Universal Access to Alternate Media Lars Ballieu Christensen Tanja Stevns

People and Media People with special need alternate formats – The blind require Braille, audio books, e-books, e-text, tactile illustrations, … – The partially sighted require large print, audio books, e-books, e-text, … – People with dyslexia/learning disorders/poor language skills/poor reading skills require audio books, e-books, e-text, … – People with physical disabilities may need e-books, e- text, … – Just to name a few …

People and Media Preparing alternate media material is non- trivial – You need digital copies of source documents – You need proper tools and technologies – You need skills and experience – You need time – You need to understand copyright legislation in your jurisdiction – Just to name a few …

People and Media In segregated environments Special schools, sheltered work environments, … Alternate media usually not an issue Experienced faculty and staff Critical mass of users Good understanding of needs, tools and technologies In mainstream environments Mainstream education, the general labour market, … Usually a significant problem Skills from previous practice erode Inexperienced faculty and staff Many different special needs Limited understanding of needs, tools and technologies

The Future is Mainstream General trend and demand – From international organisations and policy makers (UNESCO Salamanca Statement, UN CRPD, …) – From national legislators and administrators – From disability organisations and parents associations Education for all – in the mainstream Regions and nations are at various stages … – Scandinavia amongst the first to embrace inclusion in the 1980s – Other countries about to commence transition Mainstreaming is likely to become the norm everywhere

The Problem Mainstreaming does not remove the need for alternate media A number of challenges persist – Availability of source documents – Accessibility of source documents – Availability of efficient tools and technologies – Competencies amongst staff Providing suitable formats is a moving target – Situational – Personal preferences Accessibility is a good foundation

Designing for Alternate Media Digital Accessibility Use tech correctly, tag structure, provide alternatives, set language, … Universal Design Active language, short sentences, illustrations, holistic, … Specific Design Dyslexic, Low Vision, Blind,…

Reflexions … Address the triangle from the right end – Improvements at the bottom will filter through – With a good foundation, source documents can be repurposed for many groups of users – With a good foundation, many alternate media conversions can be automated

Automating Knowledge and Competencies Technologies to support inclusion RoboBraille, SensusAccess Biblus, SensusLibrary E-books in general

RoboBraille, SensusAccess

Biblus, SensusLibrary

E-books, VI Reader

Key challenges Competing legislation (rights of equal treatment vs copyright legislation) Use of streaming amongst special libraries Lack of skills – Amongst producers of digital material – Amongst alternate media producers – Amongst knowledge workers in general

Conclusions The future is mainstream There will still be huge need for alternate media Source documents will remain a challenge Many obstacles can be removed through education Others through inclusion technologies A proper balance between copyright and equal right must be found (Marrakesh Treaty)

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