1. Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
2012-2013 Webinar Series for Florida’s Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Orientation
and Mobility Specialists, Parents, and Agency Personnel
2. Digital Text #1
Introduction to Options for Digital Text
Agenda for today
2:00 Introductions, Objectives
2:10 Definitions and Overview of File Types, Products and Devices– What’s the
difference between an iPad, iPod, iPod Touch, bluetooth, wi-fi, 3G/4G, Digital Text,
DAISY, Digital Audio, Bookshare, Learning Ally, etc.
2:30 Digital Text and the Impact on Students with Visual
Impairments
3:00 Bookshare
3:20 Follow-up and Questions
3:25 FIMC-VI update
3:30 Adjourn
3. Goals for Today
Participants will be able to:
Identify the different types of digital text
Explore the different options for accessing digital text for students
Identify accessibility features appropriate for your students’ needs
Order the correct materials from
FIMC-VI
4. How comfortable are you with change???
“Everything is hard until it is easy” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
5. Definitions
DAISY - Digital Accessible Information System
DAISY is file format that is designed to be a complete audio substitute for print
Designed for people with “print disabilities.”
Provides advanced features such as search, bookmarks, navigation, reading speed,
etc.
6.
DAISY Cont.
Provides access to tables, reference materials, and additional information in textbooks
and reference books.
DAISY is presented in human or synthetic speech, refreshable braille, or visual display
(large print or enlarged on screen).
Gives you Text to Speech instead of audio only. (You can see / touch the text while you
listen.)
7. DAISY cont.
DAISY books can be heard on:
Standalone DAISY players (BookPort or Victor Readers)
Computers using DAISY software
Mobile Phones
MP3 Players (with limited navigation)
CD, DVD, memory card, or through Internet
8. DAISY (cont.)
A computerized text DAISY book can be:
Read using refreshable Braille display
Used with a screen reader such as JAWS
Printed as a braille book on paper
Printed as a large print book on paper
Converted to an audio talking book
9. In other words ….
DAISY is the gateway to the future for our students who are blind and visually impaired!
10. Here are some more terms and definitions….
Just want to be sure no one is confused!
11. Other Definitions
iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system (OS). Was originally designed for the iPhone
but now is available on the iPhone, iPad, iTouch, and iPad Mini.
PC – Personal Computer typically Apple OS X or Windows Operating System
Mac Computers are Apple’s personal computers
Windows Computers – Microsoft’s personal computers. Brand names such as Dell,
HP, etc.
12. Yes, more definitions
Tablet Computer - one piece mobile computer such as iPad, Windows Surface, etc.
Can create content as well as access multiple types of content.
Apps – software applications for Smartphones, tablet computers, or mobile devices.
Most Apps are inexpensive or free. Apple Apps, Android apps, etc.
13. More Definitions …
E-Readers (e-book reader, or e-book device) is a mobile electronic device designed
primarily for reading digital e-books and periodicals.
Popular e-book readers are: Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Sony
Reader
Depends on internet and WiFi to link to library or e-book seller for downloads
E-Readers are limited in the types of content that you can create.
14. Definitions
iTunes – Media library and media player that allows you to organize, download, and
play music, podcasts, audiobooks, movies, etc. to an iPad, iPod, or Computer (Mac and
PC). You download iTunes on your computer or tablet.
iTunes Store – online store to purchase music, podcasts, movies, etc.
APP Store – How mobile software is delivered to mobile devices.
15.
Important Notes
Bookshare is the major “portal” for downloading digital books and textbooks in the
DAISY format.
Learning Ally has mainly audio file format. However, they are moving to digital format
(DAISY).
Digital Audio – Audio Only (no text).
16. Definitions
Refreshable Braille Display – requires that a screen reader such as JAWS (Windows
based) or Voice Over (Apple based) can access digital text. The screen reader “drives”
the formation of the braille dots on the display.
17. Refreshable Braille Displays
It is only a display / monitor and a keyboard (6-Key entry). It uses another device such
as a computer, braille notetaker, or tablet to connect with the refreshable braille display.
Uses the digital text (such as DAISY, MS Word, text files, etc.) along with the screen
reader to control the braille dots.
Connects via Bluetooth between the two devices. Bluetooth is available on most
devices today. Older equipment requires inexpensive Bluetooth adapters.
18. Refreshable Braille Display
For braille readers the refreshable braille display levels the playing field in school and
work.
Allows instant access to all information in digital format – internet, MS Word, digital
textbooks, email, etc.
Allows braille reader to create and edit in all programs.
19. Definitions
Wi-FI – wireless internet through a router in your home, at Starbucks, at school, in the
library, airport, or other “hot spots.” Some are free, others you have to pay a fee
(usually in airports) or have the security code to access (at your friend’s house).
20. Definitions
3G or 4G access – this is when the device has the capability of accessing the internet
through phone towers. Similar to how you can get internet on your phone.
With 3G or 4G you can access the internet in your car or anywhere without a hot-spot
or wired internet access.
With a 3G or 4G device (iPad or mobile phones), you will pay extra for this through a
“data plan” that you set-up when you purchase the device. Typical usage is $15.00 to
$30.00 a month for iPad that uses 3G or 4G.
21. Definitions
Bluetooth – wireless connection between DEVICES over short distances. Uses radio
waves to connect devices.
iPad and iTouch use Bluetooth to connect refreshable braille displays, external
keyboards, etc.
Common in new cars, stereo headsets, wireless mouse, etc.
22. Definitions
The “Cloud” – data such as photos, music, word processing, books, databases, etc. is
saved and stored in high-capacity computer networks and storage devices and not your
computer. You access your data through the internet. Instead of saving digital books on
your e-reader or tablet computer, they are saved in the “cloud.”
5GB is free / 10GB costs $20.00 a year and up.
Negative aspect of the “cloud” is that you must have “hot-spot” or 3G/4G Internet
access to retrieve your books or data.
23. Devices
iPod Touch (or iTouch) – an iPhone without the phone or 3G /4G
WiFi for hot-spots internet access
Email, browse the web, share files
Camera (for 3rd generation model and up)
Apps / Games
Touch screen control
24. Devices
iPad and iPad Mini – tablet computer which runs on Apple’s iOS. Features:
Built in Wi-Fi
Cellular connectivity (3G or 4G) on some models that you pay extra on a
monthly
data plan
Touch Screen/on-Screen Keyboard
Camera and Video
Bluetooth capability
Built in access to most refreshable braille displays
25. iPad -- Pros and Cons for VI
Pros
Bluetooth sync with Refreshable braille display
Apps are inexpensive compared to computer programs
Voice Over and Zoom are standard
Kids love them
Find my iPad App
26. Digital Text Bunch
Andrea Wallace & Jill Pfluke
Pinellas County TVIs
WWE 12/6/12 Digital Text Session 1
27. Beginning today, you need to be able to:
download a book from Bookshare
use a DAISY player
use text-to-speech software
teach a student to use a BookPort Plus
create digital text
teach a student to create digital text
use a refreshable braille display
use an iPad, Kindle, or other electronic device to access books
use Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
28. One of the biggest barriers for students who have visual impairments is
access to print.
29. What & Why?
Digital text is the representation of information in digital format.
It can be accessed through many devices via a variety of programs.
Text provided in digital format bridges the gap by allowing instant access.
Digital text separates the content from the display because of the DAISY format!
It changes from static (paper) to dynamic (refreshable braille, digital text, audio,
etc.)
30. Advantages
a) Affordable: many resources are free
b) Interactive: can be manipulated
c) Complex content can be simplified: can remove/replace graphics-based
components
d) Flexible: user accesses with preferred device/programs
e) Sets individual options
31. Digital text is ...
32. What to do with those files ...
Download to devices, such as:
Computer/Laptop
Tablet
iDevices
Android-based devices
Bookport Plus
VictorStream
BraillePlus Mobile Manager
Ebook reader
33. How to read those files
VictorReader Soft
Read:OutLoud
Read2Go
GoRead
Blio
iBooks
Kindle
Nook
Overdrive Media Console
BookTransfer
AMIS (Adaptive Multimedia Information System)
34. Other Formats:
DAISY
Digital
Accessible
Information
SYstem
RTF
Rich
Text
Format
BRF
Braille
Ready
Format
PDF
Portable
Document
Format
35 PDF
Portable Document Format - PDF is typically an image of a file.
Used to “lock” the formatting of a document
Requires Adobe Professional to convert into a text file that can be edited or transcribed
into braille.
36. Digital Text Resources
Spreadsheet containing resources
(sites and contents)
https://visionteacher.wikispaces.com/home
37. Other avenues
Intel Reader (Intel)
KNFB Reader (NFB)
Pearl (Freedom Scientific)
Kurzweil
Scanner with OCR software
Benefits:
One device – thousands of books
Instant Access – anytime and (mostly) anywhere
More affordable
Devices that everyone uses
With the right accessibility users are given a choice to listen or read tactually.
39. Major Players
40. The Kindle Family
The Basic Kindle
No flexibility in adjusting menu readability
No text-to-speech (TTS).
Reading font can be increased
Kindle Fire,Touch, Keyboard, & DX
TTS
Adjustable font for reading
No audio guide through menus
41. Nook Simple Touch, Simple Touch with GlowLight, Color, Study and Tablet
Adjustable contrast & brightness
Adjustable font size & type
TTS is limited – publisher must grant access.
Keyboard navigation.
Keyboard navigation + TTS = Voice guide menu
42. iPad & iPod
VoiceOver (similar to JAWS)
Zoom (enlarges screen)
Contrast and brightness
Apps – accessible apps for reading
3rd party apps not required to be accessible by VoiceOver
Bluetooth braille display
43. Apps
iBooks for iOS
Compatible with VoiceOver & Zoom
In app font adjustment
Audio descriptions of pictures*
Bookmark
Search word or page number
Only available iOS
Limited number of books available
44. Apps cont …
Learning Ally (formerly RFB&D)
Must be a member
Compatible with VoiceOver
DAISY titles only
Easy browsing
Audio Only
Page and chapter navigation
Bookmark
Only available iOS
45. Apps cont …
Read2Go
Direct access from Bookshare – member access
Import other downloads
HTML, text, and DAISY titles
In app highlighting, text colors and type sizes
Ease of navigation
Only iOS
46. Apps cont …
47. Apps cont …
OverDrive
Ebooks and audio books from your library
Compatible with VoiceOver
48. Current players
BookPort
49. Final Thoughts ...
Not only do you want to learn how to do this for your students, BUT ...
they need to be empowered to do be able to do this for themselves!
50. Moving on to Bookshare
51. Introduction to Bookshare and Software Playback
52. Bookshare
53. Bookshare Website
54. Adding members
55. Individual Memberships
56. Compatible AT Software
57. Free software for computer use
58. Victor Reader Soft (VRS)
59. Victor Reader Soft Cont'd
60 Victor Reader Soft Voices
61. Bookshare and FIMC-VI
FIMC-VI uses Bookshare as the Accessible Media Producer (AMP) for Florida.
Bookshare converts the NIMAS derived files from NIMAS to DAISY (or BRF).
Remember… NIMAS files are State-Adopted books published after 2007.
62. To Order a Digital File from
FIMC-VI
Student should have a Bookshare account
Search Bookshare to see if the ISBN is already converted and available for download.
If Bookshare has the exact same ISBN, you can download the file directly from
Bookshare.
63. Ordering Digital Files from FIMC-VI
If file is NOT available in Bookshare; and it is State Adopted and published after 2007 …
1. TVI will submit special order request to FIMC-VI for the digital format.
FIMC-VI will authorize Bookshare to convert the file. Once the file is converted ...
FIMC-VI will notify TVI that the book is ready.
TVI (or student) returns to Bookshare and downloads the book.
Books are typically converted and ready for download within a week or 10 days of the
original order!
64. Ordering Digital Files from FIMC-VI
If file is NOT State Adopted and it is published before 2007 …
TVI will submit special order request to FIMC-VI for the book in digital format.
FIMC-VI will determine if there are any sources (Learning Ally, etc.) where the book is
available in digital or audio format.
If the book is not available in digital or audio format, a hard copy format (either braille or
large print) can be ordered.
The teacher then receives the delivery of the book in hard copy.
65. Bookshare Ordering Flowchart
66. Devices Available from FIMC-VI
American Printing House for the Blind offers:
1. BookPort
2. Refreshabraille 18
3. Braille Plus Mobile Manager
4. Book Port Desk Top player
67. Next Time – May 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Discuss importance of auditory learning
Tools for teaching these devices
When to begin teaching the devices
Review your experiences with digital text
68. Homework Assignment for Next Time!
Register a student for Bookshare
Get a Bookport or other device (Order from Kathee Cagle if needed)
Download a book to the device
If you have a student reading braille, use a Bookshare file with a refreshable braille
display.
Write up an explanation of what you did, the results, and email to me by May 1, 2013.
69. Resources
http://accessproject.colostate.edu/udl/modules/etext/mod_etext.cfm
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenberg:Help_on_Bibliographic_Record_Page
www.intel.org
www.bookshare.org
www.aph.org
www.apple.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/BN-Accessibility-Statement/379003519/
70. Resources
Wikipedia
Center for Accessible and Specialized Technology – www.cast.org
DAISY Consortium – www.daisy.org
Matrix comparing readers and text:
https://carmenwiki.osu.edu/display/10292/EBook+Reader+Accessibility+and+Comparison+Matrix
Access to Electronic Books, a Comparative Review:
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm11/bm1105/bm110509.htm
71. Resources – YouTube Videos
APH- Connecting the Refreshable Braille Display: Bluetooth and USB (YouTube video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNpb4OmkWOc
APH Refreshable Braille Display: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ_aYCJ0yAE
72. Evaluations
FIMC-VI 2012-13 Services
Procurement or production and distribution of accessible instructional materials
Professional Learning
Working with the Experts
Quality Programs for Students with Visual Impairments (QPVI)
Webinars
Braille FCAT development
Volunteer services for braille and audio
Professional Loan Library
NIMAS Florida
Braille Challenge
74. 74Florida Regional Braille Challenges
Affiliated with the National Braille Challenge created by the Braille Institute of America
and sponsored by FIMC-VI.
75. Braille Challenge
FIMC-VI hired Sue Glaser part time to manage all aspects of the Florida Braille
Challenge.
Grown from one event with 19 students in 2008 to four events with over 100 students
participating in 2013
2013 offered four events
Tallahassee – January 25
Orlando – February 8
Ft. Lauderdale – February 22
Tampa – March 1
Data analysis shows improvement in braille reading fluency and comprehension for
students participating for more than two consecutive years
76. FIMC-VI 2012-13 Workshops and Webinars
March 8: Digital Text for Students with Visual Impairments Webinar (Session 1 of 2)
May 8: Digital Text for Students with Visual Impairments Webinar (Session 2 of 2)
May 10: New Teacher and New Program Supervisor Webinar (Session 3 of 3)
77. FIMC-VI Full-Time Staff
Suzanne Dalton – Supervisor
Kay Ratzlaff – Coordinator
Donna Ross – District Resource Teacher
Kathee Cagle – Order Processing and APH Census
Diana Moyer- Large Print Production
Vernon Underwood – Braille Production
Siew Ng – Braillist
Denise Battle – Shipping
Curtis Nelson - Receiving
78. QUESTIONS?