EASI Presentation on <br />Bookshare.org for Education
Jim Fruchterman
February 26th, 2008
Overview
Bookshare.org (Who, How, What)
Working with Bookshare.org
Next Steps
Q & A
The Bookshare.org Solution
An online library of accessible digital text for the print disabled reader
Accessible books as digital text over the Internet
Not human narrated audio
Books similar to a web page or word processing file
Users access the books by
Listening to them (synthesized speech)
Viewing them enlarged (on a PC screen or printed)
Seeing and hearing the words simultaneously
Reading Braille (digital or hardcopy)
Who Can Use Bookshare.org &<br />Who Can Certify the Student?
Chafee Qualified
Visually impaired (blind or legally blind)
Learning disabled
Typically a student with a specific language learning impairment and IEP requiring text accommodation
Physically disabled
Cannot hold a book and turn pages
Certification
A qualified professional sign a Section 121 certification
Agency staffer certify that such a certification is on file
Who Can Use Bookshare.org
How Does Bookshare.org Work?
Website library, online 24/7
Search anytime by anybody
Allowed without login or membership
Use as needed
To access copyrighted books, membership and login required
Legal through Chafee
Seven point digital rights management (DRM)
Books downloaded in accessible formats
Books read with assistive technology of students' choice
Accessible File Formats
DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System)
Read books on a computer using visual presentation and synthetic speech (multi-modal)
NISO/DAISY 3.0 XML specification enables text-based navigation
Includes page numbers and paragraphs
Like HTML, plus some extra tags
Convert and play on MP3 player (like listening to music)
Accessible File Formats cont.
BRF (Easy-to-use grade 2 digital Braille)
Download Braille files directly from the site
Use notetakers or refreshable Braille displays
Download books to embosser
Emboss through partnership with Braille Institute
Create hardcopy Braille books
Digital Braille is the key to the future of Braille
An entire library on a flash card
School Membership Options
Choose to manage and download books on behalf of qualified students
Staff (Sponsors) for book downloading
Unlimited qualified students
Staff (Sponsors) manage Memberships for students
Allow students to have their own Membership
An all-you-can-read library card
Student will have their own login information and do their own downloading
Opt for both of these Membership options
Bookshare.org for Education Award
OSEP award (October 2007) for 5 years
Services now free to all U.S. schools and qualifying students including post-secondary
Huge focus on education
Educational materials
Outreach
Reduce duplication of effort
Additional resource <br />for all educators
What's in Bookshare.org?
Over 36,000 titles and growing
Best sellers, trade books, collections, fiction, non-fiction, much more!
Text books
NIMAS books
Teacher Recommended Reading lists
150 national newspapers and periodicals
Textbooks
Now: Textbooks as assigned by states
Recent addition of 50 High School books from the NIMAC
Future: Add thousands of textbooks within the next 5 years
Publisher files
Textbook sharing
Production
NIMAC
NIMAS/NIMAC
Bookshare.org is a registered AMP (accessible media producer)
State authorized users can request Bookshare.org to access books from the NIMAC
Bookshare.org will
Convert these files to DAISY
Quick conversion time (within one week)
Images by end of 2008
Image descriptions in 2009
Give converted files back to state requestor
Add these books to Bookshare.org's NIMAC collection
Student Qualifications: Chafee + IEP (K-12 only)
Book Sharing
School-produced books can be shared with Bookshare.org
Scan/Produce Once, Share Many!
Books for Schools
Schools and students provide text book lists
Bookshare.org provides free national repository
Supported Assistive Technology
Files work with most assistive technology today
Students use most appropriate technology
Today: Free DAISY reader offered with completed membership (VictorReader Soft, by HumanWare)
Downloadable freely for qualified users
Later this year, more free assistive tech software offered as download
More advanced version of current Victor Reader
Specialized LD software
Bookshare.org Services for Schools
Registration advice
Reporting capabilities this summer
Bookshare.org Services for Schools
Periodic/Ongoing communications
Quarterly newsletters
Updates and latest news
Training
Webinars
Conference calls
Videos
Mentor Teacher Program
Establish customized state Mentor Teachers' program
Incentives (Publicity, Educational Credits)
Next Steps:
Sign-up!
Get publishers to send us files
Q & A
Bookshare.org contacts:
Susie Mckinnon
Phone: 650-644-3433
Email: susie.m@benetech.org
Jim Fruchterman
Phone: 650-644-3400
Email: president@benetech.org
http://www.bookshare.org