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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Training and Support

See also: RFB&D's Training & Support Center

Table of contents:

Using Audiobooks

Q: Where does someone use an RFB&D audiobook?

A: An individual that has been certified by an education professional as having a print disability can use RFB&D books just about anywhere. RFB&D offers several options for listening to audiobooks including downloadable books, desktop devices, portable players and computer software programs for both PCs and Macs. Visit RFB&D's online catalog to learn more about the playback devices.

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Q: How do I use my RFB&D books?

A: All books will start after the pin number prompt. If you do not know your pin number, it can be found on the top right hand corner of your BOOK packing slip. If you are a Braille reader, a card containing the pin number is inside the mailing container in which the CD was shipped. NOTE: All new RFB&D books on CD ordered after February 14, 2009 no longer have a pin number prompt. However, AudioPlus books on CD can still only be played on specialized playback devices. If you need additional support, you can also call our Member Services department at 800-221-4792, or you can e-mail Member Services at Custserv@rfbd.org.

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Q: I have students with learning disabilities using RFB&D's textbooks in my regular education classroom. How can I help them keep up with the rest of the students in my class?

A: Keep in mind that your student's learning disabilities, which may affect their ability to read well, do not necessarily interfere with their ability to listen and comprehend.

If you are at all uncomfortable yourself using the equipment, they'll feel uncomfortable too. Call RFB&D immediately for assistance and technical support so that you—and then your students—will become comfortable using the audiobooks and playback equipment. Once they see that they are able to keep up, participate in class discussions and talk about the readings with their friends, they won't see listening to the audiobooks as such a chore. RFB&D offers free web-based teacher training.

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Q: How can I keep the rest of my students from feeling that the students using audiobooks have an unfair advantage over everyone else?

A: Students in your class who don't have learning disabilities are not eligible to use RFB&D's audio textbooks, however, you can introduce the concept of RFB&D's books to all of the students in your class. When the whole class understands that some people require tools to accommodate special needs, those who don't need to use the audiobooks won't feel distracted or at a disadvantage when the recorded books are used.

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Q: I have a student who is so frustrated with books and reading that he refuses to do anything that has to do with reading at all. How can I get him to use audio textbooks if that means having to look at the book at the same time?

A: The first step of active listening is just listening. Perhaps you could find the student an audio book in a subject that he is interested in, such as sports, a hobby, or a piece of literature that he may enjoy, and just have him listen to it without following along in the book. When he is done, show him the actual book that he just completed. This will give the student the opportunity to experience finishing a book without any anxiety and will also promote a feeling of accomplishment when he sees how much of the book he was able to complete. Eventually, you can slowly phase in the printed version of the book along with the audio version. Our teacher resource website, Learning Through Listening, offers lesson plans that directly tie in with using RFB&D's audiobooks.

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Using Equipment

Q: Do you have accessible instructions for the audiobook players?

A: RFB&D offers instructions and training in a number of formats to meet the varying needs of our members.

RFB&D has produced an interactive Audiobook Training Tool CD which is included in new members' Welcome Packets.

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Q: How do I navigate a book with lettered pages?

A: Classic Plus
The "Go To Page" function cannot be used on books that contain lettered pages. The instructions below will guide you on how to best navigate these books.

Power up the Classic Plus and enter your PIN number. Select your level navigation using the number 2 or 8 key. You will repeatedly press this button until it says the level navigation you want. On one book, Level 1 may mean the player will navigate chapter by chapter, on another book it may mean Unit and not chapter.

The first thing to do is figure out what each level means for the book you are reading. You want to choose level 1 using the 2 or 8 buttons, and then use the 4 or 6 buttons to move forward or back by that level. Once you figure out how to navigate your specific book and you know what level 1, 2, 3 and so on means, the next step is pretty easy.

After you reach the part of the book you need, you would then go back to the 2 or 8 key and set the level navigation to say "PAGE." Once you do this, you will then be able to navigate page by page using the 4 or 6 within the section you choose.

Example:

If you wish to go to page D45:

  1. Set level navigation to navigate section by section so you can jump section/unit A, then B, then C, then D.
  2. After setting the level navigation, use the 6 key to jump forward to section/unit D.
  3. Once you reach section/unit D, you then press the 2 or 8 buttons until the player says "page."
  4. After setting the navigation to Page, you then would use the 6 key to move forward page by page in section/unit D, until you reach page D45.

Vibe
The "Go To Page" function cannot be used on books that contain lettered pages. The instructions below will guide you on how to best navigate these books.

Power up the Vibe and enter your PIN number. Select your level navigation using the number 9 key. You will repeatedly press this button until it says the level navigation you want. On one book, Level 1 may mean the player will navigate chapter by chapter, on another book it may mean Unit and not chapter.

The first thing to do is figure out what each level means for the book you are reading. You want to choose level 1 using the 9 button, and then use the 0 or # button to move forward or back by that level. Once you figure out how to navigate your specific book and you know what level 1, 2, 3 and so on means for you, the next step is pretty easy.

After you reach the part of the book you need, you would then use the 9 key and set the level navigation to say "PAGE." Once you do this, you will then be able to navigate page by page using the 0 or # within the section you choose.

Example:

If you wish to go to page D45:

  1. Set level navigation to navigate section by section so you can jump section/Unit A, then B, then C, then D.
  2. After setting the level navigation, use the # key to jump forward to section/unit D.
  3. Once you reach section/unit D, you then press the 9 button until the player says "page."
  4. After setting the navigation to Page, you then would use the # key to move forward page by page in section/unit D, until you reach page D45.

Wave
The "Go To Page" function cannot be used on books that contain lettered pages. The instructions below will guide you on how to best navigate these books.

Power up the Wave and enter your PIN number. Select your level navigation using the number 2 or 8 key. You will repeatedly press this button until it says the level navigation you want. On one book, Level 1 may mean the player will navigate chapter by chapter, on another book it may mean Unit and not chapter.

The first thing to do is figure out what each level means for the book you are reading. You want to choose level 1 using the 2 or 8 buttons, and then use the 4 or 6 buttons to move forward or back by that level. Once you figure out how to navigate your specific book and you know what level 1, 2, 3 and so on means, the next step is pretty easy.

After you reach the part of the book you need, you would then go back to the 2 or 8 key and set the level navigation to say "PAGE". Once you do this you will then be able to navigate page by page using the 4 or 6 within the section you choose.

Example:

If you wish to go to page D45:

  1. Set level navigation to navigate section by section so you can jump section/unit A, then B, then C, then D.
  2. After setting the level navigation, use the 6 key to jump forward to section/unit D.
  3. Once you reach section/unit D, you then press the 2 or 8 buttons until the player says "page."
  4. After setting the navigation to Page, you then would use the 6 key to move forward page by page in section/unit D, until you reach page D45.

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Implementing a Program

Q: How can I learn more about teaching students with disabilities?

A: Please visit our Teacher Training center for more information about how to use RFB&D audiobooks and equipment in the classroom, and attend a teacher training webinar to learn how to effectively use our books.

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Q: What are some techniques teachers can implement to help students with print disabilities?

A: There are countless strategies that help students with print disabilities, but there is not one strategy that will work on every single person. Below are some ideas that may benefit students with print disabilities:

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