E-books or digital books are among the most popular technologies being used today. As consumer demand has increased, there are many new technologies, devices and formats appearing on the market each day. Many of the standard e-book reader applications are suitable to use with students with print disabilities. Indeed, the technology to read e-books is likely already in most Maine classrooms.

An e-book reader is an electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals and uses e-ink technology to display content to readers. The main advantages of these devices are portability, readability of their screens in bright sunlight, and long battery life. (Source: Wikipedia)

It should be noted that when using an e-book reader as an assistive technology device, there are a number of "enhanced features" found in some, not all, e-book readers that are particularly useful for students with print disabilities. Among the enhancements available are:

• Navigation supports - displays navigation element, speaks menu elements, page navigation aids, etc.
• Visual supports - ability to change font size, change screen colors and text colors, change line spacing, etc.
• Reading supports - Change voice and voice speed, synchronized highlighting as text is read, converting audio into other formats, etc.
• File management supports - Find and search features, bookmarking, note taking, etc.

For a list of popular enhanced e-book reader applications and demonstration videos on how they can be used, please see the National Center for Accessible Instructional Materials website.

E-Book Readers and other digital readers devices

• Book Wizard Reader v1.4 - American Printing House for the Blind (APH).
• Kurzweil 3000 - Cambium.
• EasyReader  - Dolphin.
• READ:OutLoud - Don Johnston, Inc.
• WYNN Reader - Freedom Scientific.
• gh Player - gh, LLC.
• E-Text Reader - Premier.
• Read&WriteGOLD - TextHelp, Inc.
• PlexTalk and other devices.
• Victor Reader Stream - Humanwear.
• Classmate reader - Humanwear
• Book Wizard Reader - APH.
• Book Port Plus - APH.
• Book Sense - HIMS.
• Intel Reader.
• Milestone readers - Bones, Inc.

Additional lists of hardware and software for e-reader solutions:

• DAISY.org list
• Bookshare tools list

Need more help?

The National Center on AIM Product Tutorials is a resource for learning about and comparing technologies that support the specialized formats of AIM.

Our Training page lists local and regional workshops and webinars on AIM

Our Technical Assistance page provides a listing of Maine organizations that can provide help.

Resources available to your school district may include:

• Representatives of the vendor of the AIM and AT products
• School librarians and media specialists
• School Technology Integrators
• District Assistive Technology Specialists
• District Technology Coordinator
• Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Integration Mentors

revised: May 1, 2012

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