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
Before identifying potential workflows for reading research sources with assistive technology, it is helpful to identify what file format(s) or accessible media option(s) are available and that will best support the user with their reading goals. 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.
While this is by no means a complete list, I have encountered the following file formats available on research databases for full-text content:
- EBSCO: HTML, PDF, MP3
- Elsevier/ScienceDirect: HTML, PDF
- Gale: HTML, PDF, MP3
- JSTOR: PDF
- 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)
Please note that the file formats listed above may not be available for all content listed in the database.
Related links
- How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
- Online College Library Resources For Digital Access
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
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. I recommend creating a free WorldCat account to link library information, as in some cases users will be able to view full text for materials online, depending on their institution.
Related links
- WorldCat.org
- File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- My Favorite Digital Library Resources For Low Vision
- Online College Library Resources For Digital Access
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 is free for K-12 and college students in the United States, and also provides resources for getting physical copies of Bookshare materials in large print and braille- note that Bookshare does not provide embossed braille, rather it gives users the files they need to emboss it on their own.
Related links
- Ten Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Bookshare
- Embossing Bookshare Books | Bookshare
- Reading Bookshare Titles With Microsoft Word
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, which is how I receive digital copies of my textbooks in large print. When I was in high school, I could request large print copies of research materials for my classes through my state’s accessible educational materials office, AIM-VA, which serves K-12 students in public schools.
For braille embossing, I’ve encountered a few different nonprofit organizations that will emboss braille for people outside of their service area at a low cost, though I don’t have any direct experience using any of them- I recommend running a web search for “braille embossing services” to learn more about different options.
Related links
- How To Request Accessible Textbooks In College
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
- 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 American Printinghouse for the Blind and provides information on accessible educational materials produced in the US and Canada, including large print, braille, digital, and audio formats. This can make it easier to request accessible materials at the local level (as the accessible files already exist), and 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
AccessText Network isn’t for students/researchers to use directly, but still provides users with textbooks in accessible formats. 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 in giving students access to the textbooks they need for their classes. The most common format for textbooks shared on AccessText is an unlocked PDF, and over 90% of requests are fulfilled in three days or less- this was really helpful when I transferred into a different class and had to quickly track down a textbook.
Related links
- Home | AccessText Network
- How Bookshare Books Come To Life
- Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility
Hathi Trust
Hathi Trust is another large online library/database for research sources, and has several options for browsing content in an accessible format for users at participating colleges/institutions. One service is the free Accessible Text Request Service, which can provide users with documented print disabilities access to full-text content from any title in Hathi Trust in a digital accessible format. Users will need to make this request through their institution’s contact- at my college, this is the assistive technology office.
Related links
- HathiTrust Digital Library | Millions of books online
- Accessibility | HathiTrust Digital Library
- Awesome On-Campus College Library Resources
FindAccessibleBooks
FindAccessibleBooks features a free publisher lookup tool that makes it easier to request accessible materials and alternative formats for service providers. FindAccessibleBooks provides information about accessible formats provided by the publisher, whether the publisher has titles uploaded on Bookshare, and if their content is “born accessible” and is compatible with assistive technology by default. This tool is designed to complement the services offered by the AccessText Network, and is another great resource for requesting accessible materials on behalf of students.
Related links
- FindAccessibleBooks website
- Reading Chegg eTextbooks With Low Vision
- Amazon Kindle App and Low Vision Accessibility
Science.gov
Looking for science information that has been published in a federal government database? Science.gov has options for searching across multiple organizations such as NASA, NIH, EPA, ERIC, and many more. Information included in this database is typically shared in HTML or PDF formats, and does not require users to log into a specific institution, meaning that anyone can access information on this website.
Related links
- Science.gov: USA.gov for Science – Government Science Portal
- How To Run Effective Web Searches
- US Government Programs For Blind/Low Vision Residents
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 September 2024