[nabs] Audio Books from RFB&D Are Now Available on the Mac

[Ecaterina Henter]

Hello all,



Audio Books from RFB&D Are Now Available on the Mac
More info below:



http://www.prweb.com/releases/RFBD/ReadHear/prweb4837804.htm#


With RFB&D ReadHear, students can download and enjoy their DAISY-formatted 
books within minutes.

This is a positive step forward for accessibility. People with learning 
differences can thrive when their menu of technology options is open and 
diverse.
Princeton, NJ (Vocus) November 29, 2010

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic® (RFB&D®), the nation’s largest provider 
of educational audio textbooks, announced that its entire collection is now 
accessible on Mac as well as Windows operating systems through the 
introduction of RFB&D ReadHear, developed by gh, LLC in partnership with 
RFB&D.

“This is truly a milestone on our path to make educational content more 
accessible for those who need it most,” says Andrew Friedman, acting CEO of 
RFB&D. “Our individual and institutional members are eager to tap the 
spectrum of assistive technologies available today. While satisfying users 
who have been asking for access to our materials on the Mac, this 
dual-platform approach also provides an advanced solution for our large base 
of Windows users. We look forward to widening their range of accessibility 
even more in the coming year.”

Background:


  a..     This long awaited development is the result of RFB&D’s extensive 
collaboration with gh, LLC, an assistive technology company specializing in 
access to information for people with visual, learning or physical 
disabilities.


  b..     A new dual-platform software player developed by gh enables users 
to access the entire library of RFB&D DAISY-formatted content on both Mac 
and Windows systems. The new technology will also support RFB&D’s developing 
generation of content containing digital text and audio.
  c..     Thanks to funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education, 
RFB&D will license the player to individual members for free (one copy per 
member, renewable after one year).


  d..     A brief video product demonstration of the new RFB&D ReadHear 
solution is posted at http://www.rfbd.org/readhear . The page is a one-stop 
info hub for Mac OS and Windows users, featuring technical specifications, 
“How To” and “Quick Start” documents; and an FAQ.


  e..     Institutional members (e.g. school systems) can obtain information 
and price quotes regarding licensing opportunities by contacting James 
Higgins, Vice President RFB&D Programs and Services at 
jhiggins(at)rfbd(at)org.
“This is a positive step forward for accessibility,” says Alexa Posny, 
Assistant Secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services at the U.S. Department of Education. “People with learning 
differences can thrive when their menu of technology options is open and 
diverse.”

““I found ReadHear very easy to download and set up, and it really 
streamlines the study process,” says Elizabeth Burns, a visually impaired 
graduate student in upstate New York who is pursuing her doctorate in 
American History. “I spend several hours reading and studying every day, 
using a few devices along with my computer. I was constantly shifting 
between devices to listen and take notes. Now by being able to access a 
recorded book and take notes on my computer, it’s a matter of just a few 
keystrokes between one program and the other, which is marvelous because it 
reduces the amount of physical effort.”

“gh has worked as the industry leader for many years on developing 
state-of-the-art software to support DAISY books on a variety of platforms,” 
adds Dave Schleppenbach, President of gh, LLC. “Our mission is to assist as 
many students as possible with cutting-edge technology to support their 
varied learning styles. Working with RFB&D is a tremendous opportunity to 
reach students across the country, hopefully changing lives for the better.”



About Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®
Founded in 1948, RFB&D serves more than 270,000 K-12, college and graduate 
students, as well as veterans and lifelong learners – all of whom cannot 
read standard print due to blindness, visual impairment, dyslexia, or other 
disability. RFB&D's collection of more than 63,000 digitally recorded 
textbooks and literature titles – delivered through internet downloads, 
various assistive technology devices, and CD – is the largest of its kind in 
the world. More than 5,400 volunteers across the U.S. help to record and 
process the books, which students rely on to achieve educational success and 
entry into the workforce. RFB&D, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is funded by grants 
from the U.S. Department of Education, state and local education programs, 
and the generous contributions of individuals, foundations and corporations. 
For more information, call (866) 732-3585 or visit http://www.rfbd.org .

About gh, LLC
gh, LLC is an award-winning assistive technology company providing access to 
information for people with a visual, learning or physical disability, 
whether they are reading a textbook, publication, standardized test, or 
website. Conversion services include Braille, tactile graphics, Digital 
Talking Books, and NIMAS formats. For more information on gh, LLC, click 
here.

Contact: Doug Sprei, Director of Media Relations
dsprei(at)rfbd(dot)org; (202) 684-8915



All the best,

Ecaterina
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