Electronic textbooks from RNIB

Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 14th September, 2010

Over 100 textbooks (mainly for the English curriculum) and novels in Word 2003 format are now available from RNIB. The books were produced as a result of the Accessible Resources Pilot project led by Dolphin and Inclusive Technology. There is a list of the books available on the RNIB web site.

The Word files can be read by pupils directly on a computer, for example by changing zoom settings, colours or fonts, or with text-to-speech tools such as WordTalk or a screen reader such as Dolphin's HAL. The files can also be converted into Large print, Braille, audio or other accessible digital formats. Many of the books have descriptions of images such as pictures, graphs and diagrams, to help learners with sight loss.

The books are supplied on CD by RNIB and each CD includes a selection of converter and playback tools. There is a handling and postage charge of £2.99. Teachers or support staff can request books by completing a purchase order and declaration, available from the RNIB site.