e-book reader platform

The e-book reader platform from 123Library promises to enable visually impaired students to access any of the 100,000 or so titles in the 123Library academic catalogue.

According to the company, the formatting of every e-book in the 123Library catalogue can be converted to text-only with a single click. This includes any graphics, tables and illustrations. Visually impaired users can manipulate the text to their own preferred display by making the typeface larger or by reversing it out.

The text-only format can also be read by text-to-speech computer software (such as JAWS: Job Access With Speech). This software reads content aloud or enables a Refreshable Braille device.

Students can also download copies of e-books to portable devices such as smartphones and tablets using Adobe Digital Editions software, which has built-in functionality for visually impaired users.