According to the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), a completely “accessible" book or reading material is one which offers the maximum flexibility of user experience for all readers and allows the content to be accessed and manipulated with ease by those with or without disabilities. For books it means offering the content of a book in multiple formats, in print, large print, e-Book, ePub, audio, and Braille, preferably in embossed and electronic formats.
ABC Consortium best practice guidelines for publishers - https://www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/publishing/en/accessible_best_practice_guidelines_for_publishers.html
The technology used to convey accessible books must also be accessible. When we speak of accessibility in reading technology we tie it back to the Digital Accessible Information System standards also known as DAISY. These are accessibility standards in place to ensure equal and level access to information systems of all kinds, both online and in in-person technology. By employing DAISY you can offer the user a way to read a book in the most accessible way based on their own ability and needs.
With full implementation of DAISY, you could present a book far beyond the limits imposed on standard print or audio books. A DAISY format books that utilizes all of it's potential, can include not just the audio rendition of the work, but also the full textual content and images. Because the textual content file is synchronized with the audio file, it offers multiple sensory inputs to readers, for example who are learning-disabled. In another case, some visually impaired readers may choose to listen to most of the book, but then may want to see the images provided also as part of the narrative flow. Others may opt to skip the audio presentation altogether and instead view a text version of the file using screen-enlarging software. A braille reader may prefer to read some or all of the document via a refreshable Braille display device connected to their computer by accessing the textual content file. Full DAISY books containing a textual content file but no audio material might be accessed via synthetic speech, screen-enlarging software, or a Braille device.
For reading audio books you are looking for the ability to change how audio is provided to meet the user's specific disability issues. Things like the tone of voice and adjusting speed in small increments while being able to have voice sound non-distorted help benefit the reading experience. Consistent controls and the use of navigation levels are essential for having the reading experience be level and equal for all.
One example of the contrast between a DAISY and non-DAISY mobile reading app can be found in comparing the Audible iPhone App display versus the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Downloading app, known as BARD. BARD is designed to a DAISY standard to be more accessible than the Audible app in how it provides a greater level of control for changing the tone of the voice and changing the speed of the speaker's voice in very small and defined increments without distortion. One other important distinction is that the BARD Mobile app provides the reader with the ability to navigate audio books the same as a printed book. It’s also designed specifically to work with Voice Over and other mobile assistive technology. As a bonus BARD also works with e-Braille, where Audible was never designed with braille in mind.
For eBooks the ability to change the text-size, the font style (serif vs. san-serif)., the background color and contrast of text, are all features that help make existing eBooks more accessible. Using DAISY standards to change the appearance of text ensures that if a user needs these functions they are available so they read in the way that works best for them.
Here are some ways to test the accessibility of your online collections:
For readers who prefer to download their own books, there are options available for those who can't read regular print. These include paid and free options.
Free access for qualified students for curriculum-aligned materials:
Free download service for National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) patrons.
For readers who enjoy paper-based printed materials but have print reading impairment, you have a couple of options for these kinds of reading materials. This is where Large Print and Braille materials offer a more accessible reading experience to all patrons. For each format there are ways to add them to a library's collection.
For large print books there are publishers who specialize in offering these materials. The big 3 publishers of large print books and reading materials are:
Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) is also a resource for providing large print books to libraries across North Carolina.
For braille print books there are publishers who specialize in offering these materials. The big 3 publishers of large print books and reading materials are:
Making your documents and other ephemera into braille materials requires someone to perform a process known a braille embossing. For this task, in North Carolina, there are a couple of good options for getting braille versions of your materials:
Corrections Enterprises - https://www.correctionenterprises.com/forms/BRAILLE%20TRANSCRIPTION%20SERVICES.pdf
Correction Enterprises produces braille transcriptions for different forms of literature:
In addition to braille transcription, they also offer binding services as well.
Metrolina Association for the Blind - https://www.mabnc.org/accessible-document-services/braille-large-print-audio-cd-services
Metrolina Association for the Blind works with clients to find cost effective solutions for their accessible documentation needs. Formats available:
There are accessible resources for reading materials beyond books and magazines. These are useful resources for descriptive videos, all kinds of news publications and other ephemera.
One of the most popular forms of accessible media is the descriptive video. Descriptive or described video contains a descriptive audio track that describes aspects of the video that are purely visual and not accessible to blind or visually-impaired people. Here are 2 examples of descriptive videos: