Alternative Format Production at a New Zealand University

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

John Lambert, Disability Resource Service, AUT University

• Currently part-time Alternative Format Production Coordinator

• Also part-time Adaptive Technology Coordinator

• Formerly Disabled Student Resource Officer, Auckland University Students’ Association 1987-1997

1980s

• From card indexes to VDU search• From braille to text-to-speech • From volunteer readers to OCR assistance

Early 1990s

Technology• Laptop computer• Text-to-speech• OCR with Kurzweill• Internet

Support• RNZFB provided alternative

format• Volunteers on campus

Late 1990s• CCTV• Laptop computers• BrailleNote• OCR• Flatbed scanner• Magnification software

• Ring-fenced funding for (generalised) disabled student support (SSG)

• Funding for individuals in work or education (Workbridge)

• Rising demand on (underfunded) services by adults of RNZFB

Late 1990s

Technology• CCTV• Laptop computers• BrailleNote• OCR• Flatbed scanner• Magnification software

Support (and issues)• Ring-fenced funding for

(generalised) disabled student support (SSG)

• Funding for individuals in work or education (Workbridge)

• Rising demand on (underfunded) services by adults of RNZFB

AUT University

• 1998 Adaptive Technology Coordinator• Single licence magnification software• Single desktop OCR (OpenBook) and flatbed

scanner• Single user voice-recognition software• Desktop computers• DRS in scattered locations

Ungrading software and hardware

• Multiple licence for magnification software• Multiple licence for OCR (for blind) software• Dedicated Adaptive Technology room(s)• Dedicated Adaptive Technology computer(s)

Alternative Format Production

• Started as individual student support (SSG)• Simple OCR and flatbed • Then upgraded OpenBook OCR and flatbed• Model on RNZFB producing plain text• Photocopy enlargements (A4 to A3)

2000s

• Look at disability support overseas• Familiarise with RNZFB functions• Model on RNZFB producing plain text• Upgrade photocopier to multifunction scanner

Funding changes

• RNZFB provides AltFormat, no cost to TEI• 2002 Storm or Sea-change (Australia)• 2003 T.E.C funds TEI for AltFormat

Figure 1: AltFormat @AUT

Year Students DRS Hours Outsourced

2004 12 404 $10,777

2005 14 705 $7,693

2007 14 730 $150

2008 15 780

2009 10 908

2010 13

Workloads and Workflows

• Peaks, troughs and bottle-necks• Distributed task model• From plain text to structured Word• Guide for internal DRS use• Guide for wider distribution through ACHIEVE• RNZFB guidance and leadership

Publisher co-operation

• At first just permission, scan from print, and OCR

• Then some plain text and Word files, odd formatting

• Now established procedures and commonly PDF files usable ‘as is’ by some

• Future is accessible e-text

Future of AltFormat units

• Niche transcription (maths, music, visual description)

• Niche materials (braille, tactuals, audio, captions)

• Facilitating access to accessible publisher material (DRM issues?)