Question: What does DAISY stand for?
It stands for Digital Accessible Information SYstem
Question: Why use DAISY?
DAISY is a global standard for producing accessible documents for people who are print disabled. These documents are often referred to as Digital Talking Books (DTBs)
Question: What is a print disability?
It is the inability to read standard print due to a visual, perceptual, or physical disability. Examples include blindness, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, or impaired manual dexterity that makes it difficult to hold a book.
Question: What is a DTB?
A Digital Talking Book
Question: How does a DAISY DTB work?
By linking audio, all levels of text, and images, readers are able to navigate through a DAISY DTB on-screen, by listening, or both.
Question: What can I use to play a DAISY DTB?
A DAISY DTB can be played on a PC, Mac, PDA, mp3 player, mobile phone or DAISY player.
Question: Why do print-disabled students want DAISY DTBs?
They are greatly superior to traditional audio books, which are linear and provide little or no ability to navigate around them. A DAISY DTB will provide access even to complex OU educational materials through a built-in accessible and navigable reading structure.
Question: Are there any other benefits for the OU to utilize DAISY DTB technology?
Yes. This new digital technology will enable the OU to output mp3 files, podcasts, Braille and large print files in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Question: Will this digital technology be available for all OU students?
Not at the present time. Only students with a declared disability are eligible for audio recordings of their course material, primarily due to copyright restrictions. Nonetheless, we believe that this economical system for making complex texts more accessible has immense potential for broader application by the OU.
Question: How long will the Digital Audio Project run?
For 3 years from March 2007 to February 2010.
Question: How do I find out how the Digital Audio Project is progressing?
Please visit the Recent News page to see how we’re getting on!
Question: Who is paying for the Digital Audio Project?
Funds allocated from the OU Foundation.
Question: How do I continue my research on this issue?
Please visit the Useful Links page for further information on disability issues and DAISY.
