DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information SYstem
and is a standard digital format for text, books, and
many types of printed material. DAISY makes text more accessible because
it allows the reader to not only see the
text on a computer screen, but to also hear
the text though the use of digital audio.
Text and audio are synchronized. The
materials also also fully navigable and
searchable through the use of proper
pagination and headings thus allow readers
to easily navigate through materials by jumping
between chapters, pages, or even key phrases.
The DAISY format greatly enhances the ability of persons with disabilities to access the printed word. People with visual, cognitive, or mobility impairments can use DAISY formatted reading materials to easily access their favorite novels, textbooks, or any other printed matter. Students with learning disabilities and other academic issues find DAISY to have great advantages over printed text because they can manipulate the visual and audio of the text to suit their learning style.
In addition, DAISY is preferred format for
the procurement and dissemination of
accessible digital materials for students
with print related disabilities as per the
2004 Reauthorization of the
Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act and the No Child
Left Behind legislation.
More information about the DAISY Talking
Book format and its applications for
learning can be found at the websites of the
International DAISY Consortium and
NIMAS at
CAST.
Digilife Media recommends the AMIS Daisy Reader tool.
