Enhancing Digital Access to Learning Materials for Canadians With Perceptual Disabilities: A Pilot Study
By Lockerby, Christina; Breau, Rachel; Zuvela, Biljana; Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Vol. 100, No. 8, pp. 477-482Publication Date: August 2006
Paper focuses on a three-year study conducted by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to evaluate user preferences and needs regarding Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) Digital Talking Books. Digital Talking Books created with the DAISY standard can combine human or synthetic voice narration with digitized text. When a DAISY book is played using DAISY-compatible hardware or software, the reader can move directly to a heading or a specific page. A total of 56 adults from across Canada participated in the study. The Victor Reader Pro with Victor Reader Soft DAISY-compatible software were used in the study. The testing phase involved completing a series of tasks using the stand-alone player and using the software with a computer. Data were collected in terms of a five-point rating scale on which the participants rated the degree of difficulty of each task. The participants demonstrated that they were able to navigate DAISY books, though they did have some difficulty understanding the DAISY format. Many participants did indicate that they would continue to use DAISY books at the conclusion of the study.
Assistive Products Discussed: VICTOR READER PRO
VICTOR READER SOFT
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
