An evaluation of the functionality and accessibility of e-readers for individuals with print disabilities

Maatta, Stephanie; Bonnici, Laurie J.

doi:10.1108/el-01-2013-0012

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…There is a decrease in reported concern in regard to equipment that lagged behind the ICT market. The researchers postulate this may be due to a combination of events over the past six years, including the increase of the accessibility features of mainstream technologies such as websites (Maatta Smith, 2014) and e-readers (Maatta and Bonnici, 2013) as well as the deployment of the new media players distributed by the NLS. However, some challenges were expressed in regard to decreases in budget impacting technology availability.…”

Section: Nls/bph Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Second national accessibility survey: librarians, patrons, and disabilities

et al. 2015

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Purpose – This study aims to determine the state of library services to people with disabilities in the USA since the last study conducted in 2008. Social capital theory provides a lens to reconceptualize equal access in a global context, and to offer insights on the effects of new information technologies for re-envisioning universal access. Strategic alliances with education and human–computer interaction researchers are proposed. Design/methodology/approach – Librarians serving the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH) were surveyed. Questions addressed clientele, services, technologies, career opportunities, leadership, library and information science (LIS) education and librarian demographics. Findings – Human resources, leadership, outreach and out-of-the-box solutions applying mainstream technologies are identified as major challenges to the future of information access for disabled persons through the NLS/BPH system. Research limitations/implications – The survey was limited to librarians serving the NLS/BPH. A similar survey distributed in other nations could expand the possibilities of future research and collaboration. Practical implications – Information from this survey can aid information professionals planning delivery of information services to disabled patrons. Suggestions for shifting from special access to universal access philosophy ensure access for all. Results can also help LIS educators prepare graduates to serve an aging population that will challenge standard methods of information access and services. Originality/value – This study provides the current perspective of services to persons with disabilities compared to findings by the researchers in 2008. Since the first survey in 2008, the service has been updated through a national effort of digitization. This study is the first comparative study of the NLS.

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Section: Nls/bph Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Second national accessibility survey: librarians, patrons, and disabilities

et al. 2015

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“…Many DETB are inaccessible due to the fact that most authors are oblivious about the accessibility guidelines for the visually impaired individuals (Lin, Chiou and Huang, 2013). They are not strictly abide by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 accessibility guidelines to make the DETB accessible before publishing them online and distributing them into the market (Maatta & Bonnici, 2014). There are rather limited adaptive technology or other forms of accessible devices that are not entirely compatible with the DETB content.…”

Section: Restrictions To Effective Use Of Adaptive Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of DETB with SRP amongst VIP at Tertiary Institutions in Malaysia

Chin¹,

Piragasam²

2021

IJARPED

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An exploratory use of adaptive technology particularly Digital Electronic Textbooks (DETB) with Screen Reading Programmes (SRP) amongst visually impaired students at tertiary education institutions in Malaysia. Visual blindness is among the disabilities that can adversely affect the learning of a student enrolled in a tertiary education institution. As such, adaptive technology devices have become essential tools for students with visual impairments. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore, describe, and interpret the experiences of students with visual impairments in using Digital Electronic Textbooks (DETB) with Screen Reading Programme (SRP) to assist their learning. The study is looking at what factors influence students with visual impairments to adopt or reject DETB with SRP. This is a qualitative study which involves the method of interview and observation. Finding shows that functionalities of certain adaptive technologies may influence the visually impaired students preference in adopting such devices. Meanwhile, all the direct benefits of the adaptive technology of DETB with SRP such as handy, portable, enhance reading understanding as well as support from parents, university administrators and lecturers, are among direct connection to the adoption. The main factors that negatively affected the adoption of DETB with SRP identified are the scarcity of DETB and accessibility conundrums such as graphics and images. Lack of familiarity and knowledge about the execution of DETB with SRP effectively is another influencing factor.

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“…While there remains a heavy focus on library websites in the accessibility literature, other types of online resources have come into question as well, including research databases (Blechner, 2015); online exhibits and collections of digitized and born-digital materials (Walker and Keenan, 2015; Xie et al , 2015; Sorrell et al , 2017; Babu and Xie, 2017); instructional objects (Oud, 2011; Wakimoto and Soules, 2011; Wray, 2013; Clossen, 2014; Clossen and Proces, 2017); archival finding aids (Southwell and Slater, 2012, 2013); e-books and e-readers (Maatta and Bonnici, 2014; Mune and Agee, 2016; Dobson and McNaught, 2017; Kahler, 2017; McNaught et al , 2018); digital talking books (Lundh and Johnson, 2015); live instruction sessions (Pionke, 2017a); and the widely-used Springshare platform LibGuides (Pionke and Manson, 2018). While many of these studies are good starting points and will serve as useful references for library practitioners concerned with approaching specific technologies from an accessibility perspective, it is impossible in some cases not to notice a persistent lack of direct engagement with users with diverse abilities.…”

Section: Evaluating Accessibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining, evaluating, and achieving accessible library resources

Kimura

2018

RSR

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the library and information science literature related to the accessibility of digital resources by individuals with mental, physical or other impairments, to assess the state of research in the field and to explore new avenues for investigation. Design/methodology/approach There is an increasingly rich body of literature surrounding digital accessibility in libraries, ranging from practical guides for authors of Web content, to principles of universal design, to the ethical considerations of libraries subscribing to packages of digital content, to critical examinations of the accessibility guidelines themselves. This review is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive; less attention is given to studies of specific tools that will become quickly outdated, and more attention is given to underlying considerations and approaches that will remain relevant even as technologies change. Findings Many libraries and vendors have taken steps to provide equal access to websites and electronic resources in recent years. While the literature reflects an increasing level of critical engagement with concepts around disability and diversity, it also demonstrates methodological weaknesses in assessment projects that do not lead to meaningful accessibility. Originality/value This review offers theoretical and practical perspectives from recent work that can assist librarians in planning and decision-making, as they deal with an increasingly complex landscape of digital resources.

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An evaluation of the functionality and accessibility of e-readers for individuals with print disabilities

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Second national accessibility survey: librarians, patrons, and disabilities

Second national accessibility survey: librarians, patrons, and disabilities

Adoption of DETB with SRP amongst VIP at Tertiary Institutions in Malaysia

Defining, evaluating, and achieving accessible library resources

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