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Hi Liz There are a number of one-box products that contain the equivalent of a PC, scanner, OCR software and speech synthesiser in an easy-to-use package. They seem to be aimed at non-techy users who just want to be able to stick a book or letter under the lid, press the 'Read' button and listen. There seems less interest in them nowadays, perhaps because PCs are so common and the components (scanners, OCR software etc) much cheaper than they once were. Have a look at: http://www.portset.co.uk/Reading.htm, http://www.telesensory.com/products2-2-2.html and http://www.sensorytools.com/pronto.htm Phil > -----Original Message----- > From: Liz Collins [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 9:42 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Access to reading materials for blind law student > > Phil - Many thanks for your reply. Please can you elaborate on what you > mean by a 'dedicated reading machine' - I am not that knowledgeable about > supportive technology. The student concerned has a laptop which uses JAWS > software, I know. > Thanks, Liz. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Phil Satchell [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 4:53 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Access to reading materials for blind law student > > > Liz > > Although I can't claim direct experience of this situation my memory of my > (rather brief) experience of law books was that they contain > straightforward > text (ie no nasty diagrams or pictures). Therefore I would expect the use > of > a dedicated reading machine or a PC with (say) Kurzweil software to be > fairly effective. I'm not suggesting that this would be a complete > solution > and the student will be disadvantaged because of the time required to > browse > material but it would be a powerful supplement to NMH funded human > support. > > Just my 4p worth. > > Phil > > Phil Satchell - Technical Project Officer > Office for Students with Disabilities, The Open University > +44 (0)1908-858214 > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Liz Collins [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > > Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 2:42 PM > > To: [log in to unmask] > > Subject: Access to reading materials for blind law student > > > > > > I should be interested to hear from anyone who has successfully overcome > > the > > problem of access to the voluminous reading materials required by law > > students for a student who is blind. Most material is in book form, > some > > of > > which are 500 pages. The time taken to read this on to tape, even > though > > using RNIB reading service and student support workers (who are > expensive) > > means that most of it will not be available in time for the student's > > needs. > > The RNIB tape library may have some material on tape, I realise. Are > > there > > any other speedy and not too expensive solutions that anyone has come > > across? My e mail address is below if you wish to contact me off-list. > > I look forward to hearing from you, > > > > Liz Collins > > Project Manager > > Student Services > > 0121 331 7757 > > e mail: [log in to unmask]