Concepts, terminology
People with print disabilities are those who are unable to read standard print with ease, due to vision impairment, a physical disability or a learning disability.
"Accessible formats", also known as "alternative
formats", are formats other than print, in which information can be delivered to and accessed by people with print disabilities.
Accessible formats include:
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audio-cassette
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CD, telephone-based information services
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large print
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Braille
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electronic formats - disk, email, electronic databases, the internet
A range of adaptive equipment can also be employed to make material in non- accessible formats accessible. Equipment can be low or high-tech, and includes the following:
- magnifiers
- large monitors
- text enlarging software for VDUs
- synthesized voice output for computers
- Braille displays for computers
- scanners or optical character readers
- "reading machines" such as Kurzweil, Robotron
Accessibility is a consideration not only with library holdings - audio, large print, electronic books, periodicals and databases - but also with other information supplied by the library. This includes signage, talking lifts, handout information (flyers and publicity brochures), notice-boards, administrative forms (membership, reservation, acquisition request forms, library rules, opening hours and service descriptions), physical access to materials (Braille labelling to aid browsing, physical placement of collections and home library services) and catalogue access (large screen OPACs, talking screens and remote access).
An awareness of accessible formats and technological aids and their applications and limitations is an important feature in training public library staff in dealing with people with print disabilities.
"Having been a reader all my life, losing my sight was so difficult
until I discovered RVIB Library and Information Services. Now I can keep on reading".
Audio
G E N E R A L
Audio is the single most accessible format for all people with print disabilities. Audio is most commonly delivered through the medium of the cassette, but can also be delivered on record or compact disc. It can also be delivered via the telephone using either synthesised or human voice. Audio can also be delivered in the form of synthesised voice output on computers and
"reading machines". See Electronic in this section.
A P P L I C AT I O N S , A D V A N T A G E S,
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
Virtually all people with print disabilities are able to use audio materials, providing they are not also significantly hearing-impaired. People whose vision is insufficient to read even large print, people who have no Braille skills, and those who have no access to computers can all listen to audio tapes, still the most common manifestation of the audio medium.
The chief advantage of audio tapes is universal useability. The chief disadvantages are the difficulty in locating specific information on tapes, and the difficulty in updating audio information without completely re- recording the entire item. The next generation of audio materials is likely to be on CD, which will significantly improve the ability of the end user to randomly access desired portions of text. Digital recording methods are also making
"cutting and pasting" of information during recording a reality.
S O U R C E S
Audio tapes and CDs can be purchased from many commercial sources. The specialist libraries have large audio collections which are available to libraries through inter-library loan.
Production of in-house audio materials is usually beyond the scope of most public libraries. Specialist print disability libraries can provide the necessary recording and duplication advice and facilities. Provision of materials in accessible formats.
Audio is the single most accessible format for all
people with print disabilities.
S E L E C T I O N O F A U D I O M AT E R I A L S
When selecting audio materials for the library collection, take into account the following:
Degree of abridgement
Both abridged and unabridged audio products are available. A typical modern novel of about 300 pages would usually run to about eight to 10 hours of recording time, or about six to eight cassettes if produced unabridged.
Works are commonly abridged to make more marketable products in terms of both price and handling, so the typical novel of eight to 10 hours is often reduced to about three. It can be argued that this practice denies people with print disabilities access to the same information and literature that is available to the rest of the community.
Presence of audio announcements
Just as print readers like to know the name of the item they are reading, or what page or chapter they are up to, it is helpful for people with print disabilities when listening to audio tapes to be informed of the title of the tape and the number of the tape or side. Thus, titles which contain announcements such as
"This is the beginning of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte" and
"This is the beginning of tape 2 side 1 of Jane Eyre" are preferred.
Packaging
It is important that packaging is strong enough to withstand normal circulation routines, is easy to open and close, yet holds cassettes securely. Cassettes should be arranged logically within the packaging and be easy to remove and replace.
Labelling
Greater accessibility is provided when cassettes and packaging are labelled with easy-to-see large print and/or tactile labels. Information provided on labels should clearly identify authors, titles and cassette numbers. Special tactile number labels are commercially available, and specialist libraries can provide combined raised number/Braille labels for cassettes, and Braille labelling for packages.
Availability of replacement cassettes
Cassettes can be lost or damaged during their circulating life. It is important to ensure that replacement cassettes are available from the supplier, otherwise it will be necessary to re-purchase the entire title or to discard it altogether.
Narration quality
The reading, or narration, of the cassette should be pleasant to listen to, of an even pace and sympathetic with the content.
Sound quality
Sound quality should be consistent and there should be no extraneous or editing noises on the tapes.
Large print
G E N E R A L
Large print is only accessible to people who have sufficient vision to read it, and who do not have either a learning disability which interferes with the processing of printed information, or a physical disability which prevents them from holding or turning the pages of a book. Large print materials can come in the form of
publishers; large print editions of popular books or photo- enlarged or computer-generated large print information.
A P P L I C AT I O N S, A D V A N TAG E S,
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
Large print is relatively easy to produce and, in many cases such as the production of library forms, need not be a special alternative to standard print formats, but could replace it. It does not require any special technology or equipment to use and it is portable.
S O U R C E S
Commercial publishers of large print can provide a wide range of large print titles. The specialist libraries do not hold stocks of large print titles as mainstream public libraries themselves acquire them.
Production of large print materials can be performed by photo-enlarging existing works on any modern photocopier. Large print materials can also be computer-generated very easily using any word processing software package. See
"Guidelines for computer-generated large print production" listed in the Resource list.
S E L E C T I O N
The principles which underpin the "Guidelines for computer-generated large print
production" apply. Print quality should be even, legible, and with no print-through. Page layout should be uncluttered and clear and non-serif fonts should be used.
Braille
G E N E R A L
Braille is a specialist reading and writing system developed for the blind and deaf- blind. The number of Braille readers is relatively small and production of Braille materials is sufficiently specialised that the specialist libraries are best able to cater for this need.
A P P L I C A T I O N S, A D V A N T A G E S,
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
Braille has many advantages for those who can read it. It is portable, writeable as well as readable promotes literacy by exposing readers to the written rather than spoken word.
S O U R C E S
Braille material is available from specialist libraries and Braille producers.
S E L E C T I O N
Selection considerations include labelling, grade of Braille and physical condition of the Braille.
Electronic
G E N E R A L
More and more information is being provided in electronic formats. This can include computer disk, bulletin boards, email, the Internet and online and CD- ROM databases. Many people with print disabilities have the technology and skills to exploit this increasingly rich source of information. The number of people able to use electronic material is increasing rapidly, as is the amount of material available in this form.
A P P L I C AT I O N S, A D V A N T A G E S,
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
Advantages include speed, currency, editability, searchability, ease of storage and transmission and avoidance of the need for alternative formatting. Most new information nowadays is produced in electronic format prior to being printed.
S O U R C E S
CD-ROM databases of public domain titles, the Internet (e-text sites, documents), libraries themselves government and other organisations (forms, flyers and other materials developed in-house on computers) can be supplied on disk to people with print disabilities. Any organisation which uses computers to produce information is a potential source of electronic information for people with print disabilities.
S E L E C T I O N
Electronic documents should be formatted in such a way that they are able to be accessed easily by people with print disabilities. Separate guidelines are available on this topic - see the Resource List for details.
ASCII format is a universally readable format which virtually all computer users can use.
Any organisation which uses computers to produce information is a potential source of electronic
information for people with print disabilities.
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Print Disability