[nabs] RFB/Learning Ally is no longer free

[bookwormahb at earthlink.net]

Carley,
Yes it’s a human need, but RFB / Learning Ally should edit out those mistakes or the reader could pause the recording while they cough or sneeze or whatever. If the studio knew about these issues, I bet they would try to improve for the next edition of the book. I know they do quality control for the books, but  not sure how much they do; varies from studio to studio I’m sure.

From: Carly Mihalakis 
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 1:41 AM
To: tyler at tysdomain.com ; Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students. ; Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students. 
Subject: Re: [nabs] RFB/Learning Ally is no longer free



Hi, Tyler, and any interested folk,

Personally, as someone who was forced to become an auditory learner, after having braille forcibly,  torn from my skill set when braille was once a medium of choice, I find it much easier, being that I have to learn auditorilly, to level with the reader's basic human needs, such as getting sips of water or coughing. I find text to speech, too impersonal and sterile yet, nevertheless, flawless.
for today,
Car leaning up their recordings, yes. But I'm rather tired of getting recordings to hear discussions across the partition, them taking drinks and turning pages, etc etc. Without they start making their recordings somewhat better, I don't plan on using them. I always just got the book and either scanned it, or got it from bookshare or somewhere else. It was easier and I was able to flip through pages and find material that I needed.

  On 8/9/2011 3:44 PM, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote: 

    Hi all,
     
    With budget cuts to many nonprofits, Learning Ally lost their federal funding.
    They are now charging individuals a large fee annually for membership; when I joined years ago, I paid $35, but
    its much more than $35 now!
     
    I received word today via my email from Learning Ally that effective September 1
    individual memberships are $99.
    It said the following: 
      a.. On September 1, 2011 Individual Memberships will be $99 per year -a little more than eight dollars a month. 
      b.. For a limited time only, we are offering a special opportunity to renew your current membership for $79 (a savings of $20). Take advantage of this special membership offer, renew on/before August 31, 2011. 
    So what do you think? Will you pay this fee? 
    I know many of you may be tight on money; I hope your family can chip in or some group can sponsor you. Budgets are very tight. Personally, I enjoyed the free books. But I do understand the rationale to begin charging once again. They are a nonprofit after all. Other college students pay a lot for their texts.  I think a membership to audible.com is more expensive than this. 
     
    As for me, I plan to take more classes at community college even though I graduated in 2009 with a BA degree.  I need to keep my writing and study skills active. I think I will renew my Learning Ally membership. They recorded several books for me during school; the staff at the studio is very friendly.  Good thing I have a paying internship to help cover the cost. 
     
    I knew this was coming when I heard Learning Ally was losing funding. I knew it months ago prior to their announcement today. 
     
    Learning Ally has their flaws, but overall their books are helpful. I cannot study with a human reader at midnight, but I can pull out my Learning Ally book anytime and hear a human voice read to me. 
     
    Ashley 


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