This session from Craig Mill from the JISC RSC-NE – about making e-documents accessible…

Create and Convert is a tool to create accessible alternative formats using open source and free s/w applications.

Free tool – converts Word and Open Writer docs into accessibe/inclusive formats. Background is complying with the Single Equalities legislation – which requires ‘reasonable adjustments’. It makes use of open source programs from the DAISY consortium. Craig has basically bundled the resources from DAISY (the DAISY consortium contacted Craig having seen his work and now endorse the tool)

What does Create and Convert do?
Promotes good practice with Word and Open Writer
Helps to create accessible documents (Word bar)
Converts to alternative formats:

• Daisy Talking Book – audio book (DTB)
• Text to audio
• Braille
• Large print
• Synchronise audio/narration with text to DTB

DTB – accessible audio book – allows rich functionality – book marks; page numbers; chapter headings
Navigation features are essential for accessibility – if you just have one long MP3 of audio, no chance for navigation.

Publication process for DAISY is to convert Word/Open Writer into xml and then to Daisy format – and tools to do this can be expensive. Craig wanted to create a tool which allowed this to be done easily – without the need for any special skills or knowledge.

Tool includes tutorials; examples, and a Word toolbar to aid with creation of accessible formats. (not sure which versions of Word this works with?)

The narration option looks very nice – be interesting to look at this for children’s books – OU app?

Create & Convert available from http://www.eduapps.org

I asked a Q about using Daisy as opposed to epub/Mobi etc. (as feel these are going to be usable by more ppl) – Craig says Daisy 3 is attempt to bring standards together – should be usable on many devices