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Gee, I almost missed this posting! I guess this might be something "up my alley." I would suggest that reading specific journals such as "Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness," "Teaching Exceptional Children," "RE:View," "Journal of Special Education," "Braille Forum," "Braille Monitor," or "Future Reflections" for information about the resources available to the blind for accessing informational resources in the library. (My favorites are J.V.I.B. and RE:View.) However, to make print materials accessible, most blind students / adults use scanners with software programs that speak. I am attaching only a few links that provide access to some of the major vendors of these products. (We use Open Book which allows us to scan text for reading print; we use JAWS for Windows for accessing electronic documents (computer generated or for the Internet--usually used best with Internet Explorer), and we use ZoomText to enlarge print documents (or CD Rom software) from regular print to extremely large print to accommodate the students / library patrons.) Some of the best links to start with might be: Blindness Resource Center: http://www.nyise.org/blind.htm Blindness Related Resources: http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/blind.html Adapted Computer Technology: http://www.compuaccess.com/ These all list several vendors that offer products and information concerning their use. Each patron's needs will be different depending upon factors such as interest in the use of the Internet for informational needs, use of scanners for print documents, ability to utilize technology, braille skills (for refreshable braille displays), etc. However, most of these programs are specialized and widely used by those within the "blind community." The cost depends upon how detailed you want the program ~~ or how much you want to access and how "techie" you want to get. We purchased JAWS and ZoomText for one computer system ~~ the cost with a scanner was around $3500. (At our school we just set up a network system with over 120 computers throughout the school, including the library and the classrooms. The cost for installing a network system with astronomical!! ~~"it ain't cheap!" Hope this helps! (If you need more links, more info, or more connections to those who might be utilizing these pieces of software, please respond to me personally!) Shonda Brisco LMS Oklahoma School for the Blind (for only 2 more days...then... Assistant Professor of Curriculum Materials Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma cowboys@ok.azalea.net (home) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=