes. John, I'd be interested in those email contacts off list if you wouldn't mind. Enda Enda P Guinan Assistive Technology Advisor Access Office National University of Ireland, Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland P: +353 1 708 4654 F: +353 1 708 3838 E: enda.guinan@nuim.ie W: http://access.nuim.ie -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From accessible.text at gmail.com Thu Jun 14 06:25:09 2007 From: accessible.text at gmail.com (Robert Martinengo) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] GAO report on the NLS Message-ID: <9edf8160706140625o33a0f5dl423a81aa04c4a176@mail.gmail.com> Funny, now that the GAO report has been published, no one seems to be commenting on it (find it here: http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-07-871R ). The report does raise some good questions, such as, if DAISY-formatted CDs are good enough for similar library programs in other countries, why aren't they good enough for the NLS? From sarah.horton at Dartmouth.EDU Wed Jun 20 04:56:14 2007 From: sarah.horton at Dartmouth.EDU (Sarah Horton) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Reminder: World Usability Day New England submission deadline Message-ID: <3650491D-2DE3-466C-BFA1-F285A253A079@dartmouth.edu> Hello, all. This is a friendly reminder that the submission deadline for the Third Annual World Usability Day New England conference is this Friday, June 22, 2007. The conference will be held on November 8, 2007 from 9:00am - 4:00pm at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Visit http://www.dartmouth.edu/~wud for information about the upcoming conference, links to previous conference proceedings, and details about proposal submissions. And feel free to contact me with any questions. Best regards, Sarah Sarah Horton Academic Computing Dartmouth College Hanover, NH USA 03755 sarah.horton@dartmouth.edu www.dartmouth.edu/~shorton From gerrynies at mail.und.nodak.edu Fri Jun 22 08:40:56 2007 From: gerrynies at mail.und.nodak.edu (Gerry Nies) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Source for ABBYY In-Reply-To: <017c01c779e4$a7055f40$f5101dc0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <017c01c779e4$a7055f40$f5101dc0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <467BA76F.5B96.00E0.0@mail.und.nodak.edu> Is there a vendor with an Academic price for ABBYY? Thanks Gerry Nies -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pricek at uic.edu Fri Jun 22 12:22:28 2007 From: pricek at uic.edu (Kevin Price) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go Message-ID: <008a01c7b502$ae94fc30$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> Anyone explore this new Web-based screen reader SA To Go. I logged in as guest and got an account. Worked pretty well but wondered if others found problems. I know it only works on Windows based machines. Kevin Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Andrews" To: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 4:33 PM Subject: [nabs-l] Fwd: World's first Web-based accessibility tool > >>A couple of our Technology Specialists have taken a quick look at >>the product, and are favorably impressed so far. > > > David Andrews > > > >> >>> Serotek Announcements 6/13/2007 8:51 PM >> >>> >>> >>NEWS RELEASEFor Immediate Release Contact: Janelle SchulenbergTacet >>Consulting612-720-1068janelle@tacetconsulting.com Serotek Makes Web >>2.0 Accessible to the Blind Technology Company Introduces SA To Go >>Minneapolis, Minn. * June 13, 2007 * Serotek Corporation, the >>leading provider of Internet and digital information accessibility >>software and services, announces the public beta release of a web >>application called SA To Go (System Access To Go), the first product >>to make Web 2.0 accessible to the blind and the visually impaired. >>SA To Go is a web-resident product stemming from Serotek's >>award-winning System Access software. More than a screen reader, >>System Access requires no installation and provides complete control >>of your e-mail, makes web surfing easy, and offers intuitive access >>to Microsoft Office productivity tools like Word, PowerPoint and >>Excel. SA To Go makes System Access available on the Web for instant >>operation and has no permanence on the using computer. Users can now >>access System Access software anytime, anywhere that Internet access >>is available."We believe SA To Go will revolutionize the way blind >>people use the computer," said Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation, >>"That's why we felt it critical to leverage the power of Web 2.0 to >>continue to fulfill our promise of accessibility anywhere."SA To Go >>provides instant accessibility. Once online, users can visit >>www.SAtoGo.com and it appears in seconds. When finished, the user >>simply closes the program and any personal information vanishes >>leaving the host computer completely unchanged. "Microsoft applauds >>Serotek's innovation with respect to access for all," said Daniel >>Hubbell, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation, "SA To Go is a >>revolution for people who need access to computers away from >>home."Because of technologies like Fonix's text-to-speech and its >>small size, SA To Go loads within seconds giving the blind user the >>same access on the go as his sighted peers. And since SA To Go is a >>true web application, accessibility is no longer an expensive >>option; companies that want to provide public accessibility to >>customers can do so for a fraction of the cost."Serotek's new SA To >>Go application gives blind and visually impaired users quick, >>convenient access to PC functions," says Tim K. Hong, VP of Sales, >>Fonix Speech, Inc. "SA To Go incorporates Fonix text-to-speech, >>which is optimized to provide clear, intelligible TTS voices without >>using large amounts of processing power or memory. Fonix speech >>technology is a good fit for Serotek's System Access Mobile >>applications."Serotek is putting the system out for public Beta >>because they are encouraging user input. The company can imagine >>hundreds of applications but believes users will direct its true >>potential. "We think we've only scratched the surface of the >>potential of SA To Go," says Calvo, "That's why we're inviting users >>to take it for a spin and let us know how they think it might be >>applied." The company will be surveying users on a regular basis and >>encouraging users to e-mail their ideas and comments to >>SAToGo@serotek.com.To participate in the public beta, users can go >>to http://www.satogo.com and follow the instructions. Immediate >>accessibility will lead the user through the registration process. >>For more information about Serotek and its family of System Access >>accessibility tools, visit www.serotek.com. Serotek >>CorporationSerotek Corporation is a leading technology company that >>develops software and manufactures accessibility solutions. >>Committed to the mission of providing accessibility anywhere, >>Serotek launched an online community specifically designed to meet >>the needs of people with disabilities. Since then, Serotek has >>introduced several powerful, affordable solutions that require >>minimal training, including System Access, for which it was awarded >>the prestigious da Vinci award for innovation in universal >>accessibility by the National Multiple Sclerosis Association. For >>more information, visit www.serotek.com. Fonix CorporationFonix >>Corporation (OTC BB: FNIX), based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an >>innovative speech recognition and text-to-speech technology company >>that provides value-added speech solutions through its wholly owned >>subsidiary, Fonix Speech, Inc., currently offering voice solutions >>for mobile/wireless devices; interactive video games, toys and >>appliances; computer telephony systems; the assistive market and >>automotive telematics. Fonix provides developers and manufacturers >>with cost-effective speech solutions to enhance devices and systems. >>Visit www.fonix.com for more information, or call (801) 553-6600 and >>say "Sales." Microsoft CorporationFounded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq >>"MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions >>that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For >>more information, visit www.microsoft.com. ### From fgsmith at vcu.edu Fri Jun 22 13:02:01 2007 From: fgsmith at vcu.edu (Frances G Smith/AC/VCU) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Frances G Smith/AC/VCU is out of the office. Message-ID: I will be out of the office starting Fri 06/22/2007 and will not return until Mon 07/02/2007. I will be out of the office starting Friday, February 16, 2007 and returning Wednesday, February 21, 2007. From burke at ucla.edu Fri Jun 22 13:05:31 2007 From: burke at ucla.edu (Patrick Burke) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go In-Reply-To: <008a01c7b502$ae94fc30$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> References: <008a01c7b502$ae94fc30$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20070622130156.0261c6f0@ucla.edu> Hi Kevin, I tried but got a Windows error message during the install process. :( Patrick At 12:22 PM 6/22/2007, Kevin Price wrote: >Anyone explore this new Web-based screen reader SA To Go. I logged in as >guest and got an account. Worked pretty well but wondered if others found >problems. >I know it only works on Windows based machines. >Kevin From pricek at uic.edu Fri Jun 22 13:47:24 2007 From: pricek at uic.edu (Kevin Price) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:32 2018 Subject: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go In-Reply-To: <7.0.1.0.2.20070622130156.0261c6f0@ucla.edu> Message-ID: <009b01c7b50e$8a60fc90$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> Hi Patrick! You might send Serotek an email because they are in the Beta process, "The company will be surveying users on a regular basis and encouraging users to e-mail their ideas and comments to SAToGo@serotek.com . " I think it is a great idea. I do wonder if systems are locked down whether it would work. I have an Administrator account but many computers have more security. It installs its application in the Windows system tray. Hope things are going well for you, Kevin Kevin Price MSW, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Disability Resource Center (MC 321) University of Illinois at Chicago Suite 1190, Student Services Building 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7163 (312) 413-0886 Fax (312) 413-7781 Email: pricek@uic.edu -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Patrick Burke Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 3:06 PM To: athen@athenpro.org Subject: Re: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go Hi Kevin, I tried but got a Windows error message during the install process. :( Patrick At 12:22 PM 6/22/2007, Kevin Price wrote: >Anyone explore this new Web-based screen reader SA To Go. I logged in as >guest and got an account. Worked pretty well but wondered if others found >problems. >I know it only works on Windows based machines. >Kevin _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From kestrell at panix.com Fri Jun 22 14:09:54 2007 From: kestrell at panix.com (Kestrell) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go References: <008a01c7b502$ae94fc30$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> <7.0.1.0.2.20070622130156.0261c6f0@ucla.edu> Message-ID: <001e01c7b511$b19df8a0$05fea8c0@Galatea> I tried the 10 minute demo and, since I am a blind computer user who relies on a robust screen reader, was very impressed by the level of functionality. The Web-based screen reader let me navigate my screen reader with ease, and it also let me use Wordpad and open up and read HTML books I downloaded from Bookshare.org. I intend on getting a free account and trying it out for a longer period next time, maybe for an entire day. Alicia The Blind Bookworm Blog http://kestrell.livejournal.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Burke" To: Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 4:05 PM Subject: Re: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go > Hi Kevin, > > I tried but got a Windows error message during the install process. :( > > Patrick > > At 12:22 PM 6/22/2007, Kevin Price wrote: >>Anyone explore this new Web-based screen reader SA To Go. I logged in as >>guest and got an account. Worked pretty well but wondered if others found >>problems. >>I know it only works on Windows based machines. >>Kevin > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From pratikp1 at gmail.com Fri Jun 22 15:28:36 2007 From: pratikp1 at gmail.com (Pratik Patel) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go In-Reply-To: <001e01c7b511$b19df8a0$05fea8c0@Galatea> References: <008a01c7b502$ae94fc30$cd8cc183@D13GBMC1> <7.0.1.0.2.20070622130156.0261c6f0@ucla.edu> <001e01c7b511$b19df8a0$05fea8c0@Galatea> Message-ID: <01e001c7b51c$acfdbb90$06f932b0$@com> I've been playing with the software off and on for the last few weeks and find it tolerably useful. It is quite good on certain web sites and does a much better job than the current crop of other screen readers. For example, the GMail regular Ajax-based site is not accessible via any other screen reader but SAToGo/SA. SA's lack of an off-screen model certainly deters me from completely relying on it. There are portions of the screen that SA does not yet recognize and the mouse commands do not function with such portions all the time. It shows great promise though and as Vista is adapted more and more, SA and SAToGo will be a fantastic option. I'm also watching carefully the options provided by NVDA and other open-source screen reading technologies. With Firefox three on the quick move, NVDA certainly will have a great advantage in supporting newer standards such as AAREA and Xool. SaroTech is relying a great deal on Microsoft technologies where as NVDA is relying much more on the open-source community. There will be an interesting dynamic in the screen reader industry. Pratik -----Original Message----- From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kestrell Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 5:10 PM To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network Subject: Re: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go I tried the 10 minute demo and, since I am a blind computer user who relies on a robust screen reader, was very impressed by the level of functionality. The Web-based screen reader let me navigate my screen reader with ease, and it also let me use Wordpad and open up and read HTML books I downloaded from Bookshare.org. I intend on getting a free account and trying it out for a longer period next time, maybe for an entire day. Alicia The Blind Bookworm Blog http://kestrell.livejournal.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Burke" To: Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 4:05 PM Subject: Re: [Athen] Web-based accessibility tool -SA to Go > Hi Kevin, > > I tried but got a Windows error message during the install process. :( > > Patrick > > At 12:22 PM 6/22/2007, Kevin Price wrote: >>Anyone explore this new Web-based screen reader SA To Go. I logged in as >>guest and got an account. Worked pretty well but wondered if others found >>problems. >>I know it only works on Windows based machines. >>Kevin > > > _______________________________________________ > Athen mailing list > Athen@athenpro.org > http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org _______________________________________________ Athen mailing list Athen@athenpro.org http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Sat Jun 23 06:50:52 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Source for ABBYY In-Reply-To: <467BA76F.5B96.00E0.0@mail.und.nodak.edu> References: <017c01c779e4$a7055f40$f5101dc0$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> <467BA76F.5B96.00E0.0@mail.und.nodak.edu> Message-ID: <009a01c7b59d$a34bdf60$e9e39e20$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> CDWG is a good source, and your campus may already have them as an approved vendor. Academic Superstore is another. http://www.cdwg.com/ http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ Ron Stewart From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Gerry Nies Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:41 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] Source for ABBYY Is there a vendor with an Academic price for ABBYY? Thanks Gerry Nies -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com Tue Jun 26 08:06:38 2007 From: ron.stewart at dolphinusa.com (Ron Stewart) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] EJournal reviewers Message-ID: <006e01c7b803$9b5b40d0$d211c270$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Hope life finds you all well! I am having a senior moment, who of you had agreed to be part of the reviewers for the EJournal? I have some work for you to do :-) Ron ********************************************************************* Ron Stewart Vice President for Operations Dolphin Computer Access Inc. 231 Clarksville RD Suite 3 Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Direct: 609 803-2174 Mobile: 609 213-2190 Sales (toll free): 866 797-5921 Support: 866 797-5921 Fax: 609 799-0475 ron.stewart@dolphinusa.com http://www.dolphinusa.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pratikp1 at gmail.com Tue Jun 26 08:20:56 2007 From: pratikp1 at gmail.com (Pratik Patel) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] EJournal reviewers In-Reply-To: <006e01c7b803$9b5b40d0$d211c270$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <006e01c7b803$9b5b40d0$d211c270$@stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: <051201c7b805$98d176c0$ca746440$@com> Ron, I believe I did. Regards, Pratik From: athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Ron Stewart Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:07 AM To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' Subject: [Athen] EJournal reviewers Hope life finds you all well! I am having a senior moment, who of you had agreed to be part of the reviewers for the EJournal? I have some work for you to do J Ron ********************************************************************* Ron Stewart Vice President for Operations Dolphin Computer Access Inc. 231 Clarksville RD Suite 3 Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Direct: 609 803-2174 Mobile: 609 213-2190 Sales (toll free): 866 797-5921 Support: 866 797-5921 Fax: 609 799-0475 ron.stewart@dolphinusa.com http://www.dolphinusa.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tlwells at uark.edu Tue Jun 26 09:12:40 2007 From: tlwells at uark.edu (Teresa L. Wells) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] EJournal reviewers In-Reply-To: <006e01c7b803$9b5b40d0$d211c270$%stewart@dolphinusa.com> References: <006e01c7b803$9b5b40d0$d211c270$%stewart@dolphinusa.com> Message-ID: I did, Ron. Teresa ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Stewart Date: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 10:17 am Subject: [Athen] EJournal reviewers To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network' > Hope life finds you all well! > > I am having a senior moment, who of you had agreed to be part of the > reviewers for the EJournal? I have some work for you to do :-) > > Ron > > ********************************************************************* > Ron Stewart > Vice President for Operations > Dolphin Computer Access Inc. > 231 Clarksville RD Suite 3 > Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 > > Direct: 609 803-2174 > Mobile: 609 213-2190 > Sales (toll free): 866 797-5921 > Support: 866 797-5921 > Fax: 609 799-0475 > ron.stewart@dolphinusa.com > http://www.dolphinusa.com > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fgsmith at vcu.edu Tue Jun 26 13:00:43 2007 From: fgsmith at vcu.edu (Frances G Smith/AC/VCU) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Frances G Smith/AC/VCU is out of the office. Message-ID: I will be out of the office starting Fri 06/22/2007 and will not return until Mon 07/02/2007. From johumber at iupui.edu Wed Jun 27 08:41:50 2007 From: johumber at iupui.edu (Humbert, Joseph A) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] iTunes U Accessibility group meeting minutes June 6th In-Reply-To: <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603564C7E@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> References: <310B6F0B038E0847BA40E28F322EB6C901DBDA74@EXCH02.purdue.lcl> <7D1ADD40E83FAB45B7939DF1860C711603564C7E@XMS3.ad2.bu.edu> Message-ID: <68376C7215E47C4BAE6271B0AA82C9FF033DC091@iu-mssg-mbx105.ads.iu.edu> Hi! Sorry this is So late I was starting my new job and at the CIC conference in Minneapolis. The turnout was not where I wanted it to be So far we haven't had more then 7 or 8 people. Please attend the teleconference if you are interested. I would like 15 participants. Also so far only one person has sent me there research on iTunes accessibility I want to synthesis this before our next meeting on July 11th!!!!! Please send your documents! Also I would like someone to offer to take notes as mine are very sparse below. Thankx. Attendees: Jayme John Folio Shawn Saroj Patrick Sarah Shawn - has a report. Dan comden - blog Sharoj - RSS feeds content capture Sarah - catching up on the conversation. Are we focusing on consumer and content creator? Sharoj - Both John - We should be more broader (Zune) Shawn - Doc sharing Jayme - Best Practices Patrick - iTunesU end to End and third party apps Document from Shawn and Jayme Audio files Notes - Linking notes together to for timed text There are file size limitations to notes Jayme - John Not sure of the total number of characters allowed on an mp4 for text Not sue about notes on Mac Ipod movie format Quicktime No video on Ipod Nano Wikipedia for Ipod evolution Keeping captions on Mpeg 4 Different applications delivering video: Shawn - Macaw Quick time videos Movies below video region Smil assembly problems Self contained movie Magpie - Bring in Movie and text track AST - Bundles text back in Saroj - video Description John - No stand alone No multiple text files Click TV Shawn - NCAM Best Practice - Include descriptions as part of material Not Covered: - Difference between media - Differences between devices - Voicing menu - 508 compliance - Change font color or font size Next meeting July 11th, 2007 11am PST, 12pm MST, 1pm CST and 2pm EST Joe Humbert Assistive Technology Specialist Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Office: IT 214E Email: johumber@iupui.edu Phone: 317-274-4378 Cell: 847-431-6545 AIM:ATCIUPUI -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From WTURNER at boisestate.edu Wed Jun 27 10:47:38 2007 From: WTURNER at boisestate.edu (Wendy Turner) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Position Opening--AT Coordinator Message-ID: <46824E59.B787.0071.0@boisestate.edu> Assistive Technology Coordinator SA-0061-67 Boise State University Disability Resource Center is seeking an Assistive Technology Coordinator. This position will be responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the assistive technology program at Boise State University, with emphasis on student AT assessment and training. The Assistive Technology Coordinator will also work closely with faculty, staff and the Office of Information Technology to assess University AT needs to ensure all University activities are accessible to students with disabilities. The successful candidate will be able to effectively troubleshoot and problem solve, and have effective collaboration skills. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Coordinate assistive technology (AT) accommodations for students with disabilities. Directly supervise 4-8 student workers performing various duties including alternate text format production and basic tech support for Disability Resource Center. 2) Assess appropriate individual AT needs and train students with disabilities to use AT available on campus. * Develop and implement AT needs assessment for students with disabilities receiving academic accommodations * Create individual and group AT training on appropriate AT for students with disabilities. * Evaluate effectiveness of assessment and training. 3) Promote University-wide access to assistive technology and computer- aided learning technology for students with disabilities and faculty * Collaborate with the Office of Information Technology and Academic Technologies to create University AT plan for campus * Develop accessible Web format policies in collaboration with the web coordinators across campus. * Coordinate with Academic Technologies and the Architect*s Office to ensure classroom accessibility 4) Review new AT technologies and recommend upgrades as appropriate 5) Develop and present faculty and staff AT training * Develop and present AT training for faculty and staff * Assist faculty in developing accessible technologies for classroom use * Promote universal design of classroom materials * Serve as accessibility liaison for BroncoWeb, Blackboard, PeopleSoft, and other student computer systems on campus MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS * Master*s degree preferred, Bachelor*s degree required, in Rehabilitation Technology, Computer Information Science, Special Education, or a closely related field. * Two years experience working with assistive technology and adaptive equipment including, but not limited to: JAWS, ABBYY FineReader, Dolphin Producer, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, WYNN. * Two years experience working directly with adults with disabilities. * Working knowledge of ADA and Sections 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. * Experience training individuals with disabilities to use various assistive technologies. * Knowledge of web/distance education accessibility standards and issues; developments & trends in assistive technology. SALARY & BENEFITS Salary will be commensurate with experience. Boise State University offers a competitive benefits package including retirement, medical and dental benefits, life insurance, and employee and spousal tuition waiver. TO APPLY Submit a letter of interest, current resume, and contact information for three professional references to (Electronic applications preferred): Candida Mumford candidamumford@boisestate.edu Disability Resource Center Boise State University 1910 University Dr. Boise, ID 83725-1365 (208) 426-1583 fax (208)426-3785 Review of applications will begin July 9, 2007and will continue until position is filled. Boise State University is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of women, persons of color, and members of other underrepresented groups. EOE/AA Institution, Veterans preference. From tft at u.washington.edu Wed Jun 27 13:11:36 2007 From: tft at u.washington.edu (Terry Thompson) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Invitation to Free Disability-Related Institute, 7/16 in Charlotte Message-ID: <200706272011.l5RKBelG030589@smtp.washington.edu> Hi All, Those of you who are going to AHEAD, and those of you are who thinking about it, this free event on Monday 7/16 is a great opportunity for AT/IT accessibility folks like ourselves to brainstorm problems and solutions along with Disability Services staff, students with disabilities, and others. Here's the full announcement: *** You are invited to participate in a national Capacity-Building Institute (CBI) to identify barriers and develop solutions to: * increase the number of students with disabilities successfully pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in computing fields. * increase the capacity of postsecondary computing departments to fully include students with disabilities in computing courses and programs. Participants will also learn about a nationwide resource to help students with disabilities pursue computing fields and computing educators and employers, professional organizations, and other stakeholders develop more inclusive programs and share effective practices. The one-day CBI is free, and occurs Monday, July 16th, 2007, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, in conjunction with the AHEAD 2007 conference. Disability services providers, assistive and information technology staff, faculty members, higher education administrators, and students with disabilities are encouraged to attend. The CBI is organized by the Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing), led by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and DO-IT at the University of Washington. Space is limited to 50 participants. If you are interested in attending the CBI please contact Lyla Crawford at lylac@u.washington.edu or 509-328-9331 for more information. You can find more information about the AHEAD conference and local hotels in the area offering a discounted rate at http://www.ahead.org/training/conference/2007_conf/index.php *** Terry Thompson Technology Specialist, DO-IT University of Washington tft@u.washington.edu 206/221-4168 http://www.washington.edu/doit From schwarte at purdue.edu Fri Jun 29 08:27:54 2007 From: schwarte at purdue.edu (Schwarte, David M.) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] Assistive Technology Position at Purdue Message-ID: <6C476D2CC8F190448C2584C0A37A167104890A@EXCH06.purdue.lcl> Purdue University - Assistive Technology Specialist QUALIFICATIONS Required: Bachelor's degree in Education, Computer Science, Technology, or related discipline. One year experience with adaptive technologies, evaluating software or physical environments for accessibility needs, resolving accessibility issues through the appropriate use of technology. Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required work experience. An in-depth knowledge of communication and information technologies, and a commitment to the needs of individuals with disabilities. An ability to develop and implement policies that address information technology access (for example, the consolidation of purchasing, storage, and tracking processes for accommodative hardware and software). Credentials that will foster a strong peer relationship with faculty and staff in the modification and/or development of curricula so that information technology accessibility issues are addressed. JOB DUTIES The Assistive Technology Specialist works with ITaP and other university departments, faculty, staff, and students to facilitate the creation and maintenance of an accessible campus through the identification and support of assistive technologies. Engage in a wide range of activities including, training and consulting with faculty and students, testing IT systems, collaboration with various units on assistive technology initiatives, identification of new technologies to solve accessibility and access issues, and related activities that will ensure equal access to information and technology for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A check of criminal conviction records will be made for employment in this position. For consideration submit resume and apply online at: www.purdue.edu/jobs and reference the posting number 1408.274.0706 Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Employer committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Name: David Schwarte Address: 128 Memorial Mall Dr. Rm. 111 West Lafayette, IN 47907 Phone: 765-494-4387 E-mail: schwarte@purdue.edu Web: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/tlt/idc/alps/index.cfm From ea at emptech.info Sat Jun 30 14:41:57 2007 From: ea at emptech.info (E.A. Draffan) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] PDF Equalizer Message-ID: <003001c7bb5f$7e634270$0a01a8c0@laptop> Sorry to bother you all, but has anyone tried PDF Equalizer? http://www.readingmadeez.com/PDFEqualizer.php Best wishes E.A. Mrs E.A. Draffan Learning Societies Lab ECS, University of Southampton Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7246 http://www.lexdis.ecs.soton.ac.uk http://www.emptech.info/ No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/880 - Release Date: 29/06/2007 14:15 From wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu Sat Jun 30 17:07:35 2007 From: wink.harner at mcmail.maricopa.edu (Wink Harner) Date: Sat Jun 9 18:28:33 2018 Subject: [Athen] PDF Equalizer In-Reply-To: <003001c7bb5f$7e634270$0a01a8c0@laptop> Message-ID: <463315F4000081E8@email3.dist.maricopa.edu> E.A. et al ATHEN-ites in Athen-land, I will see if I can find a demo and let you know my thoughts. My first huge bag of skepticism is the "automatically translates" part of their PR hype which is much different than having a good speech engine reading in the target language. After all, the point for our students with functional limitations in reading is not in translating but in being able to read and comprehend. This feature would also be useful for any student trying to learn another language. Hear it/read it/write it. Not translate it! All of the grains of salt on my plate are sliding toward the "not an accessibility feature" --besides, having been a professional translator/typesetting and genuine techno-geek for many years, I know first-hand that 99% of the translation programs available are not worth the paper they're advertised on--most are less than 40% accurate. For $90 it DOES seem too good to be true, n'est-ce pas? Will let you know. Wink Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College [former owner of The Foreign Type, a foreign language translation & typesetting company]. >-- Original Message -- >From: "E.A. Draffan" >To: "'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'" >Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:41:57 +0100 >Subject: [Athen] PDF Equalizer >Reply-To: ea@emptech.info, Access Technologists in Higher Education Network > > > >Sorry to bother you all, but has anyone tried PDF Equalizer? >http://www.readingmadeez.com/PDFEqualizer.php > >Best wishes E.A. > >Mrs E.A. Draffan >Learning Societies Lab >ECS, University of Southampton >Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7246 >http://www.lexdis.ecs.soton.ac.uk >http://www.emptech.info/ > >No virus found in this outgoing message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. >Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/880 - Release Date: 29/06/2007 >14:15 > > > >_______________________________________________ >Athen mailing list >Athen@athenpro.org >http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org Ms. Wink Harner Manager Disability Resources & Services Mesa Community College Mesa AZ 480-461-7447