Occurrences

Paper

../papers/02-01-06/02-01-06.html

Date of Presentation

Tuesday, 21 May

Time of Presentation

16.45

Presentation Level

In-The-Middle

Abstract

XML by design was created to help manage the same content with many different formatting or publication options. This leads to a number of situations in which XML could help various people with handicaps, not least among them people with visual impairments, for whom large print, Braille, audio and/or a combination of the three, might be the only way to access the content of a printed book. The Dutch Library for the Blind approached Dutch prepress technology firm Mediasystemen with the need to support enhanced formats through a single-source, XML based system. Custom development involving the Digital Talking Book followed, creating a solution that other, similar libraries could employ to increase the range and efficiency of their content transformation activities. Most unique in the system that emerged is the ability to support Braille output through specialized printers. The flexibility of the system, which allows editing at any point in the workflow, as well as its use of a Word interface for editing in XML, makes it a broadly appealing solution for any situation where published output needs to support visually impaired audiences.