Accessibility at NSW CLIC

The prospect of yet another emerging technology often raises the question as to whether it makes a difference. The following, however, presents a compelling case for being excited about a relatively new technology.

The importance of enhancing literacy skills in students generally is well recognised. For students who have visual reading difficulties, the need is even greater and the task more demanding. In this context, DAISY books have a great deal to offer. Importantly, the technology is now in reach of schools, both in terms of cost and usability.

What is DAISY?

DAISY is Digital Access Information System. A thorough discussion of the concept and associated technologies is available from the DAISY Consortium website at http://www.daisy.org (opens in a new window). A brief overview is that text, graphics and audio can be synchronised. DAISY is a 21st century replacement for analogue talking books, which were primarily developed to meet needs of people with significant vision impairment. But DAISY was always intended to meet needs of a wider readership and is relevant to anyone who has visual reading difficulties.

Unlike analogue talking books, an important feature of DAISY books is easy and rapid navigation. A book can be navigated by such elements as sentence, paragraph, page (including specific page numbers) and various heading levels. It is also possible to fast forward or rewind and to jump back and forth by time increments when using the audio component. Depending on the playback equipment being used, a book can be searched for specific words. The user can also place Bookmarks at relevant points and jump to them easily.

Creating a DAISY book

As with analogue talking books, it was initially necessary for a human reader to narrate DAISY books and this remains an option. In that case, it is necessary, either during or subsequent to the narration, to provide coding that indexes the book. It is this coding that allows the ready navigational features discussed above.

Recently, software has become available that can produce a DAISY book automatically. One example is Easy Producer from Dolphin (http://www.yourdolphin.com). When installed the Easy Producer software adds an item to the Microsoft Word menu. A DAISY book can then be created from a properly structured Microsoft Word file quickly and easily. The book can be produced with audio via high-quality synthetic speech or as text only. Text size and colour are selectable. A comprehensive review of Easy Producer is available.

The “properly constructed” Microsoft Word file reference deserves clarification. To allow the conversion software to structure the DAISY book, formal Microsoft Word styles must be used. Chapter headings and subheadings should be in Microsoft Word heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc). That is, it is not sufficient to adjust text appearance without applying a heading style. Similarly, a table of contents should be in the TOC style.

Production of DAISY material was formerly the domain of specialist agencies. More recently, availability of tools that automate the process has done much to put DAISY creation into the hands of those directly responsible for providing educational resources. In turn, students who will benefit from the resource can have more immediate access to it.

Reading DAISY books

Books produced in the DAISY format must be read on equipment made for that purpose. Options include regular computers hosting DAISY reading software, CD-based units and MP3-like players. Each of these has benefits and drawbacks, summarised below. A common feature, however, is that speed of the audio can be adjusted to meet individual needs and circumstances without changing the pitch of the voice.

Computer Software

screen shot of the Easy Reader interface, revealing a wide variety of options

Until recently, this was the only option for presenting synchronised visual and audio information. Text search facilities are typically included. Text size and colour are adjustable and phrases being spoken can be highlighted on the screen. DAISY reading software can therefore be especially helpful to people who have reading difficulties for reasons other than vision loss. On the other hand, those with vision loss may find the software less nimble than dedicated DAISY players. Nor do computers have instant on/off capabilities. In terms of portability, even a notebook computer is bulkier than dedicated DAISY players.

CD-Based DAISY Players

Examples vary in size and facilities. Common features include ability to play DAISY books, standard audio CDs and MP3 CDs. Some augment audible information with a visual display for showing status information and section headings. These products are especially suitable for people who do not require access to text and graphics. Controls are also uncomplicated and no computer knowledge on the part of the reader is necessary.

DAISY/MP3 Players

The Victor Stream held in a hand showing buttons on the front. The user's thumb is on the side of the unit, pressing the on/off button.

Victor Stream

See the post on the Victor Stream and a comparison summary between it and a similar product, the Book Port. This group of products uses storage media such as SD (secure digital) cards. Material can be transferred to the unit via a USB cable or by putting the storage card into a card reader connected to the computer. As well as playing DAISY and MP3 files, these products can be used as digital voice recorders. In-built synthetic speech also allows reading of text, RTF and HTML files. Attractions include a high degree of portability and versatility. A potential disadvantage is that some computer knowledge is required to transfer material to the unit. Nor, in most cases, is a visual display provided.

ClassMate Reader

A portable device that includes a screen is the ClassMate Reader from Humanware. It is designed specifically for people who have reading difficulties and includes a visual display that incorporates a touch screen. A

Image of ClassMate standing on a desk. Its rear-mounted fold-out stand is extended, so the screen is angled somewhat backwards from vertical.

dictionary with visual and auditory output is also provided. In addition, several personal digital assistants made specifically for use by blind people include software for reading DAISY books.

DAISY Book availability

Copyright restrictions mean that much DAISY material produced around the world is not available in Australia. Resources from Vision Australia and, in part, from Bookshare.org are available here.

Among other formats, Vision Australia’s Library offers books in the DAISY format. People eligible for their service include those with severe visual deficits, physical disabilities that preclude holding or manipulating a conventional book and perceptual disabilities. A DAISY player is provided and material is delivered by post.

Vision Australia’s website is at http://www.visionaustralia.org.au (opens in new window). The Library can be contacted by phone on 1300 650-4656.

Bookshare.org is a not for profit American organisation that provides access to books in a variety of alternate formats, including DAISY. Due to copyright restrictions, not all of their material can be supplied outside the USA, but many thousands of titles are available. Membership is available to individuals, schools and groups. For more information on resources that are available and cost structure, visit the website at http://www.bookshare.org (opens in new window).

While still not commonplace, there is an increasing trend for books to be published in both electronic and paper formats. As technology evolves and equipment becomes more readily available, there is every likelihood that the DAISY format will be implemented by commercial publishers.

Meanwhile, the facilities discussed above make it viable for educational organisations to convert material that is in an electronic format into DAISY books. If a book is not available electronically, subject to copyright issues, it can be converted via a scanner and optical character recognition software. Depending on a number of factors such as print quality and formatting, this process can range from relatively painless to severely tedious. Even in a best case scenario, proofreading will be necessary. If not accomplished during the conversion process, relevant styles will have to be applied to a file prior to DAISY production.

Conclusion

The increasingly widespread availability of reading material in electronic formats is doing much to improve educational opportunities for a broad range of people. Information which was formerly unavailable or, at best, required lengthy adaptation, can now often be supplied to students with visual reading difficulties at the same time as it is received by their peers.

Provision of material in DAISY format further enhances accessibility. People who have difficulty with conventional books for any of a wide variety of reasons can benefit from DAISY books. Depending on equipment being used, information can be available in any combination of text, images and audio. Text size and colour and speed of speech can all be tailored to meet individual preference and circumstances. Text can be read visually or in Braille via an electronic Braille display.

The relatively recent emergence of software that produces DAISY books from Microsoft Word files means that DAISY production is not limited to specialist organisations. This is significant in educational settings, where information is often required by students at short notice.

As exciting as this technology is, its potential will be nullified if it is not readily available. It is therefore important that staff recognise its potential and, where necessary, advocate for its provision.

This article by Andrew Downie was originally printed in Scan Vol 27, Number 3, August 2008. Thanks is extended to the Editor of Scan for agreeing to reproduction of the article on this site.