Hi Terri,
I think that we should all join Arrl. It is worth it. Blind people can join for a very reasonable rate so we do not need QST. We can get that from NLS.
The rate for blind people is something like $8 per year or $24 for 3 years. It may be slightly more but I think it is pretty close to that.
I have been an Arrl Member since I got my license.
I feel that if we want Arrl to do things for us we should be Members and besides that it is very worthwhile.
You can call them on a tollfree number to join.
Colleen Roth, N8TNV;


----- Original Message -----
From: Terri Pannett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 11:35:30
Subject: arecc level 1 course

>
>
> Hi, All,
> 
> I promised to let you know what happened with the course.
> 
> I was given an abridged copy of the course material a few weeks ahead of 
> time in rich text format.  I converted the files into Word using a program 
> called Jarte.  I imported the files into Duxbury, made them more braille 
> friendly, translated the files and embossed them.  I was told that text in 
> italics would be on the test, so I "marked" those places so I could find 
> them again quickly and easily.  The material took 159 interpoint pages.  It 
> would have taken less than that, but I wanted each learning unit to start on 
> an odd-numbered page and I put "LU" followed by the unit number as a running 
> header on each page so I could find them quickly.
> 
> The rest of the class had PowerPoint slides and printed handouts to look at. 
> The teachers read some of the text from the slides aloud and I was able to 
> follow along with my braille material.  There were questions at the end of 
> each learning unit, which were read aloud and answered verbally.  My copy 
> didn't have all of the questions, so I requested the entire correct answer 
> be read aloud.  I took notes using my BrailleSense Plus.
> 
> They had planned to give me a .txt version of the test on a usb drive, but 
> they copied the wrong one to the drive, so I ended up taking it orally. 
> Thankfully, I passed, and I give all the credit to God!
> 
> I'm not an arrl member, but it would be nice if the ARRL offered its 
> material in accessible formats for the blind.  Everyone doesn't have the 
> equipment and software to braille their own material and I know some of you 
> don't read braille and prefer a different format.
> 
> I learned that ARRL is redesigning the Level 2 and Level 3 courses and 
> eventually they will be one course instead of two.  That's why these courses 
> aren't offered now.
> 
> Do you think ARRL should offer their materials in alternate formats for us?
> 
> Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.