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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