Audio books include reading material and documents which are verbally recorded onto tape, CD or can be downloaded via the internet, to enable access by people with vision or intellectual impairments.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Reading written documents, reports and other literature is an important part of many work roles. However, for some people reading standard print can be difficult due to:
- cognitive impairment
- difficulty holding the document or manipulating the pages due to physical impairments
- early dementia
- learning disabilities including dyslexia
- literacy difficulties
- vision impairments.
Providing audio versions of documents within the workplace can allow persons to hear the document via the spoken word, and therefore allow access to information relevant to their workplace.
DAISY books are an alternative format to traditional audio books. DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information Systems, and can be played back on a playback device or using computer software. DAISY books provide a more accessible, versatile and user friendly version of audio books, and allows the reader to browse the contents of each page just as a sighted person would with a standard book. Some mobile phones and MP3 players have applications that can be downloaded to enable DAISY books to be read on these devices.
Another option to assist with listening rather than reading of workplace documents is through the use of computer based adaptive technology which reads text on the screen.
For more sources on communication aids, please see the following links:
References
Association for the Blind of WA—Guide Dogs WA 2010, About DaisyWorm, Association for the Blind of WA—Guide Dogs WA, Victoria Park, viewed 2 December 2011, http://www.guidedogswa.org/daisyworm/.
Vision Australia 2010, Reasons for Alternative Formats, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 2 December 2011, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=681.
Vision Australia 2010, Daisy FAQs, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 2 December 2011, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=687.