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Literacy 7-12

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Literacy 7-12 > Strategies > Rich Library: Audio & Braille

Rich Library: Audio & Braille

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Overview

Providing texts in braille, large font, and with text-to-speech allows learners with visual needs to access content. Ensuring that all reading materials are in an accessible format promotes reading success for learners with Vision differences.

Use It in the Classroom

Learn how teachers can use braille texts to build literacy skills like Syntax.

  • Students with varying Vision needs can read independently with the support of audio and braille or large font texts. By providing a variety of these books for students to choose from, teachers can help support Motivation for reading, which in turn supports growth in Background Knowledge, Disciplinary Literacy, and Reading Fluency.

    • Design It into Your Product

    Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.

    See how products like NaturalReader use text-to-speech software to support learners with visual difficulties. With the ability to change the speaker voice and speed, learners can adjust the settings to their needs.

  • Creating a virtual library that includes reading material in multiple formats, such as audio, large print, or braille, increases the availability of accessible electronic learning materials. Learners can select to read or listen to the texts in their preferred format, which strengthens their love for reading. They can also use other visual reading aids and Braille computer technologies to support their reading.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
    Examples

    Bookshare

    Library of ebooks designed for students with learning differences

    Examples

    Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)

    Digital book program by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

    Examples

    Free Audiobooks

    Teacher's First curated selection of elementary audiobooks with text

    Examples

    Learning with Audiobooks

    Where to find audiobooks and tips for using them in the classroom

    Examples

    Reading Apps for Visually Impaired

    Five apps that support visual difficulties

    Examples

    Technology can Level the Playing Field

    Edutopia list of assistive technology devices for the visually impaired

    Research

    Assistive Technologies & Disabilities

    Subtopic that includes research on the use and effectiveness of technologies for people with disabilities on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Literacy
    Background Knowledge
    Disciplinary Literacy
    Reading Fluency
    Syntax
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Long-term Memory
    Short-term Memory
    Visual Processing
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Student Background
    Literacy Environment
    Primary Language
    Socioeconomic Status
    Vision

    More Physical Space Strategies

    Dim or Natural Lighting

    Exposure to natural light is beneficial to the students' health and can increase their alertness and Attention.

    Individual Spaces

    Having private or semi-private spaces where students can go to support Self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.

    Mobility & Flexibility

    Creating student-driven, flexible learning spaces involves setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes for each activity.

    Multiple Display Boards/Screens

    Multiple display spaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.

    Multiple Writing Surfaces

    Multiple writing surfaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.

    Quiet Environment/Pockets of Quiet

    Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.

    Rich Library: Complexity

    Reading materials of varying complexity and levels are necessary for all students to experience success.

    Rich Library: Diversity

    Having culturally relevant reading materials, including multicultural and diverse texts, are critical for supporting all students.

    Rich Library: Multimodal

    Providing access to a variety of multimodal texts that align with the interests of learners allows them to practice digital, information, and Critical Literacy.

    Rich Library: Poetry

    With figurative language and creative sentence structure, poetry supports the development of a deeper understanding of the different ways language makes meaning.

    Rich Library: SEL Topics

    Books on social and emotional learning (SEL) topics, such as developing empathy and productive persistence, help teach these skills.

    Sound Level

    Providing ways for students to adjust sound level supports individual auditory needs.

    Temperature

    Providing ways for students to meet their individual temperature needs supports Attention and Self-regulation.

    Uncluttered Environment

    Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.

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