BRAILLENET A Digital Document Delivery for the Blind

BRAILLENET A Digital Document Delivery for the Blind in France Dominique Burger, INSERM U 483 – Inova 9, quai Saint-Bernard, 75252 – Paris cedex 05 dburger@snv. jussieu. fr IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Braille. Net • Association created in 1997 (Non Governmental Organization) • To promote the use of the Internet as a tool for integration • Grouping around 50 organizations (associations, schools, laboratories, companies) • Members in France, but also in Canada, Switzerland, . . • Coordinated by INSERM at University Paris 6 IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Braille. Net Actions • Technical assistance : giving support to schools and public libraries, training, . . . • Web Accessibility : participating in WAI, campaigning in France, developing expertise • Participating in R&D projects (IST SEDODEL, TIM, WAIDA, VICKIE) • Developing a digital library www. braillenet. org IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Visually Impaired People in Europe • In France – 70 000 persons are blind – 1 200 000 have a low vision ( according to INSEE ) • In Europe – 1 000 persons are blind – 13 000 have a low vision ( according to RNIB ) IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

New avenues for accessing books • Digital techniques provide visually impaired people (VIP) with alternative solutions for accessing information (Electronic display units, refreshable Braille, speech synthesis, special keyboards) • The Internet creates a World Wide Virtual Library • Standardisation of structured formats (PDF, SGML, HTML, XML, DAISY…) IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

A great variety of needs • Adapted visual presentations – font, size, colour, contrast, . . • Braille presentations – paper, refreshable – grade I or II • Audio presentations – human, synthetic speech • Technical platform – computer, Operating System – access technology IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

A General Scheme for Producing Adapted Documents INTERFACE Structured Electronic Document Source Print E-book Audio book Braille A part of the maimstream publishing scheme … IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

The Helene Server Exploratory action • Pilot Project launched in 1999 (contacts with Linz University) Partners · Institut National de la Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) · Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) · Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles (INJA) · Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6 (UPMC) IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

What can be found on Helene • Books in the Public Domain A search engine collects accessible books on the Web. • Adapted sources of books The server Hélène collects files prepared by schools for Braille printing. • Original files Publishers provide original files, thqt are stored on an highly secured server for further adaptation by transcription centres. IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Who can access it ? • Books in the Public Domain -> Anybody • Adapted sources of books -> Specialized Printing Centres • Original files -> Adaptation Centres IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Results • The Helen server was opened as a pilot service in May 2000 • More than 1200 books in the Public Domain • Nearly 500 under copyrights • Feasability demonstrated conclusions … IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

1 - A Need for Standard Formats. txt, . doc, . rtf, . html, Quark Xpress, … Candidates ? Braille. Star Duxburry Abrotext IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington - Large print

2 - Human expertise still needed • • Text Images Curves Formulas Tables Music … For complex and composite documents human expertise is needed IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

3 - Renewing tools and methods • A adaptation software (accept standard formats, customisation features, multilingual, reversible, …) • A unique catalogue on the Web created by the INJA (around 60 000 references) • An Internet server to monitor the transcription work made in different centres www. inja. fr IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

4 - Copyright issues • In France permission of right owners needed • Publishers want : – Clear guarantees – An unique organisation negociating – Zero cost • => A simple contract is accepted IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

5 - Cooperation with publishers • Model contract validated by their union • Cooperation easier with publishers involved in digital publishing • Accessibility recommendations could be incorporated in electronic sources • Defining an economic model IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

6 - Public programmes for book digitisation • Should use/promote accessible formats • Public Web Libraries should be accessible (welcome pages, catalogues, …) Web Accessibility Initiative IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -

Prospects • Developing a permanent service in France A national body could be set up for that (CNEA) • International Cooperation seeked – French speaking countries – To involve southern countries : OFAEL – Worldwide technical harmonization • IFLA may act as a catalyst IFLA Pre Conference - Section of Libraries for the Blind - Washington -