Learning how to write research papers and essays can be overwhelming for students with low vision or print disabilities that impact access to standard print. By default, many research sources are presented in inaccessible formats that are not compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers or accessibility settings for digital text, meaning that students and their support teams often have to find out if they can get information in an accessible format before they can even consider reading it. As part of my Writing Success series, here is how I find research sources in accessible formats and search for academic texts as a student with a print disability.
Identifying file formats on research databases
Academic databases vary in terms of accessible file formats offered and support for assistive technologies; while almost every database I have encountered offers a PDF, other responsive file formats may not be widely available across platforms. Some articles are listed on multiple databases, with each database having different file formats available for text, so users may prefer to search specific databases or research sources to find what they need.
I typically find articles through my college’s library using the “Libraries Search” search box to search multiple databases simultaneously, unless I am doing a targeted literature review. As part of the search results for each article, I can view which database(s) host the online article; I’ve familiarized myself with the accessibility features and available file formats for several sources so I can quickly open an article in my preferred font sizes or configurations.
While this is by no means a complete list, the following file formats are available on research databases for full-text content. Note that the file formats listed may not be available for all content listed in the database:
- EBSCO: HTML, PDF, MP3
- Elsevier/ScienceDirect: HTML, PDF
- Gale: HTML, PDF, MP3
- JSTOR: PDF, EPUB (books), HTML viewer; accessible PDF on demand
- Project MUSE: HTML, PDF
- ProQuest: HTML, PDF, XLS, RTF, TXT
- Sage: HTML, PDF, EPUB
- Springer: HTML, PDF
- Taylor and Francis: HTML, PDF, MP3
- Wiley: HTML, PDF, PPT (for viewing figures)
HTML format is often the most compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies, as it preserves document structure such as headings, lists, and reading order. PDF accessibility varies widely depending on whether the document has been properly tagged and structured. Some platforms like JSTOR offer an on-demand accessible PDF remediation tool that adds structure, tagging, and other features to support use with assistive technologies. On JSTOR, this option is available in the Download menu as “Request accessible PDF.”
As a doctoral student, I typically gravitate towards using Sage, EBSCO, and ProQuest more frequently than the other options listed. In my personal experience, JSTOR has been inconsistent with low vision accessible materials, so I use that platform less frequently; it’s not wholly inaccessible, just more challenging to use.
Related links
- File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- Online College Library Resources For Digital Access
- How I Write Research Papers On Accessibility Topics
- How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
Searching WorldCat for large print and Braille
WorldCat is a free global research platform that itemizes the collections of thousands of different institutions and allows users to search for titles in libraries near them. Using the Format search filter, users can search for items in a variety of accessible formats, including:
- Large print book
- Braille book
- eBook
- Audiobook
- eAudiobook
WorldCat lets users know where to find a title near them and shares information about reciprocal borrowing agreements as well. Creating a free WorldCat account to link library information is recommended, as in some cases users will be able to view full text for materials online, depending on their institution. I have also used WorldCat in conjunction with tools like OverDrive/Libby to find accessible eBooks at public libraries, which I can access on my computer or iPad.
Related links
- WorldCat.org
- Reading Magazines With The Libby App And Low Vision
- ReciproCard — Find Free Library Cards for Libby | Reciprocal & Non-Resident Cards
- How To Request Multiple Library Cards For Digital Content
Search for HTML version of articles
Sometimes, I will come across an article in a database that is only available as a PDF, or is in a format that I otherwise can’t read. One strategy that has helped me over the years is to search for the article’s DOI (found in the citation) or for the article’s title and author(s) using a search engine, as I can often find the article in another format somewhere else. Google Scholar is one option for finding articles in alternative formats, though I have also used non-academic search engines successfully to locate articles. Some authors also post extended versions of their articles online, which can provide users with even more information about a topic.
Related links
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible library for users with print disabilities, and has a large array of academic research sources including textbooks, journals, books, and other educational texts, including historical texts. Bookshare has over 1.4 million titles and is free for qualified U.S. students from Pre-K through graduate and continuing education with qualifying disabilities. Bookshare also provides resources for getting physical copies of materials in large print and braille; note that Bookshare provides the files needed for embossing rather than embossed braille itself.
I always check Bookshare first when I am looking for a particular book, conference proceedings, textbook, or similar content. However, some Bookshare titles may not include figures, alt text for images, tables, or other supplementary materials; in these instances, I often have to track down an accessible copy of a book somewhere else or file a book quality report with Bookshare.
Related links
- Ten Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Bookshare
- Embossing Bookshare Books | Bookshare
- Reading Bookshare Titles With Microsoft Word
- Ten Questions To Ask When Buying Digital Textbooks
Requesting Braille or large print transcription
There are several organizations that provide braille embossing services. Students can request accessible copies of materials through their college’s Disability Services or assistive technology offices. For students in K-12 public schools, large print copies of research materials can often be requested through a state’s accessible educational materials office (for example, AIM-VA serves K-12 students in Virginia public schools).
For braille embossing, several nonprofit organizations will emboss braille for people outside of their service area at a low cost. Running a web search for “braille embossing services” is a good way to learn more about different options.
Related links
- How To Request Accessible Textbooks In College
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries
- What To Know About College Assistive Technology Specialists
- Receiving Accessible Educational Materials With NIMAC and AIM-VA
Louis Database of Accessible Materials
The Louis database is maintained by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and provides information on accessible educational materials produced in the US and Canada, including large print, braille, digital, and audio formats. The Louis search now also allows users to search across the NIMAC, Bookshare, and Learning Ally databases in one place, making it a powerful starting point for locating accessible materials. This can make it easier to request accessible materials at the local level (as the accessible files may already exist); users can also reach out to APH librarians for more information.
Related links
- Find accessible educational materials | APH Louis
- How To Create Accessible Summer Reading Lists For Print Disabilities
- How To Find Accessible Picture Books For Low Vision
AccessText Network and searchBOX
The AccessText Network, now operated by the Association of American Publishers, is not for students or researchers to use directly. Through AccessText Network, assistive technology specialists and service providers can get digital copies of textbooks in accessible formats directly from another institution or from the publisher, which helps to prevent repetitive uploads and speed up the process of giving students access to the textbooks they need for their classes. This is offered through the Accessible Textbook Finder service, which searches multiple vendors by ISBN or title and provides combined results with links to accessible formats.
Another resource I have found helpful for finding accessibility information for publishers and other academic databases is searchBOX finder, which provides accessibility contacts and available accessibility statements for vendors and publishers around the world. This can be useful for alternative format requests or for filing accessibility bugs.
Related links
- Textbook Finder | AccessText Network
- textBOX | searchBOX
- How Bookshare Books Come To Life
- Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility
HathiTrust
HathiTrust is a large online library and database for research sources, and has several options for browsing content in an accessible format for users at participating colleges and institutions. The free Accessible Text Request Service (ATRS) can provide users with documented print disabilities access to full-text content from any title in the HathiTrust Digital Library (including copyrighted items) in a digital accessible format. Users will need to make this request through their institution’s contact, such as an assistive technology specialist or disability services office.
The quality of accessible PDFs from ATRS depends on the quality of the OCR from the digitized volume. Poor OCR can often be corrected by reporting the issue to HathiTrust Support.
Related links
Open Access databases and repositories
Open access databases provide free, unrestricted access to scholarly content without requiring institutional login credentials. These resources can be especially valuable for users who do not have access to a university library, or who need to locate a specific article in a format that is not available through their institution’s subscriptions.
CORE
CORE is the world’s largest aggregator of open access research papers. A not-for-profit, community-governed service, CORE indexes content from repositories and journals worldwide and provides both metadata and full-text access to its collection. CORE is free for everyone and does not require an account or institutional affiliation. It is particularly useful for locating papers that have been deposited in institutional repositories, which may be available in HTML or structured formats that are more accessible than publisher PDFs.
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
DOAJ is a curated index of peer-reviewed open access journals from around the world. DOAJ is committed to ensuring that quality content is freely available online for everyone, and its index includes both journal-level and article-level search. Because DOAJ only indexes journals that meet its quality criteria, it is a reliable starting point for finding peer-reviewed open access content, typically in HTML formats.
PubMed Central (PMC)
PMC is a free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health. Articles are displayed in structured HTML that is responsive to different screen sizes and devices and is compatible with assistive technologies. PMC is freely accessible to anyone without an institutional login and is an essential resource for research in health, medicine, and the life sciences.
Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
ERIC is a free online library of education research and information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC indexes journal articles, reports, conference papers, dissertations, and other education-related materials, and provides full text for a large portion of its collection directly on the site. Search results can be filtered to show only items with full text available on ERIC, making it easier to locate content that can be accessed immediately. ERIC is freely available to the public without an institutional login and is an essential resource for research in education, special education, and related fields.
Science.gov
Science.gov provides a single search interface for science information published across multiple federal government databases, including NASA, NIH, EPA, ERIC, and many more. Content in this database is typically available in HTML or PDF formats.
Internet Archive Open Library
The Internet Archive’s Open Library is an open, editable library catalog with more than 3 million books available to borrow for free. In addition to its general lending collection, the Internet Archive participates in a special access program for patrons with certified print disabilities, offered in accordance with the Marrakesh Treaty, which exists to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.
As of May 2025, the Internet Archive streamlined its print disability access process. Patrons who register for a free Internet Archive Open Library account can apply for special print disability access through a qualifying program. Qualifying programs include BARD (the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download service), Bookshare, ACE (Accessible Content E-Portal), and participating universities that have a relationship with the patron. Once certified, print disabled patrons have special access to a digital repository of more than 1.5 million accessible titles, available through the web browser or via protected downloads.
Bonus: OpenStax
OpenStax provides free, peer-reviewed open educational resources (OER), primarily college-level textbooks. All OpenStax textbooks are available in HTML, PDF, and EPUB formats at no cost and are designed to be compatible with assistive technologies. While OpenStax is not a database for journal articles, it is a strong resource for accessible course textbooks across many disciplines, including introductory courses in the sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and humanities.
For audio formats of OpenStax content, check out the AudiLeo website linked below.
Related links
- CORE.ac.uk | The world’s largest collection of open access research papers
- Directory of Open Access Journals – DOAJ
- PubMed
- ERIC – Education Resources Information Center
- Science.gov
- Qualifying Authorities for Print-Disabled Access: Internet Archive
- OpenStax
- Audileo | Official OpenStax Audiobooks/Audio Textbooks
More tips on how I find research sources in accessible formats
- Already found a research source and want to make it accessible? Check out How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
- To learn more about accessible digital text for low vision, read A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- Want to read more posts in the Writing Success series? Visit Writing Success Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes or view the Reading/Writing category at Reading And Writing Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes
Published July 9, 2020. Updated June 2026