Multimedia

DAISY multimedia can be helpful for students of all ages:

• DAISY provides an enriched multimedia reading experience that is completely accessible
• DAISY offers text and audio synchronization, text can be voiced using synthetic speech
• DAISY audio recordings can be made by professional or volunteer narrators, or can be generated as synthetic speech
• DAISY can support Braille output
• DAISY provides adjustable character display
• DAISY meets both simple and advanced reading needs

DAISY is for EVERYONE who needs accessible information and for EVERYONE who loves to READ

DAISY multimedia can be:

A talking book or computerized text, also a synchronized presentation of text and audio produced according to DAISY Standards. While reading a DAISY book, a reader can go to the next or previous page, chapter or sentence. These books can be distributed on a CD/DVD, memory card or through the Internet.

You can listen to DAISY books on:

• Standalone DAISY Players
• Computers using DAISY playback software such as AMIS
• Mobile phones
• MP3 players - with limited navigation

A computerized text DAISY book can be:

• Read using refreshable Braille display or screen reading software
• Printed as Braille book on paper
• Converted to a talking book using synthesized voice
• Printed on paper as large print book
• Read as large print text on computer screen

Is DAISY multimedia useful for students?

• Readers can place multiple bookmarks and move around quickly, therefore DAISY is ideal for locating material quickly when studying.
• The DAISY structuring allows essays and papers to be completed to academic standards with footnote details and bibliography.
• Some digital DAISY playback devices have the ability to record, so you can record lectures.

Is it hard for older adults to learn DAISY technology?

• Many older adults who try DAISY books and players find them easier to use than books on tape.
• DAISY books can be contained on one CD or on a memory card, there is no need to play multiple cassettes.
• DAISY books have good sound quality, you may find a DAISY book easier to hear.
• Different models of DAISY players have been designed for older adults and leisure reading, with large buttons and simple operation.

Where do I get DAISY books?

• Bookshare
• Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in the United States
• RNIB in the United Kingdom
• ReadHowYouWant
• The Association Valentin Haüy in France
• BrailleNet in France
• Dedicon in the Netherlands
• DZB in Germany
• Project Gutenberg
• L'Association pour le Bien des Aveugles et malvoyants in Switzerland
• Vision Austalia's Information Library Service in Australia
• ONCE in Spain
• NOTA in Denmark
• CINB Digital Library in Canada
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) in the United States

Please check our Members and Friends list for additional providers and producers of DAISY content.