1. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 BRAILLENET A Digital Document Delivery for the Blind in France Dominique Burger, INSERM INSERM U483 – Inova 9, quai Saint-Bernard, 75252 – Paris cedex 05 dburger@snv.jussieu.fr

2. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 BrailleNet Association created in 1997 (Non Governmental Organization) To promote the use of the Internet as a tool for integration Grouping around 50 organizations (associations, schools, laboratories, companies) Members in France, but also in Canada, Switzerland,.. Coordinated by INSERM at University Paris 6

3. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 BrailleNet Actions Technical assistance : giving support to schools and public libraries, training,... Web Accessibility : participating in WAI, campaigning in France, developing expertise Participating in R&D projects (IST SEDODEL, TIM, WAIDA, VICKIE) Developing a digital library www.braillenet.org

4. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 Visually Impaired People in Europe In France – 70 000 persons are blind –1 200 000 have a low vision ( according to INSEE ) In Europe – 1 000 000 persons are blind –13 000 000 have a low vision ( according to RNIB )

5. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 New avenues for accessing books Digital techniques provide visually impaired people (VIP) with alternative solutions for accessing information (Electronic display units, refreshable Braille, speech synthesis, special keyboards) The Internet creates a World Wide Virtual Library Standardisation of structured formats (PDF, SGML, HTML, XML, DAISY…)

6. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 A great variety of needs Adapted visual presentations –font, size, colour, contrast,.. Braille presentations –paper, refreshable –grade I or II Audio presentations –human, synthetic speech Technical platform –computer, Operating System –access technology

7. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 A General Scheme for Producing Adapted Documents Structured Electronic Document Source Print Braille E-book Audio book A part of the maimstream publishing scheme … INTERFACE

8. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 The Helene Server Exploratory action Pilot Project launched in 1999 (contacts with Linz University) Partners Institut National de la Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles (INJA) Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6 (UPMC)

9. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 What can be found on Helene Books in the Public Domain A search engine collects accessible books on the Web. Adapted sources of books The server Hélène collects files prepared by schools for Braille printing. Original files Publishers provide original files, thqt are stored on an highly secured server for further adaptation by transcription centres.

10. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 Who can access it ? Books in the Public Domain -> Anybody Adapted sources of books -> Specialized Printing Centres Original files -> Adaptation Centres

11. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 Results The Helen server was opened as a pilot service in May 2000 More than 1200 books in the Public Domain Nearly 500 under copyrights Feasability demonstrated conclusions …

12. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 1- A Need for Standard Formats.txt,.doc,.rtf,.html, Quark Xpress, … BrailleStarDuxburryLarge printAbrotext Candidates ?

13. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 2- Human expertise still needed Text Images Curves Formulas Tables Music … For complex and composite documents human expertise is needed

14. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 3- Renewing tools and methods A adaptation software (accept standard formats, customisation features, multilingual, reversible, …) A unique catalogue on the Web created by the INJA (around 60 000 references) An Internet server to monitor the transcription work made in different centres www.inja.fr

15. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 4- Copyright issues In France permission of right owners needed Publishers want : – Clear guarantees –An unique organisation negociating –Zero cost => A simple contract is accepted

16. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 5- Cooperation with publishers Model contract validated by their union Cooperation easier with publishers involved in digital publishing Accessibility recommendations could be incorporated in electronic sources Defining an economic model

17. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 6- Public programmes for book digitisation Should use/promote accessible formats Public Web Libraries should be accessible (welcome pages, catalogues, …) Web Accessibility Initiative

18. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - 2001 Prospects Developing a permanent service in France A national body could be set up for that (CNEA) International Cooperation seeked –French speaking countries –To involve southern countries : OFAEL –Worldwide technical harmonization IFLA may act as a catalyst