Academic literature on the topic 'DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System)'

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse empirical studies regarding the use of digital talking books (Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) books) as well as the possibilities and limitations that users with print disabilities encounter when using these books. Upon fulfilment of this purpose, it is also possible to identify research needs in the area of talking books. Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of 12 empirical studies concerning the use of DAISY books is conducted. The concept of affordances is employed in the analysis, which focuses on: users of talking books, talking books as objects, and the social settings in which talking books are used. Findings – First, the reviewed literature indicates that the navigational features of the DAISY talking book appear to provide unprecedented affordances in terms of the users’ approaches to reading. However, the affordances of talking books depend, to some extent, on whether the users have visual impairments or dyslexia/reading and writing difficulties. Second, the reviewed literature illustrates that the affordances provided by talking books depend on the settings in which they are used, both in terms of specific social situations and wider socio-political contexts. Originality/value – Although the need for assistive reading technologies, such as digital talking books, is large, research in this area is scarce, particularly from a user perspective. This paper describes the results of those studies which have actually been conducted on this topic and highlights areas that require further study.

As the Information Age progresses in technological and electronic areas, so mustlibrarians re-define traditional services for those both with. and without sight. Libraries are expected to participate in setting new and better service standards for those with visual disabi lities and/or learning disorders. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library's national network (VISUNET: CANADA) supports the premise of a virtual library for print disabled C an adians. Information resources, services, and international collaborations such as the Digital Audio Based Information System (DAISY) are producing accessible materials for those who cannot read print. By interconnecting world information resources in any format of choice, and providing the best in content that is both digital and virtual with no limitations, libraries will assist print disabled Canadians to better compete for jobs in a rapidly changing working and learning environment.

The article raises the issue of application of information and communication technologies in the inclusive environment of the educational institution. It is proved that such an environment is formed as a result of an individual adaptation of educational programs, as well as with the use in the educational process of information and communication technologies that allow the perception and transmission of educational information in an accessible form for all students. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the relevance and features of the use of information and communication technologies in an inclusive educational environment of the educational institution. In the process of scientific research we used the following research methods: analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization. Results of the research. The key ways in which information and communication technologies can support educational opportunities for people with disabilities are as follows: determining the previous level of personal development (skills and abilities); providing assistance in personal development, forming new skills or updating existing ones; improving access to information; overcoming geographical or social isolation through digital communications; increase motivation and awareness of the benefits of information and communication technologies. It is determined that the main types of information and communication technology used to teach children with special educational needs are: standard technologies (for example, computers with built-in settings for people with special educational needs); available data formats, also known as alternative formats (for example, available HTML, say books DAISY system (Digital Accessibility Information System ‒ electronic accessible information system), as well as “low-tech” formats such as Braille; assistive technologies: hearing aids, screen readers, keyboards, etc. Assistive technologies are devices, products, equipment, software, or services designed to enhance, support, or improve the functionality of people with disabilities. Taking into account the didactic capabilities of information and communication technologies, as well as the needs and demands of inclusive education, three key functions that perform information and communication technologies in inclusive education are formulated: compensatory, didactic, communication. Necessary conditions for the introduction of information and communication technologies in the educational process are the availability of material and system-technical support, as well as the availability of appropriate professional competencies of teachers.
 Keywords: information and communication technologies, inclusive education, inclusive environment, audio lecture, audio simulator, compensatory function, standard technologies, auxiliary technologies.

Visual impairments cause very limited and low vision, leading to difficulties in processing information such as obstacles, objects, multimedia contents (e.g., video, photographs, and paintings), and reading in outdoor and indoor environments. Therefore, there are assistive devices and aids for visually impaired (VI) people. In general, such devices provide guidance or some supportive information that can be used along with guide dogs, walking canes, and braille devices. However, these devices have functional limitations; for example, they cannot help in the processing of multimedia contents such as images and videos. Additionally, most of the available braille displays for the VI represent the text as a single line with several braille cells. Although these devices are sufficient to read and understand text, they have difficulty in converting multimedia contents or massive text contents to braille. This paper describes a methodology to effectively convert multimedia contents to braille using 2D braille display. Furthermore, this research also proposes the transformation of Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) and electronic publication (EPUB) formats into 2D braille display. In addition, it introduces interesting research considering efficient communication for the VI. Thus, this study proposes an eBook reader application for DAISY and EPUB formats, which can correctly render and display text, images, audios, and videos on a 2D multiarray braille display. This approach is expected to provide better braille service for the VI when implemented and verified in real-time.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present and evaluate an innovative classification system for medieval seals that was created as part of the Seals in Medieval Wales (SiMeW) project, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The classification system developed in response to the cataloguing challenges associated with rapidly gathering sigillographic information on about 2,500 medieval seals from a number of collections in several UK repositories. Design/methodology/approach – This paper outlines the challenges involved in recording and classifying medieval seals from the British Isles, and describes existing systems for organizing sigillographic information. The SiMeW system is explained as a response to the limitations of existing systems. Findings – Designers of systems for recording seals need to take into account the physical characteristics of seal impressions, matrices, and casts, the strength and limitations of digital media, as well as the need of cataloguers and users. Originality/value – In recent years scholars have systematically investigated the problems associated with text-based image indexing and retrieval. Nonetheless, medieval seals have been largely overlooked, even though they are common in UK repositories. SiMeW’s system offers cataloguers an example of an approach that they can use in new and existing seal catalogues, to generate metadata that can help make seals, which are a key component of the cultural legacy of the Middle Ages, more accessible to users.

Knowledge of surface and subsurface geology and geotechnical properties is fundamental to planning, developing, and modernizing transportation systems. Through dynamic coupling of readily available areal geographic information system coverages and subsurface borehole data stored in a relational database, a spatially referenced digital catalog of borehole data was created for two pilot areas in Rhode Island. The borehole database was populated with data derived from Rhode Island Department of Transportation geotechnical reports and supplemental data from the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater site inventory system and local storm water and sewer projects. Most of these data were previously maintained in paper format, making historical or interproject data comparisons virtually impossible. Unification of these data in a single relational database yields two primary benefits: ( a) historical data are readily accessible for review and therefore can be incorporated easily into the planning stages of new projects and ( b) sophisticated analysis of the region becomes possible with access to data from multiple projects with both spatial and temporal coverage. Geologic data include bedrock geology, surface outcrops, unconsolidated materials, soil type, topographic and orthophotographic base maps, and location of boreholes and wells. Subsurface data include land surface elevation, depth to water table, depth to bedrock, presence of fill, high and low blow-count zones, and organic sediment. The digital catalog is distributed on a CD-ROM that includes ArcView project files and an Access relational database. The borehole data are also accessible through the Internet, with retrieval access for all users and data entry privileges for registered users.

Analysis of Social Networks on Multiculturalism: Youtube Reaction Videos Abstract Multiculturalism is one of the most important concepts brought about by the disappearance of borders in the geographical and cultural areas, the acceleration of mobility and information flow in the international arena, and especially in the 20th century. The concept of multiculturalism, which has the ideals of preventing racism and discrimination, increasing tolerance and sensitivity towards differences and providing intercultural interaction, has been moved to a different dimension at the point where today's world has come. Multiculturalism serves cultural processes by gaining meaning in internet environments as a field that allows cultural construction processes to take place. The study aims to contribute to the definition of the concept of multiculturalism at the level of state policies as well as its definition in the digital field. In this direction, it is aimed to reveal the contribution of multiculturalism with examples via YouTube, one of the most used social networks worldwide. On YouTube, the channel containing the reactions of a user of different cultures by watching Turkish music videos and examples from this channel were analyzed using content analysis method. Structured Abstract: The most common interpretation of globalization is the idea that the world has become more homogeneous and standardized through a technological, commercial and cultural synchronization spreading from the West, and that globalization is connected with modernity. Globalization, which is frequently discussed today, is a comprehensive concept that is based on geographical discoveries and extends to the state it has taken under the influence of today's technological developments. In today's world, globalization has turned into a way of life and has become the normal of our daily lives. Globalization in general; the disappearance of national borders, allowing the free movement of goods, services and cultures around the world. Robertson says that globalization is centered around two main orientations. While the first refers to economic interdependence, the other refers to the globalization of institutions, communities and practices (2013: 136). Globalization includes several dimensions. The cultural dimension is among the most important of these. The cultural dimension of globalization can be considered within the scope of transportation, communication and communication as a result of its economic basis. The fact that different parts of the world are in contact with economic purposes has allowed different cultures to get to know each other, and cultures that include small groups to be noticed. Intercultural interaction has reached a high level with digital communication channels. The cultural dimension of globalization has led to the emergence of various concepts. Multiculturalism is one of these concepts. Multiculturalism, as a system of thought, defines the fair promotion of different cultures in the public sphere and the peaceful coexistence of different cultural communities within the same political organization (Dotycheva, 2009:12). In the digital age we live in, every field has a multicultural structure. The fact that communication tools enable universal communication has led to the emergence of social networks. The borderless structure of social networks directly serves multiculturalism. Youtube, chosen as the subject of analysis of the study, is a social network that is visited and content is produced by millions of people around the world. Cultural content is also produced on YouTube, where all kinds of videos can be shared. It allows a culture to introduce itself and spread it from various aspects. It does this effectively with the power of visuality. By accessing the content on this network from all over the world, it is possible to watch videos, obtain information, give feedback and contribute to the expansion of the content by producing. YouTube's “Kingdom of Luke” channel, chosen as the field of study, shows its experiences about different cultures by watching music clips from different countries. While creating content, it does a preliminary research about the video to watch instead of just watching. Considering the five videos selected as a sample, 60% of the videos explain the content and give information about the song. It gives information about the song genre in 40% of the videos. Explains the musical genres that have their own characteristics as “anthem” and “folk song” and indicates their characteristics. The channel owner gives information about the singers in 100% of the videos. Explain what kind of music the singers make, their life, their place and importance in Turkish music. In this way, he gets information about the culture he is foreign to through the artists. It gives historical information on 60% of the pieces. The channel owner makes inferences about culture in 60% of the videos he examines. All of these videos are pieces with historical content. He states that as a result of his viewing experience, he was influenced by pieces with historical content and shared a sense of victory and struggle. This shows that even though it is experienced by different societies, all world rights can develop common feelings in situations such as war, destruction and victory. There are Turkish and English comments in all of the videos and in the comments under the video. This shows that besides being watched by users from Turkey, it is watched by different cultures or that users use the universal language English to appeal to all cultures. Thanks to the video content, a content producer from a different culture gained knowledge as a result of his researches and impressions about the culture he is foreign to; It has made them accessible to millions of people by publishing them on the most used video sharing site all over the world. Many people had the opportunity to access this video, and those who watched the content had the opportunity to have information about Turkish culture. These contents, which contribute to the multicultural structure in the digital field, contribute to the empathy of different cultures with each other and to develop positive thoughts about culture; It emphasizes love and respect by preventing racism and discrimination. Keywords: Social Sciences, Social Networks, Globalization, Multiculturalism, YouTube

Aadhaar enabled payment system (AEPS) is a type of payment system that is based on the unique identification number and allows Aadhaar card holder seamlessly make financial transaction through Aadhaar based authentication. The AEPS framework expects to enable all the areas of society by making monetary and banking administrations accessible to all the Aadhaar. AEPS is context through one can make fund transfer, make disbursement, make cash deposit, make extractions, make request for information about bank balance etc.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the need for developing an Indian cultural heritage information system (CHIS) where the cultural heritages can efficiently document, manage and preserve and integrate with a searchable user interface mechanism. Further, the study scopes out the feasibility of developing single-window comprehensive national CHIS for all the cultural heritage properties of India enlisted in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO’s) World Heritage list. Design/methodology/approach Conservation efforts and their sustenance require the support of a knowledge base cum digital archiving and information retrieval tool. The present study identifies the basic requirements, strategies and the execution of designing a reliable information system for cultural heritage inheritances to safeguard them to facilitate access to the current and future resilient communities. Approach on issues and challenges associated while developing such an information system has also been addressed with possible recommendations. Findings In India, even though regional level conservation efforts are occurring, no comprehensive information system, which gives the whole perspective of the item or environment of heritage site, has been developed for the heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in its World Heritage list from India. Developing such a comprehensive digital archive for cultural heritage helps to showcase its assets and ensures its visibility globally without hampering the physical form. Application Information and Communication Technology and digital technologies can extensively be used coupled with mechanisms such as mobile devices, digital systems and content visualization techniques to support the efficient and effective management in a systemized way. Research limitations/implications As a pilot study, this paper examined the cultural heritage properties incorporated in the UNESCO World list. There are many lesser-known and unprotected cultural heritages in different parts of the country having artistic value and the unique characteristics, and the possibility of building the similar kind of information system for them with innovative technological solutions are not covered under this study. Practical implications Access to such an exclusive digital archive in a single-window platform would greatly support administrators, tourist departments, culture departments, development administration and conservation activists. The digital version of cultural inheritances created under the cultural heritage of India must have relevance to different subject fields such as history, archeology, manuscript logy, art, administration, knowledge management, computer science and library science. Also, it ensures that the resources remain accessible to the public without any restrictions provided with a comprehensive recapitulation. Originality/value To the authors’ best knowledge, no such comprehensive system envisages or is practiced in the country. Developing such a system with technological and data infrastructure also helps to understand the value, support the activities related to cultural heritage and bring the local community to support and initiate such heritage conservation activities.