PowerPoint Presentation

Adaptive Technology and EbooksEbooks Symposium! The Current State of the Art in LibrariesMarch 18, 2016Margaret WilliamsDirector, Content and Access

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Centre for Equitable Library AccessNational not-for-profit organization run by public libraries for public librariesAccess to extensive collections of alternate formats for public library patrons with print disabilities and support for library staffMore than 600 member librariesFunded by participating CULC libraries, participating provincial governments, CNIB

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Todays SessionAre ebooks accessible?Understand what accessible meansKnow the questions to ask someoneBe aware of potential barriersRefer people to appropriate options

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Are ebooks accessible?Ebooks are digitalDigital makes things possibleNot all things digital are accessibleAccessible isnt easily definedAn ebook might be accessible but discovery and delivery are not

Yes and noDigital information and technology such as ebooks and adaptive reading devices make things possibleOnce information is digital you can do far more with it to adapt it to your needsBut they have also introduced new barriers

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What is a print disability?A visual, physical or learning disability that makes it difficult to impossible for a person to read conventional print

Yes and noDigital information and technology such as ebooks and adaptive reading devices make things possibleOnce information is digital you can do far more with it to adapt it to your needsBut they have also introduced new barriers

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Disability typesVisualLow vision, blindPhysicalStroke, cerebral palsyLearningDyslexiaOver 3 million Canadians have a print disability.I know someone. Do you?

Yes and noDigital information and technology such as ebooks and adaptive reading devices make things possibleOnce information is digital you can do far more with it to adapt it to your needsBut they have also introduced new barriers

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How do you make reading accessible?Adapt the format of the content so you can read it with technology

Yes and noDigital information and technology such as ebooks and adaptive reading devices make things possibleOnce information is digital you can do far more with it to adapt it to your needsBut they have also introduced new barriers

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A matter of choiceSpecific nature of a person's disabilityPurpose of readingPersons skillsIndividual preferencesOne size does not fit all. One size fits none.

A matter of choiceSpecific nature of a person's disabilityPurpose of readingPersons skillsIndividual preferencesOne size does not fit all.One size fits NONE

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Physical disability

DifficultiesHolding materialsTurning pagesAdaptationsLook without holdingUse simple gestures with a touch screen or a single gesture to activate a switchConvert to speech and listen

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$8000 page turner vs $500 iPadThis is what digital makes possibleYouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9REfOCGJw4

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Visual disability

DifficultiesSeeing text or images in full or partFocusing or moving your eyesAdaptationsZoom inChange contrastHighlight as you goConvert to speech and listenConvert to tactile (braille)

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Enlarged text on ereader

Mainstream devices and apps have accessibility features but sometimes specialized technology is required

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DAISY player

Digital text can be read on a device that converts text to speech.

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Refreshable braille display

Digital text and illustrations can be output in tactile formats, including braille and raised line diagrams.

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Learning disability

DifficultiesComprehending textDyslexia decoding letter combinations, recognizing common wordsInterpreting visual information h or n?AdaptationsChange font and spacingHighlight phonemes, words or sentences as you goConvert to speech and listen

DifficultiesComprehending textDyslexia decoding letter combinations, recognizing common wordsInterpreting visual information h or n?AdaptationsDyslexia decoding letter combinations, recognizing common wordsInterpreting visual information h or n?Comprehending textDyslexia decoding letter combinations, recognizing common wordsInterpreting visual information h or n?

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Literacy support softwareDigital text can be highlighted as you read, converted to speech and used to support dictionary look ups, word prediction, etc

Literacy support softwareDigital text can be highlighted as you read, converted to speech and used to support dictionary look ups, word prediction, etc16

Barriers to ebook accessibilityDRM Scanned images not textScanning errorsInadequate navigationConfusing reading order Missing information endnotes, illustrations

Discovery and deliveryIs an ebook accessible if you dont know about it or cant get it if you do?Search/download interfaces not accessibleMany interfaces to learnNot everyone is onlineCan you do it without help?

What CELA offers360,000 books, newspapers and magazinesE-text, braille and audioOptions for everyoneDownload with(out) a computerCD by mail or at your local library

More information and sign up at celalibrary.ca!

Learn moreMaking reading accessiblecelalibrary.ca/makingreadingaccessibleHow to talk to your patrons (video)https://youtu.be/1mmMCRyr9nw Educator Access Programcelalibrary.ca/educators

ContactMargaret WilliamsDirector, Content and Accessmargaret.williams@celalibrary.ca416-486-2500 ext 7632

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