Learning Ally
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Updated February, 2013

AMP Name: Learning Ally
Address: 20 Roszel Road; Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: (800) 221-4792
Fax: (609) 520-7990
Web: http://www.learningally.org

Who should be contacted if there are questions?

Membership services: custserv [at] learningally [dot] org

Based on the National Library Service regulations at 36 C.F.R. § 701.6(b), which student certification categories do you serve?

Blind
Visually Impaired
Physical Limitations
Reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction

Describe certification requirements and how these are verified and maintained.

Documented print disability signed by a competent authority as outlined in copyright law. To receive materials converted from NIMAS source files, K–12 students must have an IEP and be eligible under copyright law.

If a student qualifies, how is the student registered?

Register online at https://www.learningally.org/parents-students/sign-up/.

What types of memberships are available?

Individual student accounts
Institutional/organizational accounts

Describe your membership requirements:

Individual student accounts
Individual memberships for students or adults with a print disability.

Institutional/organizational accounts
Institutional membership program for schools or other institutions.

Do you require membership fees for individual student accounts?

Yes  No  Depends on circumstances
Annual subscription fee or hardship waiver application available.

Do you require membership fees for institutional/organizational accounts?

Yes  No  Depends on circumstances

We waive our institutional subscription fees for certain partner organizations and specialty schools.

What is the process to access these services?

Register for services, then order books. See Learning Ally FAQ for further details.

Please provide a link to your web site where step-by-step instructions on how to access your services are provided.

See Membership at https://www.learningally.org/parents-students/sign-up.

What services do you provide?

XML conversion
Original transcription
Downloads
Scanning
NIMAS file conversion
Other (please specify): Accessible audio recording services

Who can use these services?

Authorized users (AUs)
State education agencies (SEAs)
Local education agencies (LEAs)
Teachers
Parents
Other (please specifiy): Contact Learning Ally for eligibility requirements.

What specialized formats are available?

Braille

Embossed contracted braille
Embossed uncontracted braille
Electronic contracted braille
Electronic uncontracted braille
-.brf (braille-ready format) in conformance with BANA guidelines
-.brf (braille-ready format) other
Tactile graphics
Hard copy
Electronic
Other (please specify):

Large Print

Large print (over-sized textbook)
Font sizes (please specify):
Large print (standard-sized textbook)
Font sizes (please specify):

Audio

-.mp3
-.mp4
-.wav

DAISY 2002 HTML (digital talking book [DTB]) with—

Text
Images
Image descriptions
Human-voice audio
Pre-recorded synthetic audio
Other (please specify):

DAISY 2005 XML (digital talking book [DTB]) with—

Text
Images
Image descriptions
Human-voice audio
Pre-recorded synthetic audio
Other (please specify):

Digital text

-.pdf
-.rtf
Word
HTML
ePUB 2
ePUB 3
Other (please specify):

File formats accessible on mobile platforms

iOS
Android
Windows phone
Symbian
Blackberry OS
Other (please specify):

Are apps needed to use the files on mobile devices? If so, where are they acquired and what is the cost?

iOS playback requires an app that is available for free from the iTunes store.

Is assistive technology such as a computer, device, and/or software program needed to deliver the files to the student in a student-ready format? If so, please explain.

Content can be played back on Windows and Apple computers [sic] using DAISY software. Supported software lists are available on the Learning Ally web site.

Learning Ally also supports a large variety of DAISY personal hardware devices that will play CD versions of the content. These CDs can be ordered directly from Learning Ally and do not require a computer.

If assistive technology is needed, do you provide it? Is it provided with membership or for purchase?

Assistive technology software is provided automatically with membership. Learning Ally currently provides free PC or Mac software and a free iOS App to members. We also provide hardware playback options for purchase independent of membership.

What assistive technology from other sources might be needed?

Playback hardware or software is required to play Learning Ally audio books. Learning Ally provides free options as a part of its membership and additional playback options can be purchased from Learning Ally or other vendors.

How long will it take to get a specialized format after an order is placed?

DAISY audio book files are available for download: immediately; CD orders: typical shipping occurs within 7–10 days; NIMAS files: 7–10 days for conversion.

Do you have a digital rights management (DRM) system? What are your policies?

Yes. Learning Ally files are protected by DRM and are only available to our members who agree to our terms of service. Our books include copyright acknowledgement and copyright notices.

When the instructional materials are no longer needed by the student, do they need to be returned?

Books do not need to be returned, but CDs should be destroyed when no longer needed. Downloaded books will not be playable past membership period.

How will confidential information about students be protected?

Aggregated statistical information is public; no personally identifiable membership information is shared; FERPA compliant.