The CNIB Digital Library
Posted
Feb 10 2009, 04:49 PM
by
Microsoft Canada Co.
Until recently, the three million Canadians who can't read print because of a disability had to depend on outdated technology to access reading materials. CNIB would mail braille and audio books to its library clients across the country, who would then ship the books back to be re-circulated. The CNIB was creating audio books using obsolete equipment and nothing was being produced digitally. Production was slow while demand for books was increasing.
In 2002, everything changed for Canadians with vision loss and other print disabilities. Microsoft Canada partnered with the CNIB to digitize its library and for the first time, people with vision loss could access thousands of books, magazines, and daily newspapers online. They could download an electronic braille book or read an audio book right from their computer and could finally read a newspaper the same day it was published.
In 2008, the CNIB Library introduced an "on demand" service for audio books. Those who want a CD to read a book on a portable digital player receive a copy right away. No more waiting for copies to be returned by another client to the Library, no more broken or inaudible tapes.
"For those of us with vision loss, the digital age is as revolutionary as the printing press," says CNIB President and CEO, Jim Sanders. "Less than ten years ago I had access to less than five percent of the information that crossed my desk. Today I manage 95 percent thanks to technology that makes access to information possible."
"I have a deep appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful services offered at The CNIB Library. I have been very fortunate to have been a regular client ever since I immigrated to Canada in 1994. The greatest service that the CNIB provides is the availability of digital audio books online. It has helped to expand my reading interests and knowledge. We seem to be able to read what we like, when we like - no more losses of books, delays in mail delivery, or extended waiting lists." - Quyen Le, CNIB Library Client
How the Library helps children access the Internet
For children with vision loss, many web sites are inaccessible. The Children's Discovery Portal was created to help change that. A part of the CNIB Digital Library, the Portal allows kids with vision loss to interact with other children through an accessible chat room, games and contests. Children using the portal also receive instant access to age-appropriate books and resources for leisure reading and homework help.
In 2002, Microsoft Canada and Bill Gates were awarded the Louis Braille Gold Medal for Microsoft's contribution to the development of The CNIB Digital Library and Children's Discovery Portal.
The library keeps growing
The CNIB Digital Library is the most advanced library of alternative-format materials in the world and a model for 175 international libraries producing alternative-format information. In 2004, Microsoft hosted a Global Library Summit and offered the platform solution at no cost to system integrators who operate alternative-format libraries worldwide.
In 2008, Microsoft Corp. joined Sonata Software Ltd. and the DAISY Consortium to launch the free "Save as DAISY XML" add-in to Microsoft Office Word documents. The software allows users to convert Word documents into digital talking text - a change that will improve access to information for more than 160 million people worldwide living with significant vision loss.
Click here to visit the CNIB Digital Library.
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