I have heard that you can download software online to listen to the CDs from Recordings for the Blind. My daughter has been using the tapes until now, but has trouble finding her place on the tape, since her assigned readings often jump around in the book.
What format/software do you recommend for listening to the cds? a machine? software on the computer? Is there an inexpensive download to see if this is even going to work for her?
Thanks for your help
Re: Player or download for RFB CDs
Colette and Connie,
I highly recommend an assistive technology assessment because as you have stated, there are many options and you need to see what works best based on your child’s needs.
As you probably know, every student on an IEP must be considered for assistive technology so it may be time to request an assessment by someone qualified if your child has not been considered for assistive technology.
There are a number of software options for text-to-speech (as opposed to screen readers which those who are visually impaired need) and a variety of ways to access the text. Do you need textbooks or fiction/non-fiction books in an accessible format?
We’re in the middle of this subject, too. My son hated the tapes, and we switched to the audioplus CDs using the Victor Soft program. Now, we’re having trouble with the software plus my son is greatly annoyed by the long descriptions of each of the photos or graphs. We are seriously considering moving to a portable player, so he can fastforward past the photo or graph descriptions.
On a similar note, I’ve gotten very interested in Bookshare.org as another source for books. That program uses synthesized voices instead of actual readers, so a program to change that text to audio is needed. As I understand it, the bookshare books could be listened to on the portable player once they are converted to audio and then to an MP3 format. There aren’t many textbooks available from Bookshare, but the rest of their library looks good. My head is swimming with all the options.