The Promise of Accessible Textbooks (NCAC)

There are three main characteristics of accessible textbooks.  First, they are flexible.  Accessible textbooks are alternate format versions of textbooks, essentially a digital book which makes them more flexible to format.  Information can be transformed from one form of media to another with ease.

Second, they are standard. There is a movement, lead by the National File Format Technical Panel, toward standardizing the production of accessible text books.  Some large publishing companies are adapting this alternate format and are seeking approval from authors as part of their contract.  In this way, books are digitalized at the beginning of the process, rather than trying to convert the textbook into a form that meets the individual's need at the end.  

Finally, they reach a large spectrum of people quickly.  Prior to accessible textbooks, books were read aloud as in e-books or were converted to brail.  With accessible textbooks, more individuals with disabilities are able to obtain the books in a shorter amount of time.  Books are digital and standard, so many people across a spectrum of disabilities are able to be served without waiting for the textbook to be put into braille and without the expense of refreshable Braille displays (RBDs).

Many students benefit from accessible textbooks.  Those that have poor vision benefit from digital textbooks increasing the size of the text and tint of the screen.  The visually impaired, who are unable to see text or pictures, can have books quickly converted into a Braille or have pictures read aloud.  Students having difficulty decoding are able to listen to books read aloud. Those that are physically challenged use switches to turn pages.  Teachers can easily modify the information to help meet each student's individual needs.  Under the Chafee Amendment students with an IEP are required to have the provisions listed in the IEP provided for them.  For example, a blind person will have a book read  aloud or a brail book.  Students with other disabilities who do not qualify under Chafee for special provisions would also benefit from the increasing number of accessible textbooks.