[bksvol-discuss] Re: who we are
- From: "Pratik Patel" <pratikp1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:40:35 -0500
Mike et al,
Because of the exponential pace of technology growth, we seem to have
different expectations from organizations such as Bookshare in terms of how
quickly it grows. Some informal economic analysis I have performed suggests
that the employment rate among the U.S. blind population has not radically
changed since he 1960's. It is difficult to attract blind users and
individuals who do not have the means to pay for the excellent service that
Bookshare provides. Unfortunately, Bookshare is also faced with the
attitudinal barriers among the blind population--at least a part of the
population that believes in receiving free services.
The fact that Bookshare is not willing to share their user base information
does not, by any means, suggest that the base is small and insignificant.
Perhaps the threshold of information that you consider sufficient for
Bookshare to divulge its subscription base is not the same as what the
Bookshare advisory Board considers sufficient. Let's also consider, RFB &
D, for instance. I have never heard anyone from RFB & D provide the type of
numbers and information that is being requested. As a governmental agency,
NLS does provide this type of information. But you will have to dig hard to
find the data.
Organizations such as RFB & D have certainly established their base
successfully simply because they have been in existence for a long period of
time. The comparison between Bookshare and RFB & D is not valid just for
that reason. RFB & D was established in 1950's if I am not mistaken.
Bookshare, on the other hand, was established--What, four years ago? While
it may seem like a long time to those of us who have been affiliated with
the organization from the beginning. Relatively speaking, however, that is
not very long time. We also have to consider the fact that, when RFB & D
was established, it had no competition. Bookshare has no such luxury. And,
there are some significant challenges for Bookshare when looking at various
populations. There are things on the horizon that will change some of that.
Your point about hundreds of hours of work and the effort to make books
accessible for individuals with disabilities is valid. As a volunteer, I
can quite understand why you might wish to know whether your efforts are
really going toward something worthwhile. Let me ask then, what number
would satisfy you? How many subscribers do you feel Bookshare should have
in order for the hundreds of hours to be worthwhile?
As I've said before on this list, IT ... WILL ... TAKE ... TIME!
Sincerely,
Pratik
Pratik Patel
Director, CUNY Assistive Technology Services (CATS)
The City University of New York
T: 718-997-3775
F: 718-997-5895
E: pratik.patel@xxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Pietruk
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 6:24 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: who we are
Pratik
If Benetech is unwilling to supply some concrete answers, and I can
understand why they may be unwilling to do so given the reasons you have
outlined, this would suggest to me that the numbers may be so dismal that
it wouldn't serve them competitively.
If that is the case, then this calls to question the worth while of
spending, as some of us do, hundreds of hours a year in intentionally
scanning and validating material for BookShare.
If few people read the books, then time could be better spent elsewhere;
on the other hand, if many benefit from the books, then the effort is
definitely worth while and this would encourage others (both sighted and
handicappted) to offer their services.
Elizabeth's questions cut to the core of the value of Bookshare to end
users; and Benetech, if it expects donations both of dollars and time, has
to be able to address these especially now that the service has been
around for a number of years.
I'd suggest that organizations such as RFB&D have established such success
and longevity as they have successfully demonstrated the value of their
service to their target audience.
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