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More and more devices are available that enable people who are blind or have low vision to access literature and printed information.
New commercial eBook readers are becoming more user friendly for people who are blind or have low vision.
Find out more about eBook readers
Products designed especially for people who are blind or have low vision include audio book players or DAISY players. These are designed to play back audio books that are very easy to navigate and access because they are produced using a format called “DAISY”.
On this page you will be able to find out about:
Connect with our library services
Looking for information on using a Daisy player to access the Vision Australia Library? Call us on 1800 005 965 or read more here.
Audio book players using the DAISY format
Audio book players designed to support DAISY format give people who are blind or have low vision a lot of functionality to access and enjoy audio books.
DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System. It is a digital talking book format that offers many advantages over traditional audio books on a traditional audio CD.
A DAISY book may contain both sound and text. DAISY books can be read on a portable digital playback device, a regular mp3 player or on a computer equipped with playback software.
DAISY books offer people who are blind or have a print disability a better way to read, and have numerous advantages over traditional books on CD including:
Links between text and narration – DAISY books allow a reader to go directly to specific sections, chapters or pages, and place bookmarks.
When you finish reading, a digital playback device player will 'remember' where you stopped, and resume play at that same place when you start to read again.
Better sound quality. The digital recording eliminates the traditional hiss and background noise found on cassettes, especially books that have been played many times. This is important for readers who may have some hearing impairment.
In order to provide these features, a special digital playback device or software program is recommended.
DAISY audio book players are designed for people who are blind or have low vision. They give prompts and describe the function of each button so there is no need to remember too many instructions.
Some DAISY audio book players have a built-in speech synthesizer that reads documents aloud from a variety of sources such as a Word Processor or the Internet. They can also play audio books or music files and access DAISY books (link to Digital playback).
Further features of these devices include the ability to:
start and stop listening to any document;
navigate among documents or within a document;
navigate by letter, word, sentence, paragraph, page, or section;
hear the current position (as a percentage) in a document;
set book marks within a document;
listen to spoken audio books or music files;
make voice recordings;
control pitch, speed, and volume of speech;
delete documents or lock documents to prevent deletion;
access built-in help for using device;
set sleep timer to turn unit off after a set amount of time;
lock keys so you can put it in your pocket or purse.
To use a number of these DAISY audio book players, you will need access to a computer to enable the books and documents to be transferred to the device. Once the documents have been transferred across, the unit can be used independently of the computer.
Usually the battery life of these units is in the range of 4-5 hours.
Prices from $600.
Common DAISY audio book players
A range of DAISY audio book players are available. Some are designed to sit on a desk while others are more portable and can fit in your pocket or handbag. Here is a list of models available.
Plextalk PTX1
Key features:
Mask covers less frequently used buttons to make this player easier to use (the mask comes with the player).
USB port for downloading books
Plays both DAISY and music CDs
Easier magazine navigation
Available from Vision Australia Equipment Solutions (1300 84 74 66)
Victor Reader Stratus
Key features:
Mask cover available.
Handle to make carrying easier.
USB port for downloading books.
Plays both DAISY and music CDs.
Key features:
Easy to use portable player.
Visit the online shop’s section on DAISY audio book players
Software options
Olympus DM-5 (Available from Vision Australia’s Equipment Solutions)
BrailleSense and VoiceSense notetakers (Available from Pacific Vision)
BrailleNote and VoiceNote notetakers, and the Classmate Reader (Available from Humanware)
You can also access DAISY audio books through your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. To do this you need to download an app. Visit our Podcaststo find out more.
If you have a Mac or Windows computer you can use DAISY playback software to access audio books. Find more about this technology by listening to this podcast: Jamie's review.
Some free examples of DAISY playback software include:
Olearia for Mac computer
Amis for Windows computer
Daisy 2.02 for Android
Some examples of commercial DAISY playback software products include:
Read2Go for iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch
Darwin Reader for Android devices
Easyreader for Windows computer
FS Reader for Windows computer
Note
This product listing does not constitute an endorsement of these products by Vision Australia. Prices are approximates only.
For further details phone Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66.
Frequently Asked Questions about DAISY
On this page:
What is DAISY?
DAISY is an acronym for Digital Accessible Information System
DAISY was developed in 1995 by a body of experts, including Vision Australia, responding to suggestions from blind or vision impaired readers from around the world.
DAISY is a way of preparing an audio book that allows the reader many more options than cassette or audio CD books, for a superior reading experience.
Libraries for the blind are now producing DAISY books around the world.
For more information, see www.daisy.org
Will I find it hard to use this new technology?
Most clients who try DAISY books and players find them much easier to use than books on tape.
DAISY books are contained on one CD, so there's no need to juggle multiple cassettes.
DAISY books have a better sound quality, so if you have trouble hearing, you will find a DAISY book easier to listen to.
Several models of players are available, with large tactile buttons and simple operation.
Books will arrive as you need them.
Do I have to use a power point?
No, your player has an internal rechargeable battery. It can be fully charged by turning on the player both at the power point and the power button for a period of 8 hours.
When fully charged, the battery will last up to five hours.
How can I receive assistance/training for the digital playback device?
Please call the Readers Services Team on 1300 65 46 56, for telephone assistance. Face to face training may be possible in certain locations.
Instruction manuals and troubleshooting tips are available online
How do I have a digital playback device repaired?
If you have been loaned a digital playback device by the library, please contact the library to arrange a repair. Repairs are free of charge. Please DO NOT attempt to repair it yourself.
A replacement player will be posted when the faulty player is received by the library.
If you have purchased a digital playback device, you are responsible for all repairs for your digital playback device.
Most digital playback devices come with a one-year warranty.
Your digital playback device will need to go back to the place of purchase or manufacturer for repair.
DAISY book player training guides & support
Need assistance with your DAISY player? Then contact the Readers Services team on 1300 65 46 56 to book a DAISY telephone training session. Alternatively you can download one of our DAISY training guides.
For queries relating to handheld devices and i-access ® online, please contact the i-access support team on 1800 00 59 65.
A DAISY player and audio book.
Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) books can be heard on standalone DAISY players,[1] computers using DAISY playback software,[2] mobile phones, and MP3 players (with limited navigation). DAISY books can be distributed on a CD/DVD, memory card or through the Internet.[3]
A computerized text DAISY book can be read using refreshable Braille display or screen-reading software, printed as Braille book on paper, converted to a talking book using synthesised voice or a human narration, and also printed on paper as large print book. In addition, it can be read as large print text on computer screen.[4][5]
Software players[edit]
Software-based players include, in alphabetical order:
AMIS - Adaptive Multimedia Information System: an open-source self-voicing player for Windows that works with several screen readers; available many languages; developed by the DAISY Consortium [6][7]
Android Daisy ePub Reader: an opensource project for the Android platform[8]
AnyDaisy Firefox Extension, by Benetech [9]
ButtercupReader: a web-based silverlight application for DAISY 3 books[10][11]
CUCAT Olearia, an open-source DAISY reader for Mac OS X [12][13]
DAISY Book Reader, open-source player for the GNOME desktop (GTK) [14]
Daisy Delight: open-source player for DAISY 2.02, for Mac OS X and Unix-based systems [15]
daisy-player, an open source, multilingual, ncurses-based program for Linux to play DAISY books from the command line[16]
DaisyDuck: a free player for Daisy 2.02 audio books [17]
DAISYPlayer: free player for Microsoft Windows; only available in Spanish [18]
DaisyWorm: player for DAISY 2.02 (2002) and DAISY 3 (2005), for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; iOS 4 or higher[19]
Darwin Reader for Android reads DAISY 2.02 and 3.0 text and audio books[20]
Dolphin EasyReader and EasyReader Express, commercial e-book reader with support for DAISY, unprotected ePub and other formats, for Microsoft Windows [21]
Dorina DAISY Reader (DDReader+): an open source, free software for Windows, reads only DAISY 3.0, available in English, Spanish and Portuguese [22]
emerson-reader, an open-source and cross-platform (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows) Epub and DAISY player [23]
FSReaderDAISY Player Software for PAC Mate and Desktop; supports DAISY 2 and DAISY 3 [24]
Go Read: an open source DAISY reader for Android devices [25]
GoDaisy: online DAISY player, in Swedish [26]
InDaisy Reader, a player for iPhone and iPod, accessible with VoiceOver; supports Daisy 2.02 and Daisy 3 [27]
Kolibre Vadelma, an open source DAISY 2.02-player supporting DAISY Online. Downloads and build instructions available for the Raspberry Pi-platform, compile instructions available for Debian Linux.[28]
MAX DaisyPlayer, a free player for Microsoft Windows.[29]
Mobile DAISY Player, a commercial player for Symbian phones [30]
Pratsam Reader Web, an online DAISY 2.02-player app for web browsers, supporting Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge[31]
Pratsam Reader Win, a Microsoft Windows desktop DAISY 2.02-player a graphical user interface, integrated guiding voice, DAISY Online Delivery Protocol support and keyboard shortcuts for navigation[32]
Read2Go: accessible, commercial e-book reader for Apple iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), specifically for books from Bookshare, an online library for people with print disabilities; developed by Benetech[33][34]
Read:OutLoud 6 (commercial; for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows) [35]
Read:OutLoud Bookshare Edition[36]
ReadHear (commercial; for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows) [37]
Simple Daisy Web Player, an open-source software program that enables users to play DAISY books in a web browser[38]
Texthelp Read&Write (commercial; for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows) [39]
Other relevant software includes:
Daisy Uppsala Archive Project, server-side system for managing DAISY files [40]
There are a wide range of hardware products available that can play DAISY content, usually in a portable form factor. Some of these devices are dedicated to playback of books, while others focus on other functionality, such as PDA or mobile Internet access, and offer DAISY playback as either a feature of the unit or as a software add-on.
A short (incomplete) list of products that have built-in support for DAISY playback includes:
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Book Port Plusand Book Port DT [42]
Pratsam Mobile, a portable handheld DAISY player that supports cellular networks, the DAISY Online Delivery Protocol, customized for use by the blind and visually impaired[43]
Victor Reader Stream, a hand-held portable DAISY player for the blind, visually handicapped and print impaired, produced by HumanWare[44]
Victor Reader Wave, also by HumanWare, is a portable CD player that can play DAISY content from CD media[45]
BookSense, a similar, smaller unit produced by GW Micro; the advanced XT model features built-in flash memory and Bluetooth headset support for playback, as well as an FM radio[46]
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) in the United States has developed a proprietary DAISY player designed for use by its print-disabled patrons. The player will replace the aging cassette-based distribution system.[47]
Production systems[edit]
Add-ins or extensions to create DAISY files from office software are also available:
Daisy Reader Mac
Microsoft and Sonata Software created a Save as DAISY add-in for Microsoft Word to convert Office Open XML text documents to DAISY.[48]
odt2daisy (OpenOffice.org Export As DAISY): an extension for Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice that exports OpenDocument Text to DAISY XML or to Full DAISY (both XML and audio).[49]
Other tools for DAISY production include:
Download Daisy Reader For Mac Osx
List of products by the DAISY Consortium [50]
Book Wizard Producer[51]
DAISY Demon, an open-source shell around the DAISY Pipeline to help automate the production of DAISY talking books, MP3, ePub, Word and HTML from XML file; developed by the Open University[52][53]
DAISY Pipeline[54]
daisy-validator[55]
Dolphin Publisher[56]
Obi: DAISY/Accessible EPUB 3 production tool[57]
Pipeline GUI[58]
PipeOnline, a web interface for the DAISY Pipeline[59]
PLEXTALK Recording Software[60]
Pratsam Producer, a production system for producing DAISY (with or without audio), import and management of PDF and XML, content quality measuring tools, automatic export of XHTML, DTBook, EPUB or Microsoft Word documents[61]
Tobi: an authoring tool for DAISY and EPUB 3 talking books[62]
References[edit]
^DAISY: Hardware Playback Tools[permanent dead link]
^DAISY: Software Playback Tools[permanent dead link]
^'DAISY: Technology Overview'. Archived from the original on 2009-02-14. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
^DAISY Consortium: 'WHAT IS DAISY?Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine'. Accessed 2009-11-23.
^George Kerscher: 'Braille Production the DAISY Way', IFLA/SLB Pre-conference Seminar in Penang 1999. Accessed 23 November 2009.
^'ButtercupReader - The Online Digital Talking Book Reader'. Archived from the original on 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
^ButtercupReader at Codeplex.
^Download Olearia
^Olearia - Full Featured DAISY Talking Book Player For OS X at Google Code.
^DAISY Book Reader
^Daisy Delight
^daisy-player
^DaisyDuck
^'DAISYPlayer'. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
^DaisyWorm for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store
^'Darwin Reader'. Archived from the original on 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
^Dolphin: EasyReader - Accessible eBook reader
^Dorina DAISY Reader
^emerson-reader
^Freedom Scientific, Inc.: FSReaderDAISY Player Software for PAC Mate and DesktopArchived 2010-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
^Go Read
^GoDaisy Online Daisy Player
^'Levelware InDaisy Reader'. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
^Kolibre.org
^Deutsche Zentralbücherei für Blinde zu Leipzig (DZB): MAX DaisyPlayer.
^Code Factory: Mobile DAISY Player.
^Pratsam. 'DAISY web player – Pratsam'. www.pratsam.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
^Pratsam. 'DAISY online player – Pratsam'. www.pratsam.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
^Bookshare: Benetech Announces New Accessible e-Book Reader for Apple iOS devices - iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch Users Can Read Bookshare Books with Read2Go, press release 26 January 2011.
^Read2Go for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store.
^Don Johnston Incorporated: 6[permanent dead link].
^gh, LLC: ReadHear PCArchived 2013-01-24 at Archive.today, ReadHear MacArchived 2013-01-24 at Archive.today.
^A Simple Daisy Web Player
^Texthelp Ltd: [1].
^Daisy Uppsala Archive Project
^Online Daisy Delivery Technology
^http://tech.aph.org/bpdt_doc.htm
^Pratsam. 'Mobile DAISY player – Pratsam'. www.pratsam.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
^HumanWare Ltd. Victor Reader Stream Product Page
^HumanWare Ltd. Victor Reader Wave Product Page
^GW Micro: BooksenseArchived 2009-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
^National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS): NLS/BPH Digital Talking Book Player and Cartridge.
^'Save as DAISY - MS Word Add-In'. DAISY Consortium. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
^'OpenOffice.org Export As DAISY'. Vincent Spiewak. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
^'Tools & Services'. DAISY Consortium. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
^'Book Wizard Producer'. American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
^'DAISY Demon'. gnschmidt. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
^'4th European eAccessibility Forum: Increasing Harmonization'. The DAISY Consortium's Monthly Newsletter. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2017-03-19.