Version 1.0
Last Revised: June 14, 2002
Throughout the world, libraries for the blind and print disabled are changing their technological platform from analogue to digital. The results of this transition will significantly impact visually impaired and print disabled readers. Not only will they have access to more information, they will have access to structured information that can be used more effectively. Analogue recordings on multiple cassettes will be replaced with high-quality digital recordings on a single media that have structure and allow navigation through the publication.
Establishing standards for applying structure is a necessity in the international exchange of information. A single standard will facilitate the exchange of digital talking books (DTBs) regardless of where they are produced. Global consensus on the organization and structure of DTBs may impact future developments in recording and playback software and devices. Ultimately blind and print disabled readers will benefit.
This document provides information on the correct application of the XML element set DTBook, a key segment of the ANSI/NISO standard Z39.86-2002, Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (also referred to as DAISY 3). Links to the standard and information on its development and use can be found at http://www.loc.gov/nls/z3986. When a DAISY 3 DTB includes a textual content file containing part or all of the contents of a publication, DTBook elements will be used to mark up that file. The resulting file must be valid to the XML Document Type Definition dtbook110.dtd, as specified in ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002. The file will be synchronized with the corresponding audio file to allow simultaneous presentation of content in multiple formats (audio, braille, enlarged type, etc.)
In principle, the DAISY DTB should be a faithful representation of a published work to ensure that visually impaired and print-disabled readers have access to the same information as the reader of the original print publication. The Structure Guidelines conform to principles laid out in the "Statement of Principles for the Creation and Production of Accessible Books and Materials".
The DAISY Consortium recommends that structure, at a mimimum level of that of the print publication, be applied to any DAISY DTB containing a textual content file. However, extensive markup may demand significant resources. The level of structure and markup chosen by the producer will therefore depend upon striking a balance between the resources available, the requirements of the publication, and the needs of the visually impaired and print-disabled readers.
It may sometimes be difficult to incorporate the exact structure and content of a given print publication into a DTB. In such cases the Structure Guidelines provide the necessary flexibility for producers to apply solutions that they determine are best suited to creating a DTB version.
Throughout these Guidelines the terms of the book printing and publishing world are used. The key reference is The Chicago Manual of Style. The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors and Publishers. 14th edition. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago, 1993.
Copyright © 2002 DAISY Consortium