Curriculum Access: Materials in Alternative Format (Audio, Braille, Etext, Large Print)

For features of electronic text and audio files, click here.

• books can be transported or stored on CD, DVD, flashdrive, laptop, desktop, personal data assistant, mp3 player, note taker etc etc
• etexts files are more portable than several volumes of large print or braille and can be stored and accessed via suitable access technology
• appropriate print size can be selected
• contrast can be optimised
• text books are increasingly available in pdf format – this format preserves the layout, full colour photographs and diagrams of the original print book and may be accessible via enlarging and voice output software
• using screen-reading software (eg JAWS, Window Eyes), auditory output on notetakers (eg BrailleNote, PAC Mate) or the computer's voice output options, the text can be read aloud using voice
• using a refreshable braille display, the text can be read in braille
• some files on the internet are already formatted for braille production or refreshable braille display
• some files on the internet are formatted for personal data assistants, MP3 players, DAISY players etc
• selected sections of large files can be produced in hard copy – print, large print, braille etc
• correct spelling of words may be available
• the computer’s Dictionary and Thesaurus can be used to look up the meaning of words
• the Search/Find facility can be used to search for page, chapter, word, quote etc
• quotes from the book can be Cut and Pasted into an essay or other document
• audio files (eg wav files) can be converted into MP3 format – MP3 files are much smaller so that up to 18 hours of narration will fit on one CD
• some materials are being produced in specialised formats eg DAISY and with a suitable player or computer software the text can be read in print and via natural voice or digital speech simultaneously
• downloading etext is quick compared to production of the text in braille or large print
• etexts from selected websites are available free of charge eg public domain titles
• stand-alone hand-held devices are being developed to allow storage of and access to etext
• people with vision impairments can more easily own a book collection
• some publishers and book sellers (eg Amazon.com, Heinemann, Jacaranda) are selling texts and novels in etext format