E-text: What's it all about? Access to Alternate Format

E-text is a generic term that applies to many types of alternate format materials. Digital classroom materials for students with disabilities have almost completey overtaken "books on tape". With the advent of good optical character recognition (ocr) programs, mp3 formats, advanced text to speech voice engines, and the new DAISY digital talking books, getting textbooks in alternate format is easier and the alternates work better for students. Qualified students with print disabilities will often only rely on the Office of Disabled Students to get their electronic texts for them, but now more alternatives are available as well. For textbooks, outside reading or for further research having more alternatives makes education more accessible to all.

Publishers

Start with checking with the publishers of the books needed. Publishers are becoming more responsive but it may take several attempts at contacting before you get results. Some publishers will require FAXed comfirmation of the student's disability, others may require other methods of confirmation. Book material can be provided in a variety of formats, varying in their usefulness.

Know what type of files can be used and in what situations those are useful. Now what can be transformed to be useful as well.

Association of American Publishers

Higher Education Publishing (http://www.publishers.org/highered/index.cfm)

Offers resources and contact list of publishers that includes information on subsidiary publishing companies as well as main publishing houses. List provided courtesy of the High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges.

Digital Policy / Ebook Project (http://www.publishers.org/digital/index.cfm)

The latest developments in Ebooks.

Alternate Media Libraries

These libraries have many books already in alternate format .They include traditional suppliers such as RFB&D as well as many new resources. Look for new formats, such as DAISY (which is bookmarkable and searchable), in additional to the traditional text, HTML, Braille, and audio.

RFB&D (http://www.rfbd.org/)

Institutional Memberships are available. Find titles through the website or inquire by phone (800-221-4792.)

RFB&D's DAISY formats are AudioPlus and RFB&D's AudioPlus Text™. RFB&D's AudioPlus, which is now available to RFB&D members, combines the digitally recorded textbook with embedded information about the book's structure for navigation - a digital "table of contents" - to enable you to navigate more easily through the book's different parts.

RFB&D's AudioPlus Text, which will debut in the future, will contain the audio recording, the digital table of contents and the book's full text synchronized with the audio. In practical terms, RFB&D members who have a learning disability may want to see the text displayed while listening to the audio.

RFB&D will continue to provide books on four-track cassettes, now known as RFB&D's Classic Cassettes™, as long as there is sufficient demand for them.

RFB&D also sells the DAISY software and hardware players: purchase these from them if you will need to playback RFB&D's AudioPlus books, because they are equipped to enter the PIN numbers to open RFB&D's books.

AMX Database (http://www.amxdb.net/)

Managed by the High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges, participation in the AMX Database is based on reciprocity - educational institutions must agree to the "terms of use" before using the system. The AMX database is intended to reduce the workload of colleges and universities producing materials in alternate formats and provide enhanced access to instructional materials in alternate formats for use by students with verified print disabilities. The AMX Database is available to the California Community Colleges and other institutions of higher education within the United States. The database contains information about what type of alternate formats are available and contact information for how to obtain the book. You may also want to consider joining the

Bookshare.org (http://www.bookshare.org/)

Bookshare.org offers two ways for your school or group to provide books to students. Your institution can manage full access accounts for students to self-mange or can purchase a pre-set number of books to download and deliver directly to the qualified students or other individuals signed up under the Account.

Books and periodicals from Bookshare.org contain the full text of the publication (not pre-recorded audio) that can be read with the adaptive technology of the reader's choice. A talking software application (Victorsoft Daisy Reader) is included with membership, providing members with one option for reading the books. The publications are also available in contracted digital Braille.

LOUIS (http://sun1.aph.org/starweb/APHBLLouis/servlet.starweb?path=APHBLLouis/Louis.web)

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) currently houses a database called the Louis Database of Accessible Materials for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Louis contains information about tens of thousands of titles of accessible materials, including Braille, large print, sound recordings, and computer files from over 170 agencies throughout the United States.

You can access Louis in multiple ways, through the webpage or call, e-mail, or fax the information to be searched.
Phone: 800-223-1839
E-mail: resource@aph.org
Fax: 502-899-2363

APH Resource Services will be happy to assist you in your search! To help facilitate your request, please have the ISBN, title, author, publisher and copyright year of the titles you are seeking. If you are looking for a test, please have the level and form. Please use fax or e-mail if you are looking for over five titles.

Listings of Alternate Media Resources

Convenient listings of places to look for alternate format sources.

Boston University (http://www.bu.edu/disability/resources/alternative.html)

Assistive Technology Resource Center at Colorado State (http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/alt_text.htm)

High Tech Center Training Unit (HTCTU) of the California Community Colleges (http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/divisions/altmedia/FAQs/sources.htm)

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired- Downloadable Braille Materials (http://www.tsbvi.edu/braille/index.htm)

Outsourcing Alternate Textbook Production

A costly, yet sometimes necessary alternative, that is especially useful if producing your own version would be difficult due to the content of the book or time constrictions. Consider outsourcing for math and science if you are new to e-text production.

American Printing House for the Blind

Custom Production Services (http://www.aph.org/custom/index.html )

Accessible Textbooks Department (http://www.aph.org/atic/index.html)

Braille Jymico Inc. (http://www.braillejymico.com/menu.htm)

Can produce scientific Braille (Nemeth code), tactile graphics, literary, or music Braille production.

Bookshare.org's BrailleBooks (http://www.bookshare.org/web/AboutBrailleBooks.html)

Embossed Braille books from the Bookshare.org collection are available through Bookshare.org in partnership with the Braille Press of Braille Institute of America.

Computers to Help People, Inc. (http://www.chpi.org/)

Computers to Help People, Inc. (CHPI) is a private, nonprofit organization. Their mission is to apply computer technology to the problems of people with disabilities, especially to increasing their employability and productivity. They provide books on science and math in Braille and e-text on a worldwide basis.

Goodfeel's Braille Music Transcription Service (http://www.dancingdots.com/transcription.htm)

Send your print score, Lime, MusicXML or MIDI file. Dancing Dots will use GOODFEEL to convert these files to music braille.

National Braille Press (http://www.nbp.org/)

NBP is a nonprofit Braille printing and publishing house established in 1927 and is one of the world's leading producers of Braille.

Quikscrybe, Inc (http://www.quikscrybe.com/ )

Can produce materials either from hard-copy print or from files produced in a variety of word-processing formats, including WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and ASCII text files. Quikscrybe does not transcribe math, languages or musical notation.

Other recommendations from the group?

Creating Alternate Format through E-text

The Plan: What You Will Need

See the software and hardware recommendations below for more details. Plan to have policies and personnel in place before you begin your process. This section is intended to help you understand what factors may need to be considered.

Document to be transformed

The material that the student needs as E-text. Remember to consider all the options before recreating documents. If the document has come from a professor, it is likely that they have it in some electronic format already. PDF (portable document format) sometimes is only available as an image, (PDF can also contain real text.). If document is an image-based PDF, then it generally would not need to be rescanned.

Scanner

A scanner with a document feeder allows processing of multiple pages at a time. Most high-speed scanners are already equpped with document feeders, but these can be purchased for some flatbed scanners such as the Epson. This makes scanning more efficient and faster.

Using the native scanning software allows more flexibility when dealing with thin pages, colored backgrounds, unusual fonts, and other such issues that can create scanning problems.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program.

This will be the program that is doing the majority of the work. You may use a standalone product, or a component of an assistive technology learning support program, depending upon the way the e-text will be used by the student. Most of the assistive technology programs support more than one type of recognition engine. If the recognition is poor, try using another engine.

Template or plan for how document should be named and organized.

Establishing a logical convention for naming symplifies general usability of the end documents. If naming chapters beginning with the chapter number, remember to use 01-09 for the first nine chapters so the computer will sort them in proper numeric order. Chapters may be organinized into folders.

Editing.

The editing process to create Braille is the most fussy of the output formats. Many people take the document into MS Word to use spell checking in this program.

Plan for output options and long range storage.

Determine the types of files that are most useful to the most students, and plan to save the same document in multiple ways so it does not have to be recreated, but also keep the original TIFFs so that it can be recreated if necessary.

Plan for delivering to students.

By having a plan in place when the request is made, the student will know how they are to get their e-text. Consider the use of a USB key, a burnable or rewritable CD, an iPod, or other device if that is their preference. Have a policy and make sure it is posted.

The Process: What you need to do

1. Receive a student request with verification of book ownership and desired output type.
   (see HTCTU Alternate Media Sample Policy Documents and Request Forms (http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/divisions/altmedia/ab422/documents.htm) for example).
2. Prepare book by chopping off spine, and splitting into three sections: front material, body, and end material.
   (Check with local copy shops or library for guillotine paper cutter.)
3. Scan book to multi page tiff format
   (If your center does not have the equipment to complete this process, check with local copy or photo shops. )
4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) of the material. You will check structure and reading order. Check the pages for true replication of the actual book's content.
   (This process often be automated - see Indiana University's OCR Rocket (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/resources/tools/ocr-rocket/index.html) for processing TIFF to Kursweil.)
5. Edit the text. Proofread, and spell check the book.
   (Your center can determine how much time is spent on this labor intensive step. This varies between institutions, and may be determined by the student's needs, as well as by long term plans for the material.Editing for Braille is most labor intensive.)
6. Send to chosen format (s) .
   (Common formats would include Word doc or RTF, PDF and HTML as well as assistive technology learning support formats.)
7. Archive the project.
   (TIFF should be saved: can be sent to other formats as needed. Use archive quality DVDs to store materials.TIFF files are large.)
8. Label and Deliver to student. Include label on CD label and as a .txt file on the CD
   (Label with a "fair use" disclaimer e.g. The specialized format of [book name, copyright owner, copyright date] was created for a person with disabilities, and any further reproduction or redistribution is an infringement of the copyright law.)

Software to do the tasks

Scanning utilities

These are the tools that generally are provided with the scanners. What they do is take the pictures of the text, and store them in multipage TIFF format, so that an entire chapter can be stored in one file. The pictures then need to be turned into actual letters and numbers.
CanoScan Utility 5000 - comes with Canon High Speed Scanners (see Canon below in hardware section).
Fujitsu Scanning Utility (Canadian Fujitsu site has more driver support for older models and computers)(see Fujitsu below in hardware section.)

Scanning terms to be familiar with:

DPI (dots per inch)

The resolution at which your scanner is taking the picture of the text. Generally, scan in black and white, at 300 dpi, for good text replication.

Mode

Black and white, grayscale, or color scanning. Use black and white for text, grayscale to retain non-color images, and color if you need to retain all the images in their original color form. Color also allows color dropout, which can improve scanning of some materials.

Duplex vs. Simplex

Duplex is double-sided scanning, obtaining both sides of the document in one scan. Simplex scans one-side at time.

TIFF ( Tagged Image File Format)

A graphic file format that supports multiple pages of scanned material to be included in one file. Black and white, and grayscale scanning generally creates TIFF files.

JPEG, or JPG ( Joint Photographic Experts Group)

A graphic file format that uses compression to create rules for color display. Scanning in color usually defaults to JPEG format.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software

These are the tools that turn the pictures into actual text that it can then be edited, and turned into the type of document that you want. Some OCR tools are integrated into assistive technology programs such as Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, or WYNN and OpenBook. Of the two powerful software options listed here, ABBYY FineReader Pro is generally considered to be more user friendly, while Omnipage Pro offers greater power and more flexibility for difficult recognition jobs.

ABBYY FineReader 8.0 Professional Edition

ABBYY USA
Phone: +1 510 226 6717 Fax: +1 510 226 6069 Address: 47221 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, California 94538, USA
web: http://www.abbyyusa.com/
$399.00

ABBYY FineReader 8.0 Professional Edition is an easy to learn, easy to use, OCR application. FineReader OCR allows you to convert and edit a variety of paper documents and electronic files, including PDF files and scanned pages of books, magazines, newspapers, legal documents, contracts, faxes, letters, brochures, etc. Upgrade from ABBYY Sprint (comes free with some scanners) for $179.00.

OmniPage Professional 15

Worldwide Headquarters
1 Wayside Road Burlington, MA 01803 USA
Tel: 781-565-5000 Fax: 781-565-5001
web: http://nuance.com/omnipage/professional/
$499.99

Precision OCR analysis, advanced layout detection, Logical Form Recognition™ (LFR) technology, and advanced security features quickly turn office documents and forms into over 30 different PC applications for editing, searching and sharing. Custom workflows handle large volumes of documents. Upgrades from Microsoft Office XP Document Imaging cost $150.

Learning Support Software

The software uses a multi-sensory approach to presenting print or electronic text on the computer screen with added visual and auditory accessibility. It incorporates a host of dynamic features, including powerful decoding, study skills and test taking tools, designed to adapt to each individual's learning style and promote active learning. For students who have difficulty physically accessing curriculum materials, it provides a digital means of engaging with text and supports students who use alternative methods for accessing the computer.

Most of these programs require a proprietary format file (.kes, .wyn or .ark), that they can create when they run the OCR process. Most can create multiple types of output, such as MP3, .doc, and .txt. Some have built-in DAISY readers. Both Kurzweil and Freedom Scientific's learning support product lines are quite similar. TextHelp's Read & Write is a toolbar interface designed to work with Microsoft products such as Internet Explorer and Word.

Kurzweil 1000

web: Kurzweil Educational Systems (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k1000.asp)
Kurzweil 1000 $995

Kurzweil 1000 is scanning/reading software that makes printed or electronic text accessible to blind and low vision people. The application turns text into synthesized speech and users can bookmark, make notes, skim or summarize text to aid mastery of concepts and details. They can edit or create documents assisted by an audible dictionary, thesaurus or prioritized spell checker, and archive them using a simple file management dialog.

Kurzweil 1000 also retrieves information online with features that simplify locating electronic books and magazines, and even encyclopedia articles from the Web. In addition, it takes reading on the road by sharing electronic information with MP3 players, portable note taking devices, Braille printers and conventional e-mail applications.

Kurzweil 3000

web:Kurzweil Educational Systems (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000win.asp)
Single LearnStation $395 (no scanning)
Single Professional Black/White $1,095
Single Professional Color $1,495

Kurzweil 3000 is a scanning/reading program that enables conversion of print to electronic text which can be read to the user. It offers reading, writing and learning solution for individuals with learning difficulties like dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and other literacy difficulties.The program also offers a variety of study skills tools to make learning easy. Currently, Kurzweil 3000 version 8 runs under Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME , XP, and NT (Service Pack 6).

Read & Write

Texthelp Systems, Inc.
545 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116-3697
Toll free phone: 888-248-0652
Toll free fax: 866-248-0652

web: http://www.texthelp.com

Read&Write 8 GOLD Single User $645
Read&Write 8 Single User $365 (no scanning)
Read&Write GOLD for Mac $645

Read&Write 8 is a discreet, integrated solution for any users literacy needs, offering outstanding literacy support to all. There is a version for MAC, as well as two versions for the PC.

It has been designed as a ‘floating’ toolbar that will help improve reading & writing skills, with features such as speech feedback, phonetic spell checking, word prediction & homophone support to cover every aspect of the learning spectrum. It includes a DAISY reader, an MP3 output option and a voice input option. The Fact Folder/Fact Finder tools offer unique research support.

PDFAloud_free version available for download (compatible with older versions of Adobe Reader).

PDFAloud, also from TextHelp, is designed to read aloud PDF text based material. Adobe Reader now has its own Speech Output interface making this tool somewhat obsolete. Initial testing shows that PDF Aloud is not compatible with Adobe Reader 7.0.

OpenBook 7.0

Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
1-888-223-3344

web: http:// www.FreedomScientific.com

Works with all Windows operating systems including XP: $995

OpenBook allows full reading/scanning support, as well as offering multiple study support tools. The new fax capability lets you send and receive faxes using your PC's modem. You can also use OpenBook to create photocopies of printed documents. The Launch Manager lets you easily export OpenBook documents to other applications like Microsoft Word or Notepad. You can also import documents from other applications so you can read and work with them in OpenBook. Will play back DAISY books and create Braille documents to emboss.

WYNN (What You Need Now)

Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
1-888-223-3344 www.FreedomScientific.com

WYNN Wizard per license: US$995
WYNN Reader per license: US$425

WYNN Wizard is scanning and reading software. It includes optical character recognition (OCR), the ability to scan printed pages and convert them into electronic text. Speech synthesis enables this scanned text to be read aloud. Additionally, WYNN Wizard can read word processing documents, Adobe Acrobat PDF files, text files, and the Internet. Offer good study support tools, and an easy-to-learn, easy-to-navigate user interface.

WYNN Reader includes all features of WYNN Wizard except OCR, or scanning capability. Additionally, files that have been previously scanned and saved using WYNN Wizard can be read with WYNN Reader.

Digital Audio-based Information Systems (DAISY)

The latest NISO standard for talking books offers a variety of ways to use the files for support. DAISY production requires specific software, and creates powerful options for textbooks. Not all DAISY files will have all options - RFB&D currently uses audio output with navigation only, and Bookshare.org will post the text. The DAISY Consortium, ( www.daisy.org), is made up of book producers and libraries from around the world serving persons who are blind or print disabled. The technical description of a DAISY digital talking book is:

The DAISY DTB is a collection of digital files which provides an accessible representation of the printed book for blind, visually-impaired, and print-disabled users. These files may contain digital audio recordings of human speech, marked-up text, and a range of machine-readable files.

The structure of the book is designated by the XML tags and is accessible to the reader by use of a browser or a playback device. The DAISY DTB utilizes the technology of the Internet with some specialized applications added to provide greatly improved access to the information.

from:The DAISY Digital Talking Book (http://www.daisy.org/publications/guidelines/sg- DAISY3/part1.htm)

DolphinEasePublisher

Dolphin Audio Publishing
Dolphin Computer Access
60 East Third Avenue, Suite 301
San Mateo, CA 94401 USA
Tel (Toll Free): +1 866 797 5921
Fax: +1 (650) 348 7403

web: (http://www.dolphinaudiopublishing.com/products/EasePublisher/index.htm)

First license $3,999.00 or non-commercial license $750.00.
Additional license $2,399.00 or non-commercial licenses $750.00 .
Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) $799 or non-commercial licenses $250.00.

EasePublisher is the world's most advanced authoring software for the creation of Digital Talking Books. Simple to use, it allows the creation of multimedia content integrating text, audio and images. Step by step production instructions are available in the last section of AHEAD's Alternate media Production Resources (http://www.ahead.org/etext/AHEAD%202005%20Production%20Binder%20-%20Distribution.pdf). DAISY Consortium members can receive specially priced software for the creation of DAISY format books from DolphinEasePublisher - for only $320 ($750 for non-commercial licenses otherwise) EasePublisher is the world's most advanced authoring software for the creation of Digital Talking Books.

MP3 Creation software

This compressed audio format can be created from text files via specific software tools, or by some AT learning support software.

TextAloud v.2.0 http://www.Nextup.com $29.95; AT&T Voices (2)- $25- 45; Neospeech Voices (2)- $35; Cepstral voices - each $29.95

Simple text-to-speech and text-to-audio interface allows the creation of MP3 files

Orator, for the MAC, is a small, free application used to convert typed text into a sound file. The application is very simple and uses only one window. Type, paste, or drag text to the window, pick a voice and save the text to a file. Orator can also read text aloud.

Braille Production

Braille can be produced with production software. According to experts at DotlessBraille.org:

The single most important issue that anyone interested in braille transcribing must appreciate is that braille transcriptions must be essentially error-free. The standards are much higher than for print. This level of accuracy is necessary because braille uses the same cells for different purposes in different contexts. As a consequence, even slight errors can cause extreme difficulties in interpretation.

Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT)

Mail: Duxbury Systems, Inc.
270 Littleton Rd., Unit 6,
Westford, MA 01886-3523 USA
Telephone: (1-978) 692-3000
Fax: (1-978)692-7912
web: http://www.duxburysystems.com/dbt.asp

Duxbury Braille Translator for Windows $595.00

Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA), if purchased with a new product, $145 & $100 per additional seat. If not purchased with a new license, SMAs are $195 for the first seat and for each seat thereafter $125.

DBT can import files from popular word processors including Microsoft Word and WordPerfect, HTML, ICADD, DAISY/NISO/NIMAS, formatted and plain ASCII, earlier Braille editors such as EDGAR and Polkadot, Duxbury's own historical file formats, and more. Can translate print to Braille, or from Braille to print. LATeX output generated by Scientific Notebook can be imported into DBT and transcribed to Nemeth with a special filter (see MAVIS (http://www.nmsu.edu/~mavis/.))

Goodfeel Music Braille Production Software

Dancing Dots
1754 Quarry Lane
P.O. Box 927
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0927
Voice: 610 783-6692, Fax: 610 783-6732

web: http://www.dancingdots.com/goodfeel.htm

Includes GOODFEEL, Lime and SharpEye 2 $795

GOODFEEL automatically converts several kinds of music files to braille - the same files used to print the score for sighted players. To prepare and transcribe these files with GOODFEEL, you do not need to know how to read braille music; however, you should know how to read print music notation and how to use Windows-based software. Dancing Dots also offers:

Braille Music Instruction

• An Introduction to Music for the Blind Student, A Course in Braille Music Reading
• An Introduction to Piano for the Blind Student, A Course in Braille Music Reading
• Who's Afraid of Braille Music: handbook for parents, teachers & students
• TACK-TILES: learning system for braille
• GOODFEEL Training: learn to scan, edit & transcribe printed music into braille

Scientific WorkPlace and Scientific Word

MacKichan Software, Inc.
19307 8th Avenue, Suite C
Poulsbo, WA 98370-7370
Phone: 360-394-6033
Toll-free: 877-724-9673
Fax: 360-394-6039
web:http://www.mackichan.com/
Scientific WorkPlace 5.5 $845.00 Scientific Word 5.5 $630.00

Scientific Word and Scientific WorkPlace can both produce LATeX which can be turned into Nemeth Braille. (See notes below on MAVIS.)

Some notes on math access for the visually impaired from Dotless Braille.org (.http://www.dotlessbraille.org/):

MathML is the extension of the ideas behind HTML to display math using a source-render paradigm. The newest version of the specifications are a W3C Recommendation that "was released on 21 Feb 2001. A product of the W3C Math working group, MathML is a low-level specification for describing mathematics as a basis for machine to machine communication. It provides a much needed foundation for the inclusion of mathematical expressions in Web pages...." http://www.w3.org/Math

MathType is the commercial upgrade to the Equation Editor bundled with Microsoft Word. This editor provides a graphical interface that makes it easy to enter equations. The latest version of MathType generates MathML as an output option and is probably the best commercial software currently available for that purpose. The standard price is ~$130; academic versions are cheaper. http://www.mathtype.com

MAVIS or Mathematics Accessible to Visually Impaired Students refers to methodology developed at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces for both forward and back transcription of Nemeth. LATeX output generated by Scientific Notebook can be imported into DBT and transcribed to Nemeth with a special filter. A facility for back transcribing student-produced Nemeth for review by sighted teachers is in progress. http://www.nmsu.edu/~mavis/

Computer Applications Specialties Company is the developer of ED-IT PC and its follow-on, Braille 2000. http://www.c-a-s.com.

Other Software Options

Adobe Acrobat Professional (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/main.html) and
Adobe Reader 7.0. (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

Embossit (1.29 mb) (http://www.tsbvi.edu/braille/embossup.exe)

- a freeware standalone program that anyone can download to print Braille Formatted Files (brf, bfm, pok) from any Braille software, including but not limited to MegaDots, Duxbury, PokaDots, MicroBraille.

Hardware to do the tasks

Scanners

Canon (http://www.usa.canon.com/opd/controller?act=OPDSupportIndexAct&fcategoryid=2241)

High-speed precision feeding technology, compact design, high-speed color capability and even flexible configuration options.

From $600 to $10,000. Commonly recommended is the DR-9080C Color Production Scanner Canon which can be found for about $5000.
See DoxTek.com' summary page for quick comparison (http://www.doxtek.com/products/do_cust_search_forward.jsp?manufacturerId=1&categoryId=1).

Fujitsu (http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/products/scanners/)

Scanners priced from $500 to $25,000. See their Scanner FAQ (http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/products/scanners/faq.html) for help with meeting your center's needs. Support for older Fujitsu scanners can be found through the Canadian site.

Epson (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/ProductCategory.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=-8172)

Consider the Epson Perfection line for small jobs or for student work stations. Epson scanning software is not as robust, but does come with two sets of drivers (TWAIN and WIA) that offer flexibility for integrating with learning support software. Automatic document feeders are sold separately and cost apx. $200, generally more than the scanner itself.

Archival Quality DVD and CD media for storage

NIST Government Information Preservation Working Group (http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/gipwog/)

Identifying Top Quality CD and DVD Media for Archiving (http://pda.physorg.com/lofi-news-media-dvd-nist_2297.html)

Step-by-step Support Resources

AHEAD E-text Solutions Group (http://www.ahead.org/etext/etext_main.htm)

The AHEAD E-text Solutions Group focuses on policies, procedures, and best practices in providing the accommodation of digital text for those students who have disabilities that limit their ability to access print in standard ways: blindness, visual impairment, learning disability, and certain mobility impairments.

Alternate media Production Resources (http://www.ahead.org/etext/AHEAD%202005%20Production%20Binder%20-%20Distribution.pdf)
This 96 page document will take you from scan to Kurzweil or to DAISY book. Excellent reference with lots of screen shots to carefully explain the steps.

California Community CollegesHigh Tech Center Training Unit's Training Manuals page (http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/tutmain.htm)

Screen shots and clear writing help make these documents invaluable to Alternate format production. Use these steps to prepare your books and share them back to the AMX Database!

Introduction to Alternate Media (http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/alt/Intro_Alt_Media.pdf)

Creating Tactile Graphics ( http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/alt/Tactile_Graphics.pdf)

Transcribing with Duxbury ( http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/alt/Duxbury.pdf)

Creating E-Text (http://www.htctu.net/trainings/manuals/alt/Creating_E-Text.pdf)

FAQ's about Using HTCTU Alternate Media eXchange ( http://exchange.htctu.fhda.edu/FAQs.html)

Indiana University Adaptive Technology Center Presentations (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/resources/presentations/index.html)

High Speed Scanning Process (Powerpoint Presentation)

High Speed Electronic Text (Powerpoint Presentation)

Scan, Read, Achieve (Powerpoint Presentation)

The high speed scanning process (Captioned Online Video) (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/resources/videos/scanvideo.html)

Alternate Media Production (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/services/media.html)

 

How Students Can Use their Alternate Textbooks

Students will be able to various tools to play back their alternate textbooks. Some will utilize the learning support programs - most are available in a less expensive non-scan version. Others will use their screen readers, magnification software to compliment the books' information. Some will combine use of the learning support programs on campus, while taking advantage of other options at home.

DAISY digital talking books offer flexibility, searchability and bookmarking options making them very powerful as alternate format. Below you find some of the hardware and software that supports them, in addition to other software options that can support students as well.

 

Daisy Format Books

DAISY digital talking books can be played on either hardware devices or through software for the computer. Each kind of system has its strengths and weaknesses. Hardware players offer a relatively easy-to-use solution that can be portable. They are, however, more expensive and more difficult to update. Software-based players can offer more features and options, including the display of full or partial text if available, and generally will cost less money. However, you do need a computer and are tied to that computer. Each individual must pick out the best solution that meets his/her needs.

Software and devices from RFB&D may be customized to support RFB&D's AudioPlus and entering PIN authorizations. RFB&D may have the best available prices as well. Be aware not all offer DAISY3 file support.

DAISY Software Options

CAST AspireREADER™ 4.0-( http://www.cast.org/products/ereader/index.html) $229

Supporting RTF, HTML, DAISY3, NIMAS and DAISY 2.02 files, the newly released AspireREADER™ 4.0 helps struggling students improve reading and learning outcomes by providing access to digital talking books, Web pages, and word processing through synchronized visual, auditory, and tracking feature functions.

The new AspireREADER™ 4.0 is an enhanced version of the CAST eReader 3.0 that helps struggling students improve reading and learning outcomes by providing access to digital talking books, webpages, and word processing through synchronized visual, auditory, and tracking feature functions.

Developed and marketed by Aequus Technologies in partnership with CAST, AspireREADER™ 4.0 is available for Windows only. (The Macintosh version is under development.) For more information, please visit www.aequustechnologies.com.

EaseReader - http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/audio/products/EasePublisher/index.htm Cost: apx. $53.00

EaseReader is similar to an onscreen media player, with clickable buttons for commands. Looks similar to a media player, Provides flexible voice settings for speed and pitch; Includes SAPI 4.0, and brand new SAPI 5.0, and ATT Natural Voices™ The Macintosh® version only uses SAPI 4.0 voices and does not read the Internet or DAISY 2.02 documents.with clickable buttons, hot keys or tabbing between keys. Resizeable playback window. Bookmarks: Unlimited

eClipseReader - http://www.eclipsereader.com/ eClipseReader $99.95

eClipseReader is perfect for home use or classroom reading labs that have multiple student users. Ideal for students at the middle school level and up, eClipseReader has a Windows-like environment, with dropdown menus, self-voicing keyboard commands and brightly colored expandable toolbars. Resizeable playback window. Bookmarks: Unlimited

gh Player - http://www.ghbraille.com/ghplayer.html Cost:  $149.99

The gh PLAYER™ 2.0 offers support for DAISY3 / NISO books as well as DAISY 2.02 audio books. Read TXT files created from a variety of OCR scanning and text editing software. Export a TXT file as a DAISY3 Digital Talking Book. Use the My Library feature to locate files on your computer and store them in a centralized location. Provides a variety of navigation modes. Transition by page, section, segment, word, or even 5 different increments of time for audio books.  Notetaking gives you the opportunity to add notes to any page and have them voiced back to you.  Select from 6 different text-to-speech voices and assign them independently to the player and the narrator.  Choose from 6 preset colors or customize your own for the background, font color, and highlighting to increase the ease of reading. Use zoom feature to digitally zoom in and out of text from 1x to 16x magnification. Supports PowerBraille 80, PowerBraille 65, and Braille Star 80).  Can properly render the math and science.

TPB Reader -  http://www.daisy.org/tpbreader/index.asp?lang=en Cost: FREE

TPB Reader is a Daisy 2.0 and Daisy 2.02 compliant talking book player for Windows designed to be easy to learn even by those with no computer experience. The product is from Sweden.  Even though it is a easy-to-use software it should be powerful enough to satisfy those who have used similar programs before.
TPB Reader is freeware and can be downloaded at http://www.daisy.org/tpbreader/features.asp?lang=en

Victor Reader Soft - www.visuaide.com/victorsoft.htm Cost: $79.00

Victor Reader Soft is an intuitive software package, good for classroom or home use for students at the middle school level and up. Victor Reader Soft is ideal for those who are familiar with the Victor hardware CD players because it provides the same reading experience in a software format. Environment: Dropdown menu, split screen view. Screen layout with simple hot-key commands for navigation and control. Bookmarks: Unlimited.

For all software approved by Daisy Consortium, visit http://www.daisy.org/tools/bwreader.

See also, RFB&D AudioPlus playback software ( https://custhub.rfbd.org/SearchPlaybackDevices.asp)

DAISY Hardware Options 

APH BookPort – http://sun1.aph.org/products/bp_bro.html Cost:  $395.00

It features both text-to-speech capabilities and digital audio support. This means you may read electronic files (with synthetic speech) or digital recorded books (with human speech).
The unit contains state-of-the-art hardware such as a universal serial bus (USB) connector and a CompactFlash® card slot for removable mass storage. Book Port also acts as a recorder, letting you take audio notes on the material you read. Will support DAISY 3 and will also automatically back translate Braille files, such as the .brf files found on NLS’s Web Braille.  The process is quick and transparent and yields good results.

PlexTalk Portable Recorder - http://www.plextalk.com/index.html Cost:  $895.00

Designed to basically resemble a book, this device is a  a rich and complex tool which offers much more than DAISY book playback. A built-in microphone allows the recording of class lectures - up to 90 hours on a single recordable CD. Recordings can be transferred to a PC and then edited with Plextalk Recording Software (included). It can act as a standard external CD-RW drive when attached to a PC. Creates DAISY digital Talking books compatible with eClipseReader PC-based talking book reader. Import a text file and convert to MP3 audio with auto phrase detection. Other capabilities include a clock, alarm, calculator clipboard, and audio notepad. You can also employ voice bookmarks that you record, instead of simple numbered bookmarks. The machine can store bookmark information for 10,000 bookmarks for each of up to 1000 disks. The PTR1 does not yet play DAISY3.

Scholar Digital Talking Book Player - http://www.telex.com/TalkingBook/products.nsf/pages/ProductType=Digital%20Talking%20Book%20Players Cost: $243 - ( $199 from www.RFBD.org (will accept PIN numbers if purchased from RFB&D)

The Scholar will accept standard CDs and MP3 CDs. Primary controls are easily identified by their larger size and tactile rubber construction, while secondary controls are smaller and feature a chrome finish. The Scholar talking book player will provide instant access to specific page numbers and chapters in the DAISY structure, and includes a full numeric keypad with bookmarking feature. An LCD screen displays disc details for "at a glance" teacher monitoring. Lightweight headphones are included. Plays DAISY3.

Professor - Desktop Audio System Telex Professor Cost $300.00

This new desktop audio system provides multiple ways to listen to accessible content. It combines a CD player which plays standard or DAISY compatible CD’s, a four-track cassette player, and an AM/FM radio with 32 presets. Easy-to-use navigation buttons help you quickly book mark or move to a specific page. Plays DAISY3.

Victor Reader Classic+ - http://www.visuaide.com/classic_plus.html Cost:  $375.00

Easy CD insertion/removal. Also plays audio and MP3 CDs. Play speed with pitch compensation. Highly intelligible variable play speed.  Supports all DAISY navigation levels. Navigate easily by chapter, section, page, paragraph, and so on.  Key Describer Function Speaks functions of each key. Digital Sound Quality Use the high-quality built-in speaker or your earphone set.  Compact, portable and sturdy Goes anywhere with you, using rechargeable batteries and built-in carrying handle.  Place vocal notes in books, record course lectures, make to-do lists, record audio content from other devices, and more. Does not play DAISY3.

Victor Reader Vibe - http://www.visuaide.com/victor_vibe.html Cost: $219.00

Accessible with embossed tactile markings: tactile zones and markings for easy recognition of controls.  Standard CD player: also plays audio and MP3 CDs. Advanced functionalities: Go to page, Bookmarks and Speed control with pitch compensation. The most compact Daisy player in the world: Light weight 275 (g) and dimensions 29 x 148 x 138 (mm). Supports all Daisy navigation levels: Quickly go to chapter, section, page, paragraph, and so on.  All inclusive package: Earphones, power adapter, carrying case and rechargeable batteries. Simple firmware upgrade via CD. Does not support DAISY3.

Book Courier - http://www.bookcourier.com/Cost:  $379.00

BookCourier includes a built-in MP3 player; a built-in voice recorder; fast forward and fast reverse controls; bookmarks, jumps, and other smart navigation controls; a built-in alarm, sleep timer, clock, and calendar; plus easy-to-use controls for adjusting volume, reading speed, and more. Plays DAISY3.

For all hardware approved by Daisy Consortium, visit http://www.daisy.org/tools/playback.asp.

See also, RFB&D's AudioPlus playback hardware (https://custhub.rfbd.org/SearchPlaybackDevices.asp)

Assistive Technology (AT) Software

Students may use the Learning Station or standard WYNN options described in learning support software. They may also take advantage of AT available on campus, and then generate their own additional formats.

MP3 Playback

MP3 playback on a computer can be through several free programs. These are likely to be familiar to the students: Windows Media Player, RealPlayer and Quicktime.Windows media player offers variable playback speeds, Students can also add to their MP3 players via USB or memory card options. iPods are mp3 players which students can load files into from their computers via USB cables. Products such as TextAloud (see software) can read text in any form to be loaded to simple playback devices like the iPod through iTunes free software (http://www.apple.com/itunes/).

Other

Free or Inexpensive programs

ReadPlease 2003 (http://www.readplease.com)

Reads any text that can be copied and pasted into the reading window. See the Quick Start Guide for more information (http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/readplease.doc/).

The Universal Reader IGT "IGT - Intergalactic Translator" from Premier Assistive Technology

The read anything anytime program that can translate to and from 8 different languages. An incredibly useful ESL tool! Universal Reader© with Cepstral Voices  $79.95.  Call for volume discounts or site license.

Scan & Read Pro from Premier Assistive Technology (http://www.premier-programming.com/snrp/SNR_PRO.htm)

$149.95 plus shipping and handling. Call for volume discounts or site license.

 

Built-in capacities of Windows ( HOW TO: Use the Language Bar in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306993&sd=tech)

Built-in Adobe Reader Speech

Adobe Reader has the ability to Read Outloud. Hot keys will work even when Reader is embedded in your browser.

( Ctrl + Shift + V to Read This Page and Ctrl + Shift + E to Stop.)

See the ATRC Quick Start Guide for more hot keys and speech settings options (http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC/adobe.doc).

Built-in Macintosh Features (http://www.apple.com/accessibility/)

Access Technologist Higher Education Network (ATHEN) member Dan Berkowitz of Boston University has been writing about his current findings as he investigates DAISY Mac accessibility. See http://athenpro.blogspot.com/2006/02/mac-attack-or_13.html to read this blog.

Sample Case Studies of Students Who may Benefit from Textbooks in Alternate Format: Selecting an alternate format.

Case #1

• Frank is an older student returning to college for his MBA after a successful business career.
• He struggles with dyslexia; he has difficulty keeping his place while reading text and experiences word recognition issues.
• Enjoys lectures.
• Likes to make outlines.
• Makes extensive use of highlighter pen
• Identifies himself as an “auditory learner”.

Case #2

• Cyndy is a freshman with C4 spinal cord injury.
• Horticulture major.
• Extremely limited use of hands.
• Unable to manipulate a book.
• Uses voice input to run the computer.
• Her chair is set to recline every 20 minutes to help alleviate circulation issues. This interrupts her interaction with study materials and her concentration.

Case #3

• Jason is a transfer student from local community college.
• Suffered a traumatic brain injury less than 1 year ago; recovery ongoing.
• As he fatigues, he experiences problems focusing and double vision.
• Was a high performing student before the injury.
• Having problems completing reading assignments.

Case #4

• Maureen is a junior with ADHD majoring in Exercise & Sport Science.
• Has a hard time studying and concentrating in quiet surroundings.
• Has previously been able to "get by"in school by merely attending class, but now that she has reached a higher level she is struggling to keep up with her reading assignments.
• She identifies herself as an auditory learner.
• Has tried audio tapes, but has trouble keeping them organized and often loses them.
• She feels restless when she studies and likes to move around.
• She feels frustrated because her academic performance doesn't match what she knows she's capable of achieving .

Case #5

• Lucinda is an incoming freshman who presents with recently acquired blindness.
• Is bilingual, although her first language is Spanish.
• She is studying biology and has lots of terminology to learn.
• Has used audio tapes through RFBD.
• Is having difficulty learning new vocabulary, especially the spelling of new words.  This problem is reflected in her writing, in which she frequently uses incorrect or misspelled terminology.
• One of the problems she has encountered with audio tapes is the inability to search through the material to find key words and recheck facts.
• She is learning Braille, but still prefers audio.