[Nfb-science] New Chemistry Book Available

Sat May 12 22:59:40 CDT 2007

Peter,

Good point. I'll try again.

John

On Sat, May 12, 2007 at 06:00:14PM -0500, Peter Donahue wrote:
> Hello John and listers,
> 
> Did you mention that you were deaf-blind in addition to being a Braille
> transcriber? It's important that some deaf-blind beta testers be involved to
> ensure that they will also have access to this textbook and others this
> publisher may create in the future.
> 
> Peter Donahue
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Whapples" <mikster4 at msn.com>
> To: "NFB Science and Engineering Division List" <nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 6:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-science] New Chemistry Book Available
> 
> 
> Its that sort of response that is progressing things forward. I understand
> that they may not give it to anyone, but I am surprised that they won't do
> anything with you to see if you can get a braille translation. Would they be
> prepared to try your software and give you feedback (I know that isn't
> optimal if you need to do some more development on the software to manage
> it, but it would be a start.
> 
> From
> Michael Whapples
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John J. Boyer" <john at godtouches.org>
> To: "NFB Science and Engineering Division List" <nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 5:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-science] New Chemistry Book Available
> 
> 
> >I have an extensive background in transcribing books on science and
> > mathematics into Braille, but I'm neither a teacher nor a student. I
> > would like to test my braille transcription program on the xml file
> > contained in this Digital Talking Book, assuming that it is in the Daisy
> > format. Why isn't it being made available for interested parties to
> > download? I've written to the contact given in a previous message on
> > this subject, but I was informed that I would have to be a student or
> > teacher.
> >
> > You can read about my transcription software at
> > http://www.jjb-software.com.
> >
> > John
> >
> > On Tue, May 01, 2007 at 07:00:08PM -0400, Cary Supalo wrote:
> >> Here is something I received from a friend who wanted me to promote
> >> this new accessible chemistry book. There will be several
> >> presentations on this topic at the National Convention. Please feel
> >> free to forward this to anyone who you think might be interested.
> >> Cary Supalo
> >> Chemistry in the Community, New Digital Talking Book
> >>
> >> In collaboration with gh, LLC, (an assistive technology company) the
> >> American Chemical Society has converted its high school chemistry
> >> textbook Chemistry in the Community into a digital talking book (DTB)
> >> format. This will be the first digital talking chemistry textbook on
> >> the market and is designed to help students who are blind or visual
> >> impaired study chemistry along with their sighted peers.  Chemistry
> >> in the Community, DTB will also be a powerful tool for students who
> >> have reading difficulties or for whom English is a second language.
> >>
> >> Converting a high school chemistry textbook into a DTB presented
> >> interesting  challenges for ACS Education Division and gh staff, as
> >> chemistry textbooks contain unique features which must be accurately
> >> represented in the digital reading of the text.   For example, the
> >> pictorial nature of a chemistry textbook (illustrations, figures,
> >> tables, graphs, molecular models, formulas and equations) makes the
> >> use of a "text only" access method ineffective.  In order to make a
> >> chemistry text actually usable, the essential graphics need to be
> >> communicated so they can be understood by a student who is blind or
> >> visually impaired.
> >>
> >> A careful review of the initial drafts of the product revealed the
> >> nuances of reading dimensional analysis, stock method naming, ionic
> >> charges, and catalyzed reactions.  These items were addressed along
> >> with the other graphic elements to create a product that is now ready
> >> for field tests.
> >>
> >> ACS is currently looking for interested teachers and students to help
> >> with this phase of the project.  Teachers of blind and visual
> >> impaired students will be asked to use the DTB in their classrooms
> >> during the spring and early summer and to provide valuable input on
> >> the usability and effectiveness of the product.  Student input
> >> regarding usability will also be solicited. The final digital talking
> >> book is expected to be released in the fall following the completion
> >> of the field tests. If you are interested in field testing this
> >> exciting new product please contact chemcom at acs.org.
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Nfb-science mailing list
> >> Nfb-science at nfbnet.org
> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-science
> >>
> >
> > -- 
> > John J. Boyer, Executive Director
> > GodTouches Digital Ministry, Inc.
> > http://www.godtouches.org
> > Madison, Wisconsin, USA
> > Peace, Love, Service
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Nfb-science mailing list
> > Nfb-science at nfbnet.org
> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-science
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-science mailing list
> Nfb-science at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-science
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-science mailing list
> Nfb-science at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-science
> 

-- 
John J. Boyer, Executive Director
GodTouches Digital Ministry, Inc.
http://www.godtouches.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Peace, Love, Service