Hello,
These are the exact same experiences that I have been having.
Requirements vary greatly from publisher to publisher. Some send
electronic forms which stipulate the disability adviser has to fill in
asking allsorts of questions. Yes, usually when they ask for a name,
they want the student's name, the course they're on and when they are
due to finish. They also often ask that we will guarantee that at the
end of the student's course, the electronic file will be destroyed.
Publishers invariably send files as PDFs which for screen readers i.e.
Jaws often have to be converted into Word. I have had to go back to the
publisher then to ask permission to send the file to a transcription
centre to have it converted - another step in the process! Sometimes,
they send the file straight away - not many questions asked (rare) and
sometimes they ask you to buy a hard copy and send evidence of purchase
and then they send the electronic file.
The whole thing is very time consuming and there is no way to speed the
process up, other than you being told what books are required at least
four months before they are required! As every publisher has a different
system, the process is confusing and I have found getting books from
America particularly difficult. Sometimes when I contact a publisher, it
seems they don't know what they have to do themselves and I am passed
from pillar to post.
As for scanning and photocopying - it is my understanding that certainly
for VI and blind students - this can be done no matter what as they are
exempt from copyright law, but your library should be better able to
advise you on that.
Someone contacted me recently and asked me to fill in a questionnaire
about these experiences, I think with a view to lobbying publishers
about providing materials for VI and blind people in electronic format
more readily and without such complicated hoops to jump through. I am
sure he would be happy for me to pass on his name to you, which I will
do off list.
Not sure this helps, just confirms that - yes, I experience the same
frustrations!
***********************************************************
Brigid Callaghan
Disability Adviser
Student Services
University of Bolton
Deane Rd
Bolton
BL3 5AB
[log in to unmask]
To make an appointment: 01204 903733.
Direct line: 01204 903803
Minicom: 01204 903490
Please do not print off this email unless absolutely necessary - save
the planet.
***********************************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deborah Wilson
Sent: 18 December 2008 11:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Requesting material from publishers in an accessible format
Hello,
We are trying to clarify (and speed up) the process of requesting
material from publishers in an accessible format - and I was wondering
if anyone had any experience in this area that they would be willing to
share.
The main issue for us at the minute is the detail required from
publishers in order to issue licences to enable us to scan material that
they cannot provide in PDF. Publishers have asked us for students names,
lecturers names and course details. We thought we were covered by our
CLA license - the publishers don't agree. Also, if a name has to be
given (with consent) - should it be the student's? Or the lecturer's?
Has anyone else resolved this type of issue? If so, have similar issues
arisen when material has been provided in PDF? Or are there only
problems with licenses for scanning?
Any feedback will be gratefully received!
Deborah
_______________________
Deborah Wilson
User Services Librarian
Main Library
Queen's University
Belfast
BT7 1LS
Tel: 028 9097 5165
Fax: 028 9032 3340
Email: [log in to unmask]
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