[Athen] Converting EPUBs to PDF Was Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

Robert Spangler rspangler1 at udayton.edu
Mon Feb 4 09:29:24 PST 2019


Could you please share how you convert EPUBs to PDF?


On Mon, Feb 4, 2019 at 11:08 AM Leyna Bencomo <lbencomo at uccs.edu> wrote:


> I never have enough time to get involved and I should. Currently, my

> student workers take all ePubs we get and convert them to PDFs every single

> time. We don’t even bother with ePUBs at all.

>

>

>

> *Leyna Bencomo *

>

> Assistive Technology Specialist

>

>

>

> Office of Information Technology

>

> University of Colorado Colorado Springs

>

> 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, EPC 215

>

> Colorado Springs, CO 80918

>

> (719) 255-4202 / lbencomo at uccs.edu

>

> http://www.uccs.edu/~it/

>

> [image: sig logo small]

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Joseph Polizzotto

> *Sent:* Thursday, January 31, 2019 4:38 PM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> Hi Everyone:

>

>

>

> There's a lot to say about this topic!

>

>

>

> I agree with Susan that we need to make our voices heard. This is not an

> either/ or scenario. If both a PDF and an EPUB exist, we should have the

> ability to request the format that our students want. That should not be

> the publishers' decision.

>

>

>

> At the same time, I think we should continue to encourage publishers'

> efforts to create accessible versions of their textbooks, whether in EPUB

> or PDF since that is what will ultimately benefit all readers, our students

> included.

>

>

>

> It is really unfortunate that a positive step forward in accessible

> publishing is coupled with a decision to restrict access to publishers'

> PDFs. Why? Who has advocated for that?

>

>

>

> Joseph

>

>

>

>

>

> On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 1:24 PM Susan Kelmer <Susan.Kelmer at colorado.edu>

> wrote:

>

> Russell, yes, you are correct. They are getting messages from some that

> ePub is perfect, wonderful, the NEW WAY! And those voices are loud.

> Publishers believe those voices.

>

>

>

> If they’d just asked, they would know that an ePub is a format they can

> use, sometimes, but that sometimes, they cannot. Bottom line: They need

> to respond to what our request is for, rather than to push us to a format

> we didn’t ask for.

>

>

>

> Also, my voice is loud. We need more loud voices.

>

>

>

> *Susan Kelmer*

>

> *Alternate Format Production Program Manager*

>

> *Disability Services*

>

> *University of Colorado Boulder*

>

> *303-735-4836*

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Russell Solowoniuk

> *Sent:* Thursday, January 31, 2019 2:17 PM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> Hi Susan,

>

>

>

> I agree totally with what you say. We’re in Canada so can’t get Pearson US

> titles through ATN. We still need to use the online form, which, by the

> way, now doesn’t accept Canadian postal codes in the form, so we must use

> 99999, not a big deal, just wonder why.

>

>

>

> We have been getting the “this title is available via Vital Source”

> message back occasionally, and each time we do, we write back with an

> explanation of why this won’t work for the majority of our students who use

> RWG. The end up sending us a PDF, but it adds days to the turnaround time.

>

>

>

> It seems that perhaps publishers are getting mixed messages from people

> who seem to think that ePub is the best format out there for everyone.

>

>

>

> Keep up the good fight!

>

>

>

> Russell

>

>

>

> Russell Solowoniuk

>

> AT Educational Assistant, Services to Students with Disabilities

>

> MacEwan University

>

> 7-198 D4, 10700-104 Ave.

>

> Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2

>

> E: solowoniukr at macewan.ca

>

> T: 780-497-5826

>

> F: 780-497-4018

>

> macewan.ca

> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmacewan.ca&data=02%7C01%7Clbencomo%40uccs.edu%7C1533112ed3e545e22a8708d687d585d0%7C529343fae8c8419fab2ea70c10038810%7C1%7C0%7C636845748490549029&sdata=%2Bef0kFN4VC2msXmclFtnG24%2Fm%2Fo2uSO8OR2g1fV8t%2BQ%3D&reserved=0>

>

> [image: MacEwan Logo]

>

> This communication is intended for the use of the recipient to whom it is

> addressed and may contain confidential, personal, and/or privileged

> information. Please contact me immediately if you are not the intended

> recipient of this communication, and do not copy, distribute, or take

> action relying on it. Any communication received in error, or subsequent

> reply, should be deleted or destroyed.

>

> Please consider the environment before printing this email

>

>

>

> *We acknowledge that the land on which we gather in Treaty Six Territory

> is the traditional gathering place for many Indigenous people. We honour

> and respect the history, languages, ceremonies and culture of the First

> Nations, Métis and Inuit who call this territory home*.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Susan Kelmer

> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 29, 2019 3:40 PM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> I have heard this same crap from Pearson through my contact (which is

> probably the same). By now, they have heard the “whys” and yes, they are

> being literal roadblocks to providing what we ask for.

>

>

>

> When we request a PDF through ATN, we get it next-day (unless that title

> is on VitalSource, then we have to do the end run or workaround, which

> takes weeks, if they even respond at all).

>

>

>

> So no, they are not “committed” to getting us what we need. If it isn’t

> in their tiny little definition of what they want to provide, we get the

> runaround, and the 20 questions, and really this just delays us getting

> what we need for our student. That is what I wish they would understand.

> We aren’t asking for a PDF because we don’t know any better. We are asking

> for a PDF because that is what we need to do what we do for the student.

>

>

>

> If anyone wants the contact with Pearson directly, please email me

> off-list, I’m happy to share my contact’s information.

>

>

>

> *Susan Kelmer*

>

> *Alternate Format Production Program Manager*

>

> *Disability Services*

>

> *University of Colorado Boulder*

>

> *303-735-4836*

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *George Kerscher

> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 29, 2019 3:29 PM

> *To:* 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> Hello,

>

>

>

> I reached out to folks at Pearson to get some clarification. Here is what

> I was told:

>

> Begin email from Pearson rep

>

> if a student needs a PDF for accessibility purposes we will provide it.

> We're not in the business of denying anyone access to what they need for

> learning. As you are aware we've partnered with Vitalsource to provide

> accessible ePubs to students and in most cases this does meet their needs.

> When it doesn't, we ask why - not to "get in the way" but to try to

> understand the needs of the student in question.

>

>

>

> While we do ask for "Proof of purchase" it isn't to identify the students

> - we are as concerned with privacy as anyone else. I'll look at the

> messaging we use to see if we can do a better job communicating.

>

>

>

> As to his two week wait. we have internal approval processes in place

> before we let PDF's out the door. Those processes are in place to help

> insure that we protect the IP rights of our authors. Sometimes this does

> slow things down but we are currently active in trying to improve those

> processes and reduce the time necessary to deliver the PDF's.

>

>

>

> I hope that helps, please feel free to reach out with any questions.

>

> End of email from Pearson rep.

>

>

>

> I was also told if anybody would like to communicate directly, send me (

> kerscher at montana.com) and I will forward the request to my contact.

>

>

>

> Best

>

> George

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Deborah Armstrong

> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:55 AM

> *To:* 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> Just to give you comfort, the same thing has happened to me six times so

> far. Three of those times, luckily the student fell in love with

> VitalSource. The other three times, I had to do the

> proof-of-purchase-big-argument-thing!

>

>

>

> For me, the bigger problem is when a student’s textbook is an ebook only,

> integrated with the LMS. Pearson’s beginning to do that a lot now, and so

> is Cengage. If a student has a book I can scan, then it’s much easier.

>

>

>

> --Debee

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Sorensen, Neal B

> *Sent:* Monday, January 28, 2019 1:55 PM

> *To:* athen-list at u.washington.edu

> *Subject:* [Athen] Pearson Pushing VitalSource after ATN denial

>

>

>

> Hi All,

>

>

>

> I’m writing to see if anyone else has encountered a problem like this with

> (our dear friend) Pearson. Here’s the story. I made a request on AccessText

> Network for Microeconomics by Pindyck and Rubinfeld, and the request was

> denied. I received a follow-up e-mail at the same time saying the title is

> available on VitalSource, and the student could sent a proof-of-purchase

> directly to Pearson to get a free access code for their book. Now, I have

> NEVER had to provide a proof-of-purchase to get any book on AccessText

> Network. Their follow-up also suggested contacting the Pearson disability

> support office if the student is “using an assistive technology other than

> a screen reader.” The request has been approved by their permissions and

> now I’m just waiting for the book.

>

>

>

> This is unacceptable of Pearson. Thankfully the student has tried to use

> textbooks only accessible online before, and knows the PDF is better for

> his needs. I’ve been waiting almost two weeks now for this book (I got a

> customer satisfaction survey before I got the book). What is mildly

> infuriating about all this is that I know they have the book in PDF… I

> mean, it’s on VitalSource so they have electronic versions! Why not just

> give me the PDF?

>

>

>

> Additionally, why would I give Pearson the identity of my student? We are

> bound to confidentiality, and asking the student to identify themselves to

> the publisher is not necessary. This just goes to show that the major

> publishers will always try new ideas that don’t make sense, and that it is

> important to push back against those ideas when we encounter them!

>

>

>

> Neal Sorensen

>

> Access Specialist

>

> Accessibility Resources

>

> Minnesota State University, Mankato

>

> 132 Memorial Library

>

> Mankato, MN 56001

>

>

>

> Phone: 507-389-5242

>

> FAX: 507-389-1199

>

> Email: *neal.sorensen at mnsu.edu <neal.sorensen at mnsu.edu>*

>

>

>

> [image: cid:image001.png at 01CF4281.A3698650]

>

>

>

> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is

> for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential

> and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or

> distribution is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in

> error, please delete it from your system without copying it, and notify the

> sender by reply email so that our address record can be corrected.

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman12.u.washington.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fathen-list&data=02%7C01%7Clbencomo%40uccs.edu%7C1533112ed3e545e22a8708d687d585d0%7C529343fae8c8419fab2ea70c10038810%7C1%7C0%7C636845748490559038&sdata=urOShs0Ig7Iaxke6j%2F4CCjhC3W%2FjCOldekJoIdk1tGs%3D&reserved=0>

>

>

>

>

> --

>

> *Alternate Media Supervisor*

>

> Disabled Students' Program

>

> University of California, Berkeley

>

> https://dsp.berkeley.edu/

> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdsp.berkeley.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clbencomo%40uccs.edu%7C1533112ed3e545e22a8708d687d585d0%7C529343fae8c8419fab2ea70c10038810%7C1%7C0%7C636845748490559038&sdata=%2BwvymLA9fGxKd2jvx30%2F3DopshBRvzmIilMRlZEI1HA%3D&reserved=0>

>

> (510) 642-0329

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

>



--
Robert Spangler
Disability Services Technical Support Specialist
rspangler1 at udayton.edu
Office of Learning Resources (OLR) - RL 023
Ryan C. Harris Learning & Teaching Center (LTC)
University of Dayton | 300 College Park | Dayton, Ohio 45469-1302
Phone: 937-229-2066
Fax: 937-229-3270
Ohio Relay: 711 (available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing)
Web Site: http://go.udayton.edu/learning
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20190204/61446a0b/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 15239 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20190204/61446a0b/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3516 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20190204/61446a0b/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 4084 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20190204/61446a0b/attachment-0001.jpg>


More information about the athen-list mailing list