[nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)

Thu Nov 4 23:21:47 GMT 2010

Thanks Kimberley and Ashley for sharing this info.

Kimberley,
Is there a reason that you do not access books at the college library?

Linda

> From: kimthurman at insightbb.com
> Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:16:22 -0400
> To: bookwormahb at earthlink.net; nabs at acb.org
> Subject: Re: [nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)
> 
> I have had success with the libraries article data bases such as Infotrack for articles on my subject. For books, I just use bookshare.org. I then open the XML version in Internet Explorer and search the text for words pertinent to my topic with the control F command in the JAWS screenreader. These methods have served me well thus far. hth
> On Nov 4, 2010, at 1:04 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:
> 
> > Hi Laura,
> > I struggle with research in fact right now I am.
> > I cannot read efficiently in print so i go the auditory route by jaws and readers. Libraries are not accessible because its all printed matterial. You are right on when you said that library staff is not available and colleges do not provide readers to help. You got to hire them on your own and
> > pay yourself or via the dept for the blind. They can authorize some money for readers but not much.
> > 
> > I was lucky at George Mason University because not only did I find a reader with research competency a few librarians went out of their way to assist me and finding matterials. I mean they skimmed table of contents or abstracts for me and helped me get some things in inter library loan.
> > You said
> > "never once have I heard of a college library that
> > has people available and willing and able to help read through table of contents and indexes to help find particular pieces or
> > sections of information. Think about how long it takes most
> > people to research in a library-- sometimes hours. In the past
> > I've assumed, probably rightly so, that that kind of people-power
> > is just not available."
> > 
> > True. They're busy people. At my last school and now at NOVA I have gotten some help if I schedule an appointment in advance with a reference librarian but its not been enough time; they have other obligations and say they have to leave.
> > I'm currently trying to find a reader with research competency ; half the readers I interviewed could not even read fluently due to english being their second language; international students. Still others were good readers but indicated they could not work the databases; that was new to them.
> > I am serious; I got over ten people with accents from Pakistan, Napal, or Ethiopia.
> > My rate was pretty high too. I'm hoping and praying I can find a decent reader whose great at skimming and databases and research so I can get my work done well.
> > 
> > Ashley
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Laura Glowacki" <orangebutterfly87 at gmail.com>
> > To: "Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students." <nabs at acb.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 12:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)
> > 
> > 
> >> Linda,
> >> 
> >> The biggest issue I run in to in utilizing library resources is
> >> the potential for having to spend hours and hours to find
> >> particular information in a printed source. For someone who is
> >> low vision, using a CCTV can be very tedious. Also, they may not
> >> have one either that is portable or that is in the library which
> >> would necessitate multiple trips for books if they don't find the
> >> information in the first or second source they check out. For
> >> someone who is totally blind or unable to read print, the idea of
> >> using a reader is quite daunting. I'll admit that I haven't
> >> checked, but never once have I heard of a college library that
> >> has people available and willing and able to help read through
> >> table of contents and indexes to help find particular pieces or
> >> sections of information. Think about how long it takes most
> >> people to research in a library-- sometimes hours. In the past
> >> I've assumed, probably rightly so, that that kind of people-power
> >> is just not available. Part of it is knowing if your reader has
> >> research competency or not as well.
> >> 
> >> Also, when I've gone to the inevitable required "orientation to
> >> the library" lecture during five or six different classes
> >> throughout my college career, never do either the professor or
> >> librarian even consider accessibility issues. I am often left
> >> either trying to keep up with the class on my own laptop and
> >> usually failing to because using an unfamiliar website with jaws
> >> is much slower than clicky clicky like everyone else does. Or I
> >> end up sitting in front of a computer without accessible software
> >> listening to the lecture and feeling annoyed because I could be
> >> better using that time trying to figure it out on my own.
> >> 
> >> Just some thoughts. I realize this sounds a little cynical, and
> >> part of it is that I'm stubborn and have traditionally assumed
> >> that the resources are not there to save myself the time,
> >> trouble, and disappointment of finding out. So perhaps an equal
> >> amount of this then needs to be figuring out ways to advertise
> >> services for students with disabilities.
> >> 
> >> Laura
> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "linda green" <ysgreen79 at hotmail.com>
> >> To: <nabs at acb.org>
> >> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 8:51 AM
> >> Subject: [nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Hey guys-
> >> I am a fellow student (graduated in March) and know the
> >> challenges of accessing and utilizing the college library (I also
> >> work in one).
> >> 
> >> I want to do a training with the staff on issues related to
> >> accessing the library for students -
> >> 
> >> My question to you is-
> >> 
> >> Can you provide me some issues that you may have in accessing or
> >> using your college library?
> >> 
> >> Do you use the library?
> >> 
> >> What would you like to see happen or change?
> >> 
> >> **FYI: The library has many resources that I think are great for
> >> students with visual impairments. Just recently I found that some
> >> databases have a 'Listen' button (once you open an article you
> >> have searched for) and you can actually listen to the article.
> >> Also, you can access ebooks (in which you can download to ipod,
> >> mp3).
> >> 
> >> If you have any questions or need assistance in regards to
> >> library services/resources, I'll be glad to help!!
> >> 
> >> Thanks in advance for your time!
> >> 
> >> Regards,
> >> Linda
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> 
> >> 
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