Hello Harry,
Bill and Lynn are correct. Even if you added free training on all this
equipment you propose to give all people who are blind and visually
impaired, the majority would still not be able to or would want to use
all that just to read a book. Also who is going to maintain all this
equipment?
I personally have trained some elderly individuals on how to use the old
4-track NLS players, and I feel that these players are unnecessarily to
complicated. It's a real challenge for some to learn, particularly those
with declining cognitive abilities.
Next, a large number of NLS patrons are not blind or visually impaired,
they have other print disabilities that prevent or limit their ability
to access print books, such as severe arthuritis, CP, Quadriplegia, just
to name a few.
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: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lynn Evans
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book
situation
Nice try there Harry:
So if I have cerebral palsy and just don't have the coordination to
operate the type of equipment you suggest then I am locked out of your
program.
So if I don't have the mental acuity to learn all this technology (it is
a
mighty steep learning curve) then I am locked out of your program.
The vast majority of NLS patrons are not as computer savvy as most of us
on
this list or do they want to be. They just want to listen to books
with a
human voice.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sun Sounds of Arizona" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 5:23 PM
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book
situation
: Dear Harry from Michigan,
:
: Though I hear what you are saying, and I do not plan to flame you,
your
view
: misses several key points.
:
: First off, your proposed solution will be of very limited use to the
vast
: majority of blind people who are of advanced age. This older group is
the
: biggest group of blind people, and also the biggest users of the
current
: system. The learning curve on what you propose is just not practical
for
: all of those people.
:
: Secondly: The vast majority of blind people we've spoken with prefer
human
: reading far more than synthetic speech. Even counting the great
expansion
: in audio books which have become available commercially, it's still
only a
: drop in the bucket. The vast majority of books would have to be read
using
: synthetic speech, or in a very small number of cases, refreshable
Braille.
:
: Thirdly: Why is it that we always have to give up one technology to
make
: room for another. What blind people have really lacked is choices.
Your
: solution would just replace one system with strengths and weaknesses
with
: another system with strengths and weaknesses. Those of us who can,
already
: use technology like that which you suggest to augment our book
reading.
But
: why should we who can, totally cut off those who cannot. Why should
we
: deny ourselves the extra option too. Personally, even though I use
JAWS
and
: Scanners, and Computers, I still very much enjoy hearing a well read
book
: with a human reader from the NLS.
:
: Finally: Ultimately, I think some common solution will overtake all
the
: current systems for accessing literature and other information. But
until
: that day, still some time off, we as blind consumers should have
choices,
: and an array of options to fit our individual preferences and needs.
:
: Bill from Arizona
:
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
: [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
: Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:41 PM
: To: [log in to unmask]
: Subject: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book
situation
:
: Hi all,
: Before I get flamed on this, because I'm sure I will, hear me out on
this,
: ok?
: I have a better idea for the talking book program than what everybody
is
: screaming for, at the moment.
: First, the current talking book program was useful, but is not useful
any
: more. It's not because even if we go digital, we're still going to
see
only
: 20000 books produced each year, and how many books are published
annually?
: Try about 6000000, or more. So, the program is not even keeping up
with
the
: number of books being published, so, what are the blind and disabled?
Still
: 2nd class citizens, not keeping up on equal footing with able bodied
folks.
: Now, is there a better way? You bet there is, and here it is.
: There are 2 better options.
: 1. Instead, use that 20 billion dollars a year to buy a handheld
reading
: machine for every blind and disabled person. This way they can read
books,
: mail, you name it, any printed document they like.
: 2. Even better, buy every blind and disabled person in America a
fully
: functioning pocket handheld computer, which can run Windows XP, or,
Windows
: Vista, and include a scanner with it, also either Kurzweil, openbook,
or,
: VIP reading software, so then they can read documents as mentioned in
1
: above. Then, also include in that package, either Jaws for Windows,
Window
: Eyes, or, Freedom Box's System access, which would give them internet
access
: and word processing.
: So folks, there are better ways of doing things then we have done
them.
: This will give the blind and disabled much more access to information,
than
: they would have through talking books.
: If you agree with this, you may modify it, and send it all over the
: internet, and to ACB and NFB, for being introduced as a resolution at
their
: conventions.
: Let's change the way the blind and disabled get access, not only to
the
: printed word, but to all information.
: Harry from Michigan
:
:
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