Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j8MCm1G06394; Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:48:01 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:48:01 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <200509221247.BZR14484@puntd4.cc.uga.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Christopher Lee" <christopherlee@mindspring.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:4864] Alternative Media X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.6353 Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3991 Lines: 82 Alternative Media I am a big fan of electronic books. I believe that individuals with reading difficulties can benefit from accessing free digital text. Many books in the public domain can be accessed free of charge. The field of alternative media is moving forward quickly in the K-12 population as well as the ABE setting. Whether the text comes from resources like RFB&D, Bookshare or other on-line libraries, the numbers of individuals accessing these services is increasing. I believe part of this is largely due to the popularity of e-books in the general population. In this months issue (September 2005) of Runners World there was an amazing article entitled "Words on the Street"”and the author described how running while listening to a book combines the best of both worlds – it transports mind and body. I have to admit I am an IPOD junky – I download about 65% of what I read to my IPOD. This includes books, articles, and anything ease I can get my hands on. Ironically, I could not get the Words on the Street” article downloaded, and my imaging software could not pick up the photocopy of the article so I did it my “old fashioned way.” I begged someone to read it to me. Before the IPOD I had an MP3 player that cost me a total of $49 dollars. To date this has been one of the best investments I have ever made. Access to information is such an important part of everyones life and alternative media offers adults with reading disabilities a vehicle to move around in the world. I dont know what I would do without talk radio, my scanner (OCR) software, and my screen reader. There are several types of alternative media recognized in the field of disabilities. A few of the more popular ones are audio, Braille, tactile graphics, large print, and electronic text. For the field of LD the most common are audio, large print, and electronic text. Audio material is commonly recorded on cassette tapes, but it may also be stored on CD-ROM or other types of storage media. It is also produced in audio format by having E-text read with a speech synthesizer. Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) is one of the most commonly used resources; however, a membership is required as well as a four track tape recorder or specialized software. Electronic Text has emerged as a popular method of access for individuals with LD. Current software applications (e.g. adjusting font size), screen magnification, and screen reading software with speech synthesizer can really make a difference. However, in 2004 The National Center for Technology Innovation issued A Review of Technology-Based Approaches for Reading Instruction: Tools for Researchers and Vendors states that “…although AT and AMT approaches in general have the potential to create successful reading experiences for students, it is only when they are combined with effective teaching strategies that success occurs.” Check out these Digital Libraries Free Text • The Online Books Page offers over 20,000 copyright free titles, searchable by author, title, or subject. • Project Gutenberg is a comprehensive site that allows you to search by author, title, or subject. Files are available in both .txt and .zip format. • Reading Room at the Internet Public Library offers books, magazines and newspaper as well as special collections that range from Native American Authors to the US Presidents and links to special multimedia exhibits. Available as text (.txt) files. www.netlibrary.com (e-text) www.metatext.com (e-text) www.safarix.com (e-text) http://sun1.aph.org/starweb/APHBLLouis/servlet.starweb (braille, audio, e-text) www.rfbd.org (audio) loc.gov/nls (braille, audio, e-text) www.bookshare.org (e-text) htctu.fhda.edu (e-text) digital.library.upenn.edu/books (e-text) www.ipl.org (e-text) Christopher Christopher M. Lee, Ph.D., Director Alternative Media Access Center 331 Milledge Hall Athens, Georgia 30602-5875 Phone: 706.542.4589 Fax: 706.583.0001 www.amac.uga.edu
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