Streaming Audio Project (Talking Books)

The aim of this project is to investigate better ways of providing books and other written information to disabled people.

Current alternative formats including Braille, Large print, and Audio Tape, provide equal access to information but do have some downsides. For example, a typical printed book can become several volumes when it is translated into Braille or large print and it is often difficult to find the page you want on an audio tape. New technology has given disabled people other options such as CD's and audio files. These options are usually easier to use and have better sound quality.

In 2005 the National Library for the Blind (NLB) lead on a project to look at the possibility of increasing the range of books and formats available to visually impaired people. The project supported by BT and run in partnership with Dolphin Technology assessed providing books on CDROM in a "Daisy" format. This allowed the books to be read out in a synthetic voice, giving the reader easy access to navigation for the whole text. 400 visually impaired PC users took part in the trial and were given access to 20 different books provided in the Daisy format.

Following on from the initial trial the NLB and BT are now considering the benefits of using broadband to deliver information directly to the user. We believe that this could provide great opportunities for converting printed information such as product user guides into voice at the touch of a button. The project is in its early stages and a basic trial system has been set up to assess the needs of visually impaired and other disabled users. Please visit this section again for updates on this trial.