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Trial Of DAISY BooksDid you know what are DAISY talking books? Some of you may have heard of DAISY books but may not have an opportunity to try reading one. Maybe some of you don’t even know what is a DAISY book? Digital Accessible Information SYstem or DAISY digital talking books are for people who are unable to access print media. DAISY books are like regular audio books. The main difference is DAISY allows the users to navigate the books by selecting chapters, pages and headings and bookmark a point for later reference. For more information on DAISY, please check out www.daisy.org. DAISY books can be read on a portable DAISY player or a computer equipped with synthetic speech, Braille display or screen-magnification software. The Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) and the National Library Board (NLB) are conducting a trial on DAISY Talking Books. NLB has tasked SPD to convert 19 short stories into DAISY format. These short stories are written by Asian authors. SPD is now inviting people with disabilities to participate in the DAISY book trial. The trial will start from August to September 2010. Participants will have to read one book consisting of 5 to 6 short stories. After reading the short stories, participants will need to complete a simple feedback form in return for a small token of appreciation. Participants may choose to use their own reading devices e.g. Braille note and DAISY players or AMIS (a free DAISY reading software). SPD has a few DAISY reading devices which can be loaned to participants. As there are limited number of devices for loan, priority will given to participants who have no access to the computers i.e. AMIS. Participants will receive a CD Rom consisting of the DAISY books and AMIS DAISY reader. SPD will conduct training for all registered participants prior to the commencement of the trial. At the training, participants will learn how to read a DAISY books using AMIS and other DAISY reading devices. All participants are required to sign a letter of understanding to allow the use of their feedback for analysis purpose. And to agree that they will not disseminate the stories freely and to comply with copyright regulations. Participants’ personal particulars will be kept confidential and will not be released to external parties, including NLB. SAVH is supportive of the development of DAISY books in Singapore. We know that the availability of audio books in Singapore is currently limited. For those of us who are avid readers, there are so few options. By participating in this trial, we can help NLB to understand the reading needs of those with visual impairment. The development of more digital talking books will mean more reading options to our members. If you are interested to participate in this trial, please contact us lena@savh.org.sg or 62514331 extension 127 or 131by August 5, 2010.
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