This year, Braille marks 120 years of helping people with visual impairments to read, learn and enjoy all manner of books and texts. But with modern technology such as screen readers and eBooks, partially sighted people can for the first time use the same reading products as everyone else.

The DAISY Consortium, which includes the RNIB along with many international partners, takes an inclusive design approach to developing standards and technologies which enable equal access to printed information.  By assessing the capabilities of a broad range of individuals with print disabilities, devices can be designed to benefit not only these individuals, but also the wider community.

For instance, DAISY has explored the best manner to accommodate visual impairments by exploiting alternative sensory capabilities, such as sound, large print and haptic feedback.

This has resulted in the development of a set of design guidelines and a standard for the presentation of print media on a range of computer and portable devices, enabling those with visual impairments to receive and read newspapers, academic papers and novels at the same time and on the same platforms as everyone else.

Designer: RNIB Innovation Team

Ergonomists: RNIB Innovation Team

Website: www.daisy.org