DAISy, Academic Libraries, and Assistive Technology in Higher Education Making the DAISy (ANSI/NISO Z ) Connection: Mary J. Barnett Consultant North Texas Regional Library System Fort Worth, Texas Accessing Higher Ground November 14, 2009 Winchester, CO

Making Connections DAISy (digital accessible information system) The DAISY (ANSI/NISO Z ) standard for digital talking books is having an impact in the provision of documents in alternate format in higher education. Due to its radical potential to change the production of alternate format materials from a highly segmented, labor intensive process to a highly networked, integrated, cost effective, digital process, DAISY has vast potential for application in any area of society where alternate format materials are needed.

DAISy: An Important Standard Why DAISY is an important standard Navigability: The DAISY standard allows users of digital books to interact with text in the same way that students with printed text can; for instance, the standard allows for navigation features such as bookmarking and moving between chapters, sections, and pages seamlessly. A flexible standard for exchange: As an international standard for digital books, DAISY compliant books can be shared and exchanged through different organizations and libraries. Content created using DAISY standard not only creates excellent audio-based material but can also be translated into Braille, and large print with minimal duplication of effort. Existing infrastructure: There are numerous commercially-available hardware and software devices that already support and play content created in accordance to the DAISY standard. Many current users of digital books already have these devices, so usage of the DAISY standard does not require the purchase of additional equipment for the end-user. Commercial and open source DAISY authoring tools allow content creators to produce accessible content from inception. Compatibility: The DAISY standard utilizes existing, well-defined standards used in the mainstream (e.g., XML, SMIL), which allows for forward compatibility, i.e., DAISY content created today will remain compatible with DAISY playback devices developed in the future. Source: DAISy in Higher Education

Making Connections: Issues in Higher Education Assistive Technologists in Higher Education Primary knowledge source about DAISy digital talking books on their campus Academic Librarians Knowledgeable about digitization, but probably lack knowledge about DAISy

On Campus - roles about accessibility are defined by academic administrative practices and policies. Professional Organizations - academic librarians receive professional advancement by attending meetings at library organizations which may lack a focus on accessibility issues. Although NLSBPH librarians are knowledgeable about DAISy, organizational structures in librarianship offer little opportunity for social connections between academic librarians and librarians from the NLSBPH. Academic Librarians: Issues in Addressing Accessible Technology

American Library Association (ALA) – Focus on Assistive Technology ALA – Large collection of interest groups within librarianship – meets twice a year Assistive technology primarily receives attention from two groups: The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Long history of focus on the area; includes -- state library agencies – libraries serving special populations (includes people with disabilities – multitype library organization – independent librarians Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) – has an academic focus ACRL Universal Accessibility Interest Group in ALA Connect – recent emphasis Other groups may have periodic emphases on accessibility issues.

American Library Association Participation: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH) NLSBPH Developed long before academic offices of disability services existed or individual public libraries had the capacity to develop materials in alternate formats; state library agencies are usually “home” to the NLSBPH in a state; Some states have “sub-regionals;” divisions of the state NLSBPH in a larger public library or other facility in the state; The NLSBPH is characterized as a “public library”; Provided leadership in developing DAISy; Tend to participate at ALA-ASCLA; one of the smallest divisions; Conference organizational structure makes it difficult for members to attend meetings in more that one organizational area – little opportunity for a member to attend meetings of the ASCLA group and the ACRL group at same conference.

Multi-type Library Systems: Opportunities for Participation In Local Library Social Networks Library Systems: Term can refer to library information systems; In this presentation, refers to groupings of individual libraries organized regionally by state library agencies for administration and development. Two types: 1. Systems limited to public libraries 2. Systems that include academic libraries as well as other types - multitype systems

Library Systems – Common Roles Training and conferences; present various kinds of conferences and training opportunities year-round; national and state library organizations usually meet only twice a year; Provide opportunities for leadership roles and credits that enhance professional advancement; Focus on a smaller local area than national and state library organizations.

Library Systems - Funding Patterns The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) receives the Federal funds appropriated by Congress under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) State library organizations, authorized by state legislatures, submit five year plans to IMLS; Requests must address targeted priorities, including services for people with disabilities. State libraries disperse funds through state system organizations; Regional library systems submit requests for funding based on targeted priorities, including services to people with disabilities.

Responses to Request for Information sent to [ASCLA – L] Discussion List May 24, 2009 Question - Part I Which states authorize academic library participation in their state library systems? Question – Part II Are there states or particular library systems in states that have developed projects emphasizing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the provision of assistive technology in libraries?

Responses to Question - Part I Which states authorize academic library participation in their state library systems? Responding “Yes”* California Maine Colorado Massachusetts Florida Nebraska Illinois New Jersey Ohio New York *Responses were voluntary and not part of a systematic survey.

Responses to Question – Part II Are there states or particular multitype library systems in states that have developed projects emphasizing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the provision of assistive technology in libraries?* Illinois State Library ( ) Alliance Library System ( Innovation Department Share the Health: Training People with Disabilities and Chronic Medical Conditions on How to Locate Quality Health Information ( portmay2009.pdf) portmay2009.pdf Illinois Alive - online web archive on Illinois history with access to e-books and audio descriptions of images ( *Responses were voluntary and not part of a systematic survey.

Texas – North Texas Regional (Public) Library System Expanding Accessibility Project: Identifying Needs, Removing Barriers and Enhancing Services and Accessibility ( The project is funded by an LSTA grant from the Texas State Library in three phases, and includes an emphasis on assistive technology: Phase 1 - Identify special needs which currently limit access to library services and accessibility among the members of the library's community. (September 2008) Phase 2 - Remove identified barriers. (September 2009) Phase 3 - Enhance services to and accessibility for that population group. (September 2010)

NTRLS Expanding Accessibility Phase 1 Project Activities During Phase 1, NTRLS will be helping member libraries plan and implement Services Fairs for local residents with disabilities, providing such services as the following: Assistance in developing local contacts / partners who serve people with disabilities, Development of a toolkit for coordinating such fairs, Group training in the use of those toolkits, Possible funding assistance for Fairs sponsored jointly by a member library in conjunction with another library and/or a community partner, and Related one-on-one consulting.

NTRLS Expanding Accessibility: Participation by Academic Librarians As a part of the program, a program Advisory Council has been developed to open the door for partnerships and to assure that all physical barriers to access are being addressed. The Council includes public, academic and medical librarians, school library and school district representatives, and representatives of various groups which provide services to and / or products for people with special needs. Program activities involve funding support for the purchase of assistive technology. TechNet 2009, the annual NTRLS technology conference, included participation by academic librarians and public librarians. A track on universal accessibility issues included a presentation on DAISy. (

Suggestions for Assistive Technologists on Making the DAISy Connection Through Multitype Library Systems Academic librarians participate in the activities of multitype library systems and are interested in digital applications; Librarians from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (identified with public libraries) may also participate in multitype system activities and are knowledgeable about DAISy; Training opportunities and conferences sponsored by multitype systems may offer assistive technologists opportunities to make presentations and develop professional relationships with others knowledgeable about DAISy while offering opportunities to inform academic librarians about the advantages of DAISy as a digital method for producing materials in alternate formats. Regional multitype systems offer opportunities for local interaction with academic librarians from several institutions and public librarians from several communities without extensive travel; States which have systems focused on public libraries may offer similar opportunities; states also may change the emphasis from one focused solely on public libraries to one emphasizing multitype systems.

Make the DAISy Connection! Contact your state library by telephone or through the website; Identify state library system personnel in your region; Identify NLSBPH personnel at the state library or sub- regional library if your state has them; offer to work on DAISy related issues; Offer to present on assistive technology at regional library system meetings and conferences; Offer to serve as an information resource on DAISy!

Contact Information: Mary J. Barnett Independent Librarian/Consultant Fort Worth, Texas