I am interested in finding out more information about creating readings for the blind or dyslexic student. I am particularly interested in early elementary school literature or textbooks and reading on tape or disc.
What can you tell me about working in this area?
Providing accessible text to students with disabilities has received a lot of attention in recent years as both technology tools and publisher standards(opens in a new window) have modernized. The increasing availability of digitized texts from a variety of sources make it easier than ever before to find most materials available in multiple formats. For harder to find texts, software and hardware options are available to help you convert texts into formats more readily accessible by individuals with print disabilities.
If you are trying to find electronic text and audio books, there are several free options available for students with documented print disabilities: Bookshare(opens in a new window) and Learning Ally are both popular options for finding texts for students, and may be a good place to start if looking for academic texts and grade-level literature. Project Gutenberg(opens in a new window) is another option for free eBooks, and Librivox(opens in a new window) has free audio books available for download. Both websites offer books in the public domain, so they may not always have everything you are looking for.
If you can’t find the texts or the materials you need, or if you prefer to create your own alternate formats for student readings, a number of software programs and scanning options are available; see this customized Tech Matrix(opens in a new window) for digital text. For students who are blind, you may be interested in purchasing a Braille printer or refreshable Braille displays; check out the customized Tech Matrix(opens in a new window) on Braille for suggestions.