Acapela Group gives a voice to different products and services by inventing voice solutions to let the content speak for itself. Acapela Group enriches user interfaces in a natural and intuitive way with the help of their latest technologies. Acapela has a long and rich history of focusing on accessibility issues. The company remains deeply involved in improving the daily life of thousands of users around the globe. Acapela Text-to-Speech demo.
AEL Data was established 2001 by a group of IT professionals with several decades of experience in IT and data conversion. AEl Data produces DAISY talking books from any source - printed text, microfilms or digital images.
AMIS is free open source DAISY playback software developed by the DAISY Consortium. Highlights of AMIS include its self-voicing interface, playback rate control, text searching and bookmarking, reading options, and page style customization. AMIS is available in multiple languages.
AMIS runs on Windows and supports DAISY 2.02 and DAISY/NISO-2005 books. Learn more about AMIS, DAISY Software Player and download AMIS at the AMIS project page on the DAISY Consortium website.
ZedVal, also known as the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Validator, is a DAISY 3 content validator. It is an open source development project, and is available free of charge to everyone. It is designed to validate Audio NCX books to support their conformance with DAISY 3, officially the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Standard.
This version fixes an issue that caused books containing the MathML 'annotation' element to be incorrectly reported as invalid.
Book Wizard Producer by APH is full-featured production software that provides options for both original recording and import of existing audio and HTML text files. When you create a digital talking book with Book Wizard Producer, the program uses the DAISY/NISO Z39.86-2002 format. Book Wizard Producer provides options for both original recording and import of existing audio and HTML text files.
Book Wizard Reader, software from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), offers users the ability to read both DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3, ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 digital talking books. Review the manual, download a demonstration copy, or purchase the software by going to the APH website.
The Book Port DT is ideal for reading Digital Talking Books. Record or edit your own material in Digital Talking Book format. Enjoy listening to internet radio or downloading podcasts for education or entertainment.
Loaded with many of the same features as the hand-held Book Port Plus, the Book Port DT is a desktop-style Digital Talking Book player and recorder. Now it also supports DAISY Online Delivery. This service utilizes the features of the new Book Port DT to provide users the ability to find, download and play DAISY content without the need for a computer. More information is provided on the APH website.
Main features:
More information is available on the American Printing House for the Blind website.
Main improvement: BookPort Plus starts taking advantage of the wireless network hardware built into every Book Port Plus player. More information is available on the American Printing House for the Blind website.
The BookSense DS is the choice for educators, students, people with neuropathy, and any blind or visually impaired person who wants to easily access music, books and documents. The BookSense DS is easy to carry and easy to handle. BookSense supports DAISY 2.0/2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 (DAISY 3.0), NIMAS1.1 as well as NLS, Bookshare.org, Serotec(SAMNet), Learning Ally, EPUB and Open Library content.
BookSense plays various types of audio and DAISY content as well as NLS, Learning Ally and Bookshare books. BookSense supports variety of document formats: txt, rtf, doc, docx, html, brl, brf. BookSense features quality recording and one touch date and time checking. BookSense XT comes with Bluetooth, FM radio and built in 4GB flash memory. More information is available on the official BookSense website.
Bookshare™ is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities. Bookshare offers accessible digital books, textbooks, teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology tools. Read one of the Bookshare user stories.
The Braille Plus 18 handheld device allows users to read books, write class assignments, scan documents, search the web, keep track of appointments, find directions, record lectures, listen to pod casts and run Android™ apps.
Download books and periodicals from the National Library Service (NLS), Learning Ally, and Bookshare. Read using the refreshable braille display or natural speech. This player supports Word, txt, html and DAISY. More info on the APH website.
The Braille Sense OnHand is the smallest and lightest Braille notetaker offering a crisp and responsive 18 cell refreshable Braille display. The Braille Sense OnHand is also the first Braille notetaker to boast a built-in digital compass and GPS receiver making it an ideal way-finding and orientation solution. Boost your productivity, stay connected and travel with confidence using the portable yet powerful Braille Sense OnHand. The Braille Sense OnHand gives you the ability to play music, read DAISY books, record meetings directly in MP3 format and listen to the FM radio. More information is available on the BrailleSense OnHand page.
Version 8.0 brings significant improvements to the BrailleSense OnHand Media and DAISY player including pitch control and intuitive menu structure. More information is provided on the HIMS website.
Web-based DAISY player ButtercupReader makes DAISY multimedia available to anyone with a browser. First you need to install Silverlight 2. Enables Text-to-Speech and Self Voicing (Internet Explorer only). ButtercupReader uses the Microsoft Speech API (SAPI) to enable self-voicing through text-to-speech. For this to work within your browser you will need to make a small change to your security settings. It is an early demo of a web based application which enables you to read, listen to and navigate through DAISY digital talking books online.
It is an early demo of a web based application which enables users to read, listen to and navigate through DAISY 3 digital talking books online.
Project ButtercupReader was developed by software firm Intergen in conjunction with Microsoft. It provides a showcase of the use of Microsoft Silverlight to build rich and accessible browser based applications. Intergen worked closely with Adaptive Technology experts from the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind to ensure that ButtercupReader provided a highly accessible experience for users with a wide range of print disabilities.
More information is available on the ButtercupReader project website.
A CSS stylesheet that may be used with DTBook documents is located at www.daisy.org/z3986/2005/dtbook.2005.basic.css. This CSS is supported and maintained by the Z39.86 committee. You may modify and redistribute it, but please consider donating enhancements back to the source.
This is a collaborative project to create an open-source electronic book reader that will support various formats including DAISY and EPUB content. Currently the software is limited to supporting DAISY 2.02 format 'Talking Books'. DAISY / EPUB reader requires a minimum of version 1.5 of Android (also known as 'cupcake'). When the application is installed on a device with version 1.6 or later with TalkBack installed, the navigation of files and folders on the SD card is spoken. The application can be downloaded from the Downloads section of the project site: http://code.google.com/p/android-daisy-epub-reader/downloads/list.
The DAISY Regenerator is a software tool designed to enable organizations to repair and upgrade existing DAISY 2.0 and 2.02 DTBs.
The tool takes a DAISY 2.0 or 2.02 DTB as input, and performs a series of operations on it in order to output a valid DAISY 2.02 DTB.
Features include:
Why use the Regenerator?
The Regenerator works together with the DAISY 2.02 Validator. After regeneration has been done, the DTB can be automatically validated, to ensure that no errors or inconsistencies remain.
During the validation process, the software applies a series of conformance tests to the DTB. It compares the data in the DAISY content to the requirements and recommendations of the DAISY 2.02 Specification. The Validator is testing for two things: if the DAISY DTB is readable (if it will play correctly), and if it is conformant. In conformance testing, possible violations to specifications are checked, regardless of their impact on the readability of the book. For example, information (metadata) such as book identifier or author are mandatory in the Specification.
The results of the validation process are divided into two groups: errors and warnings. For details about the DAISY 2.02 Validator, please read its manual carefully.
The DAISY 2.02 Validator is developed in an open source context.
DAISY Training Manual for DAISY Members using LpStudioPro & SigtunaDAR.
Note: The download link only appears if you are logged in and are associated with a DAISY Member Organization.
A comprehensive DAISY Glossary of terms has been compiled and is being updated.
Older versions are available as listed below, or search the DAISY site for 'glossary'.
The Daisy mark-up service (DMS) from xml-tekst in Denmark is a web-based tool, that will insert mark-up automatically, based on just a few markers inserted by the user in a word document from a scanner.
After the first upload of the document, DMS will return the original document with
The user can apply corrections and the remaining mark-up in the document. After a second upload of the corrected document, DMS will return an xml-file in the DTBook format. Individual users can use the service free of charge. Large-scale users will have to negotiate a small fee per page. More information is available on the xml-tekst website.
(formerly DMFC - the DAISY MultiFormat Converter)
DAISY production is being implemented in more organizations and companies around the world at an ever increasing rate, and the DAISY Standards continue to evolve. To meet the resulting production and conversion demands, the DAISY Consortium has hosted the development of the DAISY Pipeline, a suite of cross platform tools designed to meet these needs and to support both production and distribution.
The DAISY Pipeline is a DTB and XML-oriented transformation pipeline designed to be used in both server-side and desktop environments.
Additional information and links are available in the DAISY Pipeline Project area of the DAISY website.
DAISY Producer was developed by Christian Egli from the Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is a system for managing the production process of accessible media. It assumes that users are transforming the content from hard copy or any electronic format to DTBook XML. Once users have the DTBook XML, the DAISY Pipeline and liblouis can be used to generate DAISY Talking Books, Large Print and Braille in a fully automated way. Documentation and download are available on the DAISY Producer website.
The optional features described in the DAISY 2.02, have not yet been implemented in all production tools or in playback systems. Several Members of the DAISY Consortium serving students have been extremely vocal about the need for this feature.
These technical individuals in collaboration with the technical DAISY staff have developed a strategy to implement these features that is completely independent of LpStudio/Pro or Sigtuna DAR.
Organizations who wish to implement these features would be required to include additional markup in their source files and to use a post processing tool - The Skippability Tweaker - on the completed project to add this functionality.
The Skippability Tweaker supports adding these features to both NCC-Only and Full Text DTBs. Supported skippable structures are pagenumbers, sidebars, producer notes and footnotes.
Full search and play functionality for mobile platform:
Developed by Dedicon, designed to work with both - iPhone and iPad. Available from iTunes. Languages: English, Dutch, French, German.
DaisyWorm, developed by the Association for the Blind of Western Australia is a DAISY digital talking book playback app for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This application can be used to play books from the Association for the Blind of Western Australia library as well as other talking book libraries worldwide. DaisyWorm supports the playback of non-encrypted DAISY 2.02, DAISY/NISO z3986 audio only and full text full audio books. For support in using DaisyWorm please contact developers at dtb(at)guidedogswa.com.au. DaisyWorm can be purchased from the Apple iTunes Store.
Darwin Reader presents numerous options to tailor the application to your specific needs. Users can change the font and background color, text size, font spacing, voice speed, punctuation speech, and much more. Darwin Reader fully supports DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3.0 formats - read full-text, full-audio, and combined books.
Improved support for Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Explore-by-touch mode and a background playback preference have been added. Available for purchase on Google Play.
Dolphin Publisher is the premier tool for creating professional DAISY digital talking books with human narration or synthetic voices.
SaySo highlights the words as they are spoken, helping users to focus and build their understanding of the text. Sit back, read and absorb an entire report or just hear a tricky sentence while researching online. SaySo will also read your emails.
In v1.03, Dolphin has changed the way audio-only DAISY books are displayed in Bookshelf, making it clearer to users that the book does not contain any text. A full list of improvements is available on the Dolphin Computer Access website.
The completely re-engineered web support in SuperNova version 13 substantially reduces the time taken for a blind person to browse busy web sites. Additional keystrokes instantly navigate to particular parts of web pages. SuperNova version 13 also implements initial support for Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) a set of web authoring techniques being developed by the international Web Accessibility Initiative.
Includes Dolphin's new Plug and Play-type connectivity for dozens of USB Braille displays. Several fixes have been applied to SuperNova's new Internet Explorer support originally released in version 13.01. Initial support for Adobe Reader version 11 has been introduced. Many other general stability and performance improvements benefiting magnification, speech and Braille. More information is available on the Dolphin Computer Access website.
This DAISY 3 reading software was developed by the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind in Brazil and is free to use and share. The DAISY books can be read by synthesized voice, pre-recorded narration, or text only. The DDR DAISY reading software can be downloaded in 3 different language versions: English, Español, and Português (Note: DDR is the first free Portuguese DAISY 3.0 reader).
DDR is designed as an add-on to the Firefox browser and is available from the Firefox add-on site. Links to DDReader tutorials in each language are also available on the download page and are included in the add-on (press T for tutorial on any DDR mode).
DDR is designed as a Firefox add-on. For support, please go to the DDReader home page.
DTB Splitter/Merger is a tool for handling (splitting/merging) multi-volume DTBooks (Digital Talking Books) in DAISY 2.02 or DAISY 3 format.
DTBMaker is a set of open source cross-platform tools for the production of DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 titles either locally or by using our free online production site.
DTB2iTunes is a program used to combine all of the audio files of DAISY DTB into a single MP3 file or iTune Audiobook format and upload it to your iTunes or other MP3 application.
It is assumed that the DAISY DTB MP3 files are named in such a way that they will come together in order, are in MP3 format and are not encrypted in any way.
DAISY DTBs produced by DTBMaker 2.0 will be named in this way. Other DAISY DTBs may be this way as well. DAISY DTB MP3 files produced by Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and the National Library Service are not in page order and this program will not work for them.
A new feature in DTB2iTunes is that it will now attempt to read a chaptertool.xml file if one is included with the book. If one is found, DTB2iTunes will use it to mark all the navigation points in the book in the audio book created. The current version of DTBMaker for Macintosh will create a chaptertool.xml file each time it produces a book. This permits users to jump to any navigation point in the audiobook file when used on an iPod.
DTB2iTunes is a program used to combine all of the audio files of a DAISY DTB into a single MP3 file or iTune Audiobook format and upload it to your iTunes or other MP3 application.
Duxbury Braille Translator™ (DBT) Version 10.7 (Released June 2008) includes support for direct import of Microsoft Word documents containing mathematical equations created with MathType™. This improvement will allow users to author math with MathType in MS Word and then translate those materials to braille via DBT for Windows.
Duxbury Systems, Inc. and Design Science, Inc. collaborated on Duxbury Braille Translator™ (DBT) version 10.7 with support for direct import of Microsoft Word documents containing mathematical equations created with MathType™.
For more information, see the Design Science Press Release.
EasyConverter is designed for use in schools, colleges, universities, small or large companies and government organisations. It is simple to use for those with no altformat creation experience, and is equally suited to experienced professionals looking for a single flexible high quality altformat creation tool to meet the needs of dyslexic, visually impaired and learning disabled students.
Key Benefits:
Version 5.06 comes with Braille output fixes. Other fixes: Improvements to DAISY and large print modules and improvements to adding alternative text descriptions to images. More info can be found on the Dolphin Computer Access website.
(Formerly Dolphin Producer)
Dolphin's EasyProducer converts standard Word files into DAISY digital talking books (synchronised audio and text) that can be searched and navigated.
EasyReader is an accessible talking book reader software, allowing readers to read and listen to content through a combination of text, speech and images. Mattias Karlsson explains: “Students of all ages extract information from books and cite them in their own work. A reader with a vision impairment or learning disability such as dyslexia is no different. With version 6, learners can now select and copy text from the EasyReader reading window, ready to paste into Microsoft Word, or whatever their preferred application may be".
Version 6.02 includes a healthy mix of new features and improved functionality to provide a more seamless reading experience for readers with visual impairments and dyslexia. More information can be found on the Dolphin Computer Access website.
Olav Indergaard explains the benefits that the Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille (NLB) have experienced in adding EasyReader Express to their DAISY talking books: "NLB (The Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille) has been a provider of DAISY-content for several years. One of our challenges as a DAISY-content provider has been to ensure that our users have access to DAISY-playback systems in order to fully utilize the DAISY-format. NLB therefore decided to provide DAISY-player software to all our users by including a DAISY-player in all our books. EasyReader Express was the software of choice." More information is available on the Dolphin Computer Access website.
eClipseReader is a PC application for the DAISY 2.02, and DAISY/NISO 2002 and 2005 formats, supporting Windows 98/ME/2000 and XP operating systems.
eClipseReader plays audio DAISY books and reads text-only DAISY media using SAPI 5 TTS voices in all supported DAISY formats. Audio formats include: WAV, MP3, WMA and ASF audio. eClipseReader is also a Text Document Reader. All text-only media is read with SAPI 5 Text-to-Speech Voices. EClipseReader's flexible user interface can be customized to suit the needs of sighted users preferring point and click graphic controls and the visually impaired through its self voicing hotkeys and menu system. In multi-user mode, eClipseReader is a great solution for schools and libraries. Individuals may login on a single computer and maintain their own library of books, text notes, bookmarks, and operational preferences. Site and district licensing will be made available.
eClipseWriter Personal Edition
eClipseWriter Personal Edition is an affordable and innovative software application from I.R.T.I. that reduces the cost and eliminates the wait time associated with creating accessible media. eClipseWriter can turn virtually any electronic text document into a DAISY Digital Talking Book. eClipseWriter lets you make accessible media when you want it, and when you need it, without any reliance on third parties.
With eClipseWriter you insert simple heading and page navigation markers into a document, press a button and eClipseWriter does the rest. Text is automatically turned into speech, and for more sophisticated uses you can also insert graphics, animations and pre-recorded audio files! eClipseWriter even has a built in talking word processor to help you prepare your text.
Easily share DAISY media using our unique DTB-DNA feature. DTB-DNA lets you send a tiny file containing the instructions required to build a Digital Talking Book to another eClipseWriter user. The recipient simply opens the DTB-DNA file and builds an identical copy of the original talking book. DTB-DNA files are so small they can easily be sent as e-mail attachments even over dial-up connections.
EclipseWriter Personal Edition includes a personal use license for the NeoSpeech VoiceText speech synthesis application to produce natural sounding voices from text, as well as eClipseReader, our next generation DAISY reading tool, at no extra charge!
eClipseWriter Professional
eClipseWriter Professional includes a DAISY recorder identical to the personal edition, but supports audio format MP3.
Both eClipseWriter Pro and eClipseWriter Personal include support for the latest talking book standards including: DAISY/NISO 2005 text and audio books and NIMAS format output, the National Instruction Material Accessibility Standard.
For more information or to download a demonstration copy of eClipseWriter call I.R.T.I. toll free in the United States at 800.322.4784 or visit the website.
eClipseWriter and eClipseWriter Professional from IRTI: eClipseWriter Professional is a self-voicing word processor, scanning and reading system that creates DAISY media for personal use. eClipseWriter and eClipseWriter Professional now offer four different user interfaces tailored to address different applications:
Complete details and download links are provided on the IRTI website.
Emerson is a cross-platform audio DTB player. Currently it does not support text-only DTBs and it supports only MP3 encoded DTBs. The DAISY formats supported: DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 Version 2005 (formally ANSI/NISO Z3986-2005).
gh, LLC offers several conversion services for accessible media. These services include Braille, Tactile Graphics, Large Print, Digital Talking Books, and other electronic media. gh produces high quality DTBs to meet customers' needs. They offer phonetic markup to improve TTS playback, full use of all DTB features, and fast turnaround. With gh DTBs and feature-rich playback software, persons with print-disabilities can read books with ease, save time finding information, benefit from flexible reading solutions, and improve reading productivity. Read more on the gh,LLC website.
Go Read is a free, open source eBook reader for Android.
Access and download books directly from Bookshare (must be a Bookshare member to download). Read with voiced navigation and text-to-speech in DAISY and EPUB formats. Available from Google Play.
The ClassMate Reader is a unique, portable and lightweight system about the size of a portable gaming system with a large LCD screen. Students can listen to the audio version of their textbooks and study materials, while following the highlighted text on screen. This portable system is ideal for students in any learning setting, including the classroom, resource room, library, extended learning programs and at home. The system promotes phonetic recognition and fluency and will significantly boost the support of teachers who work with students with learning disabilities.
It has several features only found on PC-based software solutions such as text-to-speech, highlighting, dictionary, text and vocal notes and audio book navigation. The ClassMate Reader now supports a wide variety of electronic formats, including DAISY, NIMAS (National Instructional Material Accessible Standard) format, Bookshare.org, Audible.com, text, wav, MP3 and audio file formats. The player also provides integrated text-to-speech for reading books in text format. It uses a removable SD flash memory card or USB memory stick to store the electronic files. It can transfer files from a PC with a standard USB connection.
The Stream Companion software has been renamed to HumanWare Companion because this software now supports both of the HumanWare digital talking book players: Victor Reader Stream and ClassMate Reader. Users do not need to uninstall the previous version of Stream Companion or ClassMate Companion. Previous programs can remain on your computer along with the new HumanWare Companion. Once you are familiar with the new HumanWare Companion, you can then remove the old Stream or ClassMate Companion using the Windows Add/Remove option of Control Panel. HumanWare Companion can be downloaded from the HumanWare website.
The ida-reader reads aloud digital content from a variety of file formats or original book pages, highlighting the text as it is being read aloud. It has plenty of attractive features, which have been incorporated keeping in mind the special needs of the people faced with challenges when reading text, such as dyslexia.
The Intel Reader, about the size of a paperback book, converts printed text to digital text, and then reads it aloud to the user.
Now available at a lower price! Unique design combines e-reader with a high-resolution camera, allowing users to point, shoot and listen to printed text. Supported file formats: DAISY 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 (DAISY 3), NIMAS 1.0/1.1, MP3, WAV and ASCII text. More information is available on the HumanWare website.
The IVEO® Hands-on-Learning from viewplus Technologies enables learning through touch, sound, and sight. IVEO® lets you use any one, two, or all three of these learning modalities together to learn faster and retain longer. This tool makes learning structured concepts more engaging and inclusive. IVEO® includes sounds, speech or links, in objects to further stimulate learning. It is compatible with DAISY SVG plug-in.
IVEO is for those who learn better with touch, sound, and sight combined, thus utilizing any or all three learning modalities to learn faster and retain longer. A free IVEO viewer, compatible with DAISY SVG plug-in, is available from ViewPlus Technologies.
IVONA is committed to making a difference in the lives of millions of visually impaired persons by enabling easy access to digital information and entertainment. To further that mission, they have introduced IVONA Accessibility Packages in English (British or American), German, French, Spanish (Castilian and American), Polish and Romanian. These comprehensive and reliable solutions will provide affordable access to computer and Internet resources for work, recreation, and communications.
IVONA Accessibility Packages include the award-winning, high quality Text-To-Speech Voices, delivering high intelligibility (capable of 4X acceleration with no loss in quality), rapid responsiveness, and the IVONA Reader − plus a free, pre-configured NVDA screenreader, the open source solution developed by the NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) Project. More information is available on the IVONA Software website.
IVONA TTS is a program developed by IVONA Software converting text to speech. It is used in many trades and market segments. Its technological potential, high speech quality comparable with human speech, variety of voices, and licenses contribute to the fact that it is used by both large corporations and small enterprises as well as non-profit organizations. Sample IVONA voices.
The Korean Braille Library has developed the KBLL Reader 1.0 with the Sims Line, a software developing company in Korea.
KBLL Reader supports only audio and NCC DAISY books. The software is able to set book marking, control speed and volume, and allows the reader to move to chapter, page, or sentence. KBLL Reader can also search word and number (for instance page).
If you close the KBLL Reader to end reading, it automatically says the end page of reading. If a user uses KBLL Reader in a common place, like a library or school, this function is very useful. Because many users use KBLL Reader together, nobody set book marking.
We provide KBLL Reader to users, libraries and schools free of charge. Everybody can download KBLL Reader free of charge, at http://infor.kbll.or.kr/.
KBLL Reader currently supports only Korean, so we are considering supporting other languages. We also are considering having KBLL Reader 2.0 support audio and full text.
For more information, send email to youk@kbll.or.kr.
Learning Ally (formerly RFB&D) is one of the leading producers of accessible textbooks in the United States. Their membership is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities. Their recording technologies have kept pace with the times. Digital audio technology was introduced to Learning Ally members in the fall of 2002. Their AudioPlus® digitally recorded textbooks provide members with unprecedented independence through their extraordinary portability and ability to be navigated by page, chapter or section at the press of a button.
Gain instant access to RFB&D’s (now Learning Ally) downloadable DAISY formatted books. Learning Ally members can explore Learning Ally’s extensive library of more than 65,000 audiobooks that are designed for people with print and learning disabilities. Learning Ally Audio application for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is available to individuals via the Apple iTunes store. Learning Ally online account is required to use the product, which offers advanced features for accessibility like bookmarking, chapter and page navigation, last position playback, variable speed control and more.
The Learning Ally app now allows users to download books directly to their device without passing through iTunes. More information is available on the Learning Ally website.
With the release of Dolphin Audio Publishing's EasePublisher, this software is no longer being featured. For inquiries regarding product support, licensing, and the like, please contact Dolphin Audio Publishing.
LpStudio/Pro is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium. The software is typically used in larger organizations with text production departments and audio recording departments. It is also usable in a singular context as a stand-alone tool, using the included Structure Editor to create NCC-only structures.
The software provides extensive features when producing full text Digital Talking Books using external source documents. The user has extensive functionality and flexibility when working in recording windows. Two recording screen options are available -- Advanced and Simple.
For more information, please use the Contact Us form, selecting the General category.
MathDaisy works with Microsoft Word, the Save As DAISY add-in for Microsoft Word, and MathType. Save As DAISY add-in installation adds a \Save As DAISY\ menu item to Word's File menu. This command saves the document as a DAISY Digital Talking Book. MathDaisy enhances the Word-to-DAISY conversion process, converting the equations in the document to MathML as required by the DAISY format. If the original document contains mathematical equations, then users will need to install the MathDaisy add-in to add support for mathematical equations, making them accessible to students, teachers, engineers, and scientists with disabilities.
MathDaisy is Design Science's add-in for both the DAISY Pipeline and the Save As DAISY Microsoft add-in for Microsoft Word. If the original document contains mathematical equations, then users will need to install the MathDaisy add-in to add support for mathematical equations, making them accessible to students, teachers, engineers, and scientists with disabilities.
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of the .NET Framework for building and delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIA) for the Web. Silverlight unifies the capabilities of the server, the Web, and the desktop, of managed code and dynamic languages, of declarative and traditional programming, and the power of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). Accessibility concepts in Silverlight programming and development can be divided into two areas: accessibility for Silverlight application authors who are using existing controls in their application UI, and accessibility for custom control authors. Read more: Silverlight Accessibility Overview.
Milestone 212 is a Book Reader which opens the world of digital talking books. The newest member of the Milestone family of media players focuses on simplicity. In this spirit the device is reduced to the most important functions, and performs very strong on those. It now supports the playback of DAISY 2.02 and 3, EPUB, MP3, WMA, Word DOC, AA(X), AAC and TXT files.
The latest update improves the starting reliability to charge and connect the unit to the computer. Details are available on the Bones website.
The Milestone 312 from Bones GmbH is the smallest MP3/DAISY Player/voice recorder on the market. Functionalities include audio books player, MP3/AAC player, voice recorder, FM tuner/recorder, alarm clock and RFID tag reader, all integrated into 50 grams, in the size of a credit card.
Milestone 312 uses the MP3/AAC/WMA decoder software from DSP Spirit, providing excellent sound quality. It is very configurable to support a variety of reading and listening needs. Functions not used, not purchased or not desired can be disabled/enabled.
DAISY: This pocket-size device provides full access to heading levels, page numbers, phrases, etc. It also supports bookmark setting and switch between books on the memory card.
MP3: The Milestone 312 provides accessible MP3 navigation, supported by audible prompts. Folder names can be tagged with recorded voice.
Voice Recorder: The Milestone's small internal speaker produces crisp, clear audio even in noisy environments. The RFID tag reader allows users to tag and identify daily living objects such as medications, CD's, and food labels.
Milestone 312 has 1 Gigabyte internal memory plus an SD card interface for up to 32 Gigabytes storage. Both work in parallel and are fully accessible via USB connection - no software needs to be installed.
Version 4.47 of the software for DAISY Player/Recorder Milestone 312 is now available. This is a substantial upgrade which contains useful new features. Some of the highlights include support for Word DOC files as well as DAISY 3 and EPUB. Go to Bones website for details and download.
The Milestone CD Drive is a lightweight CD drive for Milestone 212 and Milestone 312. The handling is done via Milestone and is a breeze. The provided connecting cable simultaneously powers Milestone and the CD drive and therefore ensures a smooth copying process.
Readers are able to use CDs directly and still have a small, fully portable device.
By pressing a single button all music and data CDs (e.g. DAISY books) are copied directly to the SD card. Music CDs are automatically converted into MP3 or WAV files. More information is available on the Bones website.
This new release of MyStudio PC includes fixes and improvements. A license is required for MyStudio PC. DAISY Member organizations may place a request for a license from the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD), see below.
This software is very easy to learn and operate. Additional features include generating synthesized speech from text.
MyStudio PC is typically used in organizations where the structure documents (NCCs) are not created before recording begins. It is also typically used by volunteers producing DAISY Digital Talking Books at home or in a studio.
For more general information about MyStudio PC, please use the Contact Us form (General Category) on the DAISY Web site.
MyStudio PC is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. Full Members may request up to 50 licenses, Associate Members may request up to 10 licenses. If your organization is a Member of the DAISY Consortium and needs a license, please use the Email Contact link (available immediately below on this page). For this link to display, you must be logged in to the DAISY website using a valid Member login. Your request will be directed to JSRPD.
The Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) has just released Version 2.05.02.00 of MyStudio PC, the DAISY 2.02 structure and audio production tool which is available to DAISY Member organizations at no cost.
Net Systems Informatics is committed to providing innovative content development solutions. They deliver new learning dimensions with services like Content Digitization and DAISY Conversion. They help you convert your printed publications including textbooks into accessible formats such as DAISY.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) free talking book program was first established by an Act of the U.S. Congress to serve blind adults. It was expanded in 1952 to include children. In 1962 music materials were added, and since 1966 individuals with other physical disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print are being served. Originally there were 19 libraries – today the NLS network includes more than 100 libraries across the nation and in the U.S. territories. These libraries distribute reading materials to a readership of more than 900,000. The Talking Book and Braille Program is a collaborative arrangement between federal, state, and local libraries. Read more about NLS services and players on the NLS website.
DAISY2Go is a part of the Nuance Accessibility Suite, and it has been optimized for Nuance TALKS, to allow for easy alternation between audio and textual content. It is free for users who own a license of TALKS&ZOOMS Premium Edition. DAISY2Go is a Mobile player/viewer for books confirming to the DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 specification, for phones utilizing S60 3rd Edition or 5th Edition. More information is available on the Nuance Communications website.
Obi is a free software application - audio production tool. Obi brings the benefits of DAISY technology to a broader range of consumers. In situations where time and cost constraints limit the use of sophisticated synchronized multimedia production tools (e.g. classroom environment, people and organizations in developing countries), Obi can unlock the potential of producers and consumers (e.g. teachers and students).
Obi is available for download at the Obi project site.
odt2daisy is an OpenOffice.org Writer extension, enabling Export as DAISY output in DAISY 3 format, including support of mathematical content.
This release includes numerous improvements.
8GB of internal memory allows 2,000 hours of recording time, micro SD card compatibility extends it to 16GB. Supports DAISY 2.02, Audible.com books, MP3 and WMA and PCM formats. Available in the U.S.
Currently does not support RFB&D (Learning Ally) books.
VOICE ACTIVATION - makes automatic starting and stopping of the recorder an extra benefit that saves time and energy.
OLYMPUS SONORITY - Edit files with Olympus Sonority sound editing software (included), which is compatible with PCs and MACs.
VOICE RECOGNITION - Use simple voice commands to create calendar entries, to-do lists and other basic functions.
To download the new firmware update Version 1.50 and manual in DAISY format, please visit the DM-4 Accessible Information webpage. Improvements are listed in the release notes.
The DM-5 is a state-of-the-art voice recorder for European market. With linear PCM, MP3 and WMA compatibility, the DM-5 is ideal for anyone who needs crystal-clear sound anytime, anywhere - from business professionals and journalists to photographers, students, the visually impaired and print disabled. CD-quality multi-format playback and recording combined with sophisticated features like Voice Guidance, Voice Commands, Text to Speech and DAISY 2.02 playback make DM-5 the choice for discerning users. Updates / DM-5 downloads.
Firmware update Version 1.50 for DM-5. Watch a YouTube video about DM-5 features.
Planman Technologies, a content conversion and a publishing services provider actively supports the DAISY vision to promote international standards and technologies. Planman Technlogies assists their clients in converting their print / electronic media to DAISY compliant format using their proprietary workflows. Planman is actively offering DAISY conversion services and workflows to all major Libraries, Organizations and Publishers worldwide. More information is provided on the Planman Technologies website.
Users can play back their favorite DAISY books, electronic magazines or newspapers. Supports DAISY Online Delivery specifications. High performance built-in speaker provides users with comfortable listening.
This version (5.00.00) supports numerous improvements. For more information, please see the relase notes.
PLEXTALK Linio Pocket is the world’s first portable DAISY online player and recorder, designed for the visually impaired and dyslexic to stream or download talking newspapers, magazines and books online.
The PLEXTALK Linio Pocket offers immediate access to DAISY online services in countries such as Finland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Japan and more countries in the near future. Learn more
The PLEXTALK Model PTN2 is a DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 hardware player, ideal for leisure-reading. It has a high-quality built-in speaker and comes with a fully rechargeable battery to provide listeners with up to five hours of playing time.
Using the PLEXTALK PTN2, a person with low vision or other print disability can navigate to a particular point in a book from the table of contents or the index, by browsing headings, selecting pages, or by setting and reviewing bookmarks. Users can make a bookmark index consisting of up to 10,000 bookmarks. In addition, users are able to fast forward, rewind, and even speed up the audio narration.
The PLEXTALK Pocket PTP1 is a lightweight, pocket-sized, DAISY-compliant music, voice, and book player/recorder that reaches a new level of mobility and offers ease of use for business, education and leisure. It is a true crossover media player/recorder which contains a host of applications and which also comes with extensive features that support complete accessibility for people with sight problems or learning difficulties. Although this tiny player/recorder is only 55mm X 112mm X 16mm (2.2in X 4.4in X 0.6in) in size, it supports both DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 playback, records DAISY 2.02 and has recording time capacity of 120 hours. Multiple audio playback formats are also supported. Starting with Version 2.00, PLEXTALK Pocket supports DAISY books provided by major library services and content providers (NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare in the U.S.), etc. PLEXTALK Pocket features the world’s first wireless LAN function as a dedicated DAISY digital book player. Users can share books or files between their computer and the PLEXTALK Pocket via wireless LAN at home or office without using a USB cable.
The PLEXTALK Pocket portable player offers both DAISY playback and recording. The PRS Software is now available at no cost to PLEXTALK Pocket users. Three functions are provided in one package: Recording, Editing and CD-R Writing. If you have a PLEXTALK Pocket, you can download the installer from the PLEXTALK website downloads area and install it onto your computer while your player is connected via USB.
PLEXTALK PTR2 replaced the PTR1 and is designed to be a high quality recorder with the ability to create DAISY 2.02 books with audio, headings and pages, as well as music CDs. It can also play DAISY books, music CDs, Audio File CDs and CF cards. It can be used as a CD-RW or memory card drive when connected to a computer. For quicker and easier editing of DAISY content, the PTR2 is supplied with the PLEXTALK Recording Software (PRS). This package provides all the necessary tools to record, edit and finalize audio DAISY 2.02 books. This portable unit has a built-in microphone and an optional external microphone, providing recording versatility.
PTN 2 Cross, reliable and high-quality DAISY player allows you to read various contents on CD, SD card and USB.
Available only in Europe, PTN Cross features a cover that offers direct access to the DAISY functionalities. More information is available on the PLEXTALK website.
PLEXTALK Recording Software Pro is very similar to the software bundled with the Plextalk PTR2. Designed for Windows PCs, it is a simple to use editing and recording tool with voice guidance to support use by individuals who have a visual handicapped. PRS Pro is available from Plextor in packages of five (5) copies.
Directly from within the Read2Go app, Bookshare members can find, download, and read books on their Apple device. Please submit your feedback to the Read2Go user forum.
Features:
The ReadHear™ PC Premium Version provides the functionality present in ReadHear™ PC, but also includes additional features.
The latest update includes a number of small improvements;. Among these are:
The ReadHear™ PC Premium and Professional provide people with disabilities access to multiple information sources, with improved features and easier navigation. Full details are provided on the gh LLC Web site.
A features' comparison list for ReadHear PC Professional and Premium Version is provided on the gh LLC website.
The ReadHear™ PC is a Section 508 compliant software player that is designed with accessibility as a priority. This software supports the following file formats:
The ReadHear™ PC provides people with disabilities access to multiple information sources. The ReadHear™ PC now has improved features and easier navigation. Full details are provided on the gh LLC Web site.
ReadHowYouWant offers a wide selection of on-demand, optimized alternative format editions, including books in Braille and DAISY formats and large print books.
RoboBraille is an e-mail service capable of automatically transforming documents into a variety of alternative formats for the visually and reading impaired: Contracted Braille, mp3 files, DAISY books and visual Braille. Furthermore, RoboBraille can convert otherwise inaccessible documents into more accessible formats. RoboBraille is available free of charge to all non-commercial users who do not need to register in order to use the service. In addition to the traditional email-interface, RoboBraille can be accessed via a simple, accessible web-interface. The objective is to create an unlimited supply of accessible material to anyone, anywhere with a need. More information is available on the RoboBraille website.
Microsoft's Word Save as DAISY add-in translates Microsoft Word 2003, 2007 and 2010 documents into DAISY.
The Save as DAISY - Microsoft project area provides current information and related communications about the Microsoft Word add-in, as well as links for downloading the latest version. The new version that supports Microsoft Office Word 2010 was released December 15, 2011.
"Save as DAISY" add-in for Microsoft Office Word incorporates a "Lite" version of the DAISY Pipeline. You can select to generate the DAISY XML for further processing, or you can generate a fully conforming DAISY file set with full navigation and full text synchronized with audio. The audio is generated by the default text-to-speech (TTS) engine on your Windows computer. Download is available on the Save as DAISY Microsoft project page.
The source document in Microsoft Word has to be well structured, created using styles and saved before it can be converted to fully conforming DAISY book.
Adobe InDesign CS4 includes a \Save as DTBook\ (DAISY XML) option. Users can choose DTBook (aka DAISY XML) content within EPUBs, compatible with the NIMAS standard that has been mandated in the U.S. for providing access to K-12 instructional materials for the visually impaired.
Adobe InDesign CS4 includes a "Save as DTBook" (DAISY XML) option. More information is available on the Adobe's Digital Editions blog. It provides a clear overview of the DAISY XML and ePub support features in CS4.
The DAISY Consortium wishes to thank the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, JSRPD, for making Sigtuna DAR 3 available to DAISY Consortium Members.
The final release of Sigtuna DAR 3 was made available February 2008.
The user has the ability to create, edit, and/or remove NCC headings and pages during the recording process (when in "ToC-only mode"). In addition, a user can add full text segments to an NCC-only Digital Talking Book using the ATAU mode.
The software is typically used in larger organizations as well as in stand-alone settings.
For more general information, please use the Contact Us form, selecting the General category.
Sigtuna DAR 3 is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. A license is required. If your organization is a Member of the DAISY Consortium and needs a license, please use the Email Contact link (available immediately below on this page). For this link to display, you must be logged in to the DAISY website using a valid Member login. Your request will be directed to JSRPD. Please include the information about your organization and name of the representative in your email.
The final release of Sigtuna DAR 3, version 3.0.22, has just been made available. This DAISY 2.02 production tools supports the production of DAISY books with audio and structure, as well as full text/audio DAISY books. It is made available to DAISY Members by the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, JSRPD. A license is required.
Studio Recorder from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is a digital recording software package with support for conversion to DAISY 3, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 2002 content. Studio Recorder should be used with APH's Book Wizard Producer when working on conversion.
"Originally created by APH to serve as an internal tool for creating direct-to-digital audio recordings, Studio RecorderTM contains many features that make recording, editing, and proof reading audio books easy. It is a powerful digital recording and editing software package geared specifically to making recordings of the spoken word and includes features not found in similar programs primarily designed for music production."
This free software player supports DAISY 2.0 and 2.02.
Tobi is an authoring tool geared towards re-purposing published material, for example: to add audio narration to a text-only document, to synchronize a podcast with a structured script, or to review and improve an existing Digital Talking Book publication. To create text from scratch, we recommend popular editors such as Microsoft Word or Open-Office, which can both produce DTBook markup thanks to their respective Save as DAISY add-ins. More information is available in the Tobi project area. Support for EPUB 3 has been added.
TPB Reader is a DAISY 2.0 and DAISY 2.02 compliant software player designed to be easy to learn even by those with little or no computer experience. Even though it is easy-to-use, the software is powerful enough to satisfy more "advanced" users.
TPB Reader works on Windows® operating systems.
Feature highlights include:
TPB Reader is made available at no cost worldwide. However, TPB (The Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille) does not offer end-user support outside Sweden.
Stratus12 models have telephone-style number pad for navigation to specific pages.They play DAISY 2.0 and 2.02 content and MP3 files.
Students and professionals may prefer the Stratus12 models with 12-key number pad for navigation to specific pages in highly structured publications such as reference and text books. More information can be found on the HumanWare website.
The Stratus12 M plays DAISY and MP3 books and music on CDs, SD cards, and USB flash drives. It has built-in text-to-speech to play digital text-based documents. In addition to the next and previous arrow navigation of Stratus4 M, the Stratus12 M includes a 12-key telephone style number pad for direct navigation functions such as going to specific heading, page, folder, or file numbers.
In addition to copying DAISY books on CD to the SD card, you may now copy MP3 CDs as well. The Release Notes and software download are available from the HumanWare website.
The Victor Reader Stratus continues the legacy of HumanWare’s 13-year history of developing simple, easy-to-use audio book players. The Victor Reader Stratus comes in a new look enclosure that is smaller and lighter on the outside, yet smarter and better sounding on the inside. The Stratus plays DAISY and other multimedia books and music from CDs, SD cards and USB flash drives. Choose any of the Stratus4 models with its simple 4-arrow keypad to easily navigate novels, magazines, and newspapers. Students and professionals may prefer the Stratus12 models with its telephone-style number pad for navigation to specific pages in highly structured publications such as reference and text books. For those who like the most simple operation possible, attaching the optional keypad cover hides all but the most essential keys to simulate a traditional cassette player.
All Victor Reader Stratus models feature large, tactile, high-contrast keys, a built-in speaker and headphone jack as well as self-voicing controls. Users can take and operate their Victor Reader Stratus anywhere, using its rechargeable battery and integrated carrying handle. More information can be found on the HumanWare website.
The Stream is HumanWare's most portable, powerful DAISY/NISO and MP3 player. It is a hand-held (117 x 66 x 22mm) player using an SD flash memory card for storing content. It connects to computers as a USB device to transfer book and music files. The Stream also has an embedded text-to-speech capability to play text only or synchronized full text/full audio DAISY books, simple text and html files. Variable speed playback is supported for all recorded and text formats. Other advanced DAISY features including Go To Page, Go To Heading, simple bookmarks, highlight bookmarks, and processing skippable elements. It also built-in voice recording capability for recording voice notes, audio bookmarks, etc.
Highlighted features:
For full details and the most recent news on the Stream, visit the VictorReader Stream page on the HumanWare site.
HumanWare has introduced a new version of the Victor Reader Stream media player for people who are blind or visually impaired. It’s now smaller, smarter and wireless. Yet, it retains the tactile keypad access, and simple bookshelf navigation.
The new Victor Reader Stream features an improved, louder speaker, improved text-to-speech from Acapela, improved recording capabilities, faster USB transfers, and 32-gigabyte SD cards. It easily connects to flash drives and offers the Softpak features of full stereo recordings, support for EPUB 2 unprotected books, DOCX, MP4 and iTunes M4A files. More information is provided on the HumanWare website.
Victor Reader Stream CD Edition combines the world renowned Victor Reader Stream and a special CD player accessory. Perfect for people who do not have a personal computer. It is the easiest way to transfer a collection of DAISY books to CDs onto one single, portable audio playback device, without the use of a PC.
Key Benefits:
