This exemplar contains a series of filesets ranging from baseline NIMAS 1.1 source files to complex output versions. Its purpose is to demonstrate a variety of possible products available from a NIMAS fileset with varying levels of additional mark-up. Several versions are currently provided in the series, each with different features, suitable for different uses. Additional versions will be posted in the future, including Braille-format files.
The content of this exemplar series should not be re-posted to other sites, nor may it be sold for commercial purposes. Organizations wishing to make this content available to others may link to this page in order to obtain the most current versions. Questions about this exemplar should be addressed to nimas@cast.org.
First posted on 09/17/08.
To download documents:
This version is the most complex in the series and includes leveled supports; a multimedia glossary; value-added activities and resources; a Texthelp Toolbar for text-to-speech, highlighting and gathering, and other features; and translations between English and Spanish. It is hoped that schools may one day be able to purchase such versatile UDL versions directly from K–12 publishers.
The baseline NIMAS 1.1 files comprise the basic NIMAS fileset that would be submitted by an educational publisher. There are two baseline sets provided: the first set includes images at 72 dpi and the second set includes a set of images at 300 dpi. Images for this selection were originally created at 72 dpi for use in online environments. They have been scaled up to 300 dpi for additional uses. Download the set that reflects desired output product(s) from this source.
These exemplars include the following, one for each set:
Download zip file of baseline NIMAS 1.1 with 72 dpi image set
Download zip file of baseline NIMAS 1.1 with 300 dpi image set
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process baseline NIMAS 1.1 filesets according to their own features and capabilities:
The baseline NIMAS 1.1 fileset validates to the NIMAS v1.1 Technical Specification, the DAISY2005 DTD, the oebps 1.2 specification, and the NIMAC validator.
These HTML files have been converted from their XML versions by changing their extension. Please see the XHTML version for a true HTML file that validates to the XHTML 1.0 Transitional DTD. The image set provided in this zip file contains 72 dpi images since HTML outputs are intended for on-screen use (where 72 dpi images are typically used).
Please note: The primary use of an ext-only HTML file is in order to view content and images in a browser to ensure that it is complete and accurate as an aid to production. It is not a student-ready version and should not be used as such. To create an ext-only version, change the file extension from -.xml to -.html and add a reference to a css file within <head>. (The css reference must match the css stylesheet filename.) Include a base css file within the fileset folder and open the ext-only document in a browser.
The HTML extension fileset includes the following:
Download HTML ext-only zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the ext-only HTML fileset according to their own features and capabilities:
This XHTML validates to the XHTML 1.0 Transitional DTD. Its mark-up differs from that of the HTML extension-only files. The XHTML fileset includes the following:
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the XHTML fileset according to their own features and capabilities:
This HTML version was created using the NIMAS Conversion Tool. It includes HTML files in leveled segments.
The HTML fileset includes the following:
Download NIMAS Conversion Tool zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the NIMAS Conversion Tool HTML output according to their own features and capabilities:
This Braille version was created using Dolphin's EasyConverter software.
The Braille 2000-format fileset includes the following:
Download EasyConverter Braille zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the EasyConverter Braille output according to their own features and capabilities:
This Adobe Acrobat PDF version was generated automatically from an RTF output file with images and has no additional tagging.
The Acrobat PDF version includes the following:
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the PDF version according to their own features and capabilities:
This ePub format version was created automatically using the DAISY Pipeline (based on the Eclipse Rich Client Platform) digital book converter. More information is available from the DAISY Consortium.
The DAISY Pipeline version includes the following:
Download DAISY Pipeline ePub-format version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the ePub version according to their own features and capabilities:
This DTB version was generated automatically using the online version of DTBMaker, a digital audio book converter that includes audio and text with a highlighting feature.
The DTBMaker version includes the following:
Download DTBMaker version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the DTBMaker version according to their own features and capabilities:
This DTB was created using Dolphin's EasyConverter software.
The EasyConverter DTB fileset includes the following:
Download EasyConverter DTB zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the EasyConverter DTB output according to their own features and capabilities:
This LP version was created using Dolphin's EasyConverter software.
The EasyCovnerter LP fileset includes the following:
Download EasyConverter LP zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the EasyConverter LP version according to their own features and capabilities:
This MP3 version was created using Dolphin's EasyConverter software.
The EasyConverter MP3 fileset includes the following:
Download EasyConverter MP3 audio zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the EasyConverter MP3 version according to their own features and capabilities:
This text version was created using Dolphin's EasyConverter software.
The EasyConverter text fileset includes the following:
Download EasyConverter text version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the EasyConverter text version according to their own features and capabilities:
This DTB version was generated automatically using gh’s Player software. It retains gh’s default formatting.
The ghPlayer DTB fileset includes the following:
Download ghPlayer version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the ghPlayer DTB version according to their own features and capabilities:
This KES version was created using Kurzweil 3000 software demo. Kurzweil imports files and creates a proprietary KES format file for use with the software.
The Kurzweil 3000 version includes the following:
Download Kurzweil3000 version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the Kurzweil 3000 KES version according to their own features and capabilities:
Kurzweil3000
This Read:OutLoud version was created using Don Johnston’s SOLO Read:OutLoud 1.1 software and must be saved in the following location in order to be useable: C:\DonJohnston\SOLO\Students\Learner1 and users must log on as a student, Learner 1, and use the software’s default password of 123456. Don Johnston also has plans to release a free Bookshare Edition of its Read:OutLoud software for use by qualified students. See the Bookshare Edition version on this page for more information, or visit the Don Johnston, Inc. web site.
Download the Read:OutLoud version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the Read:OutLoud version according to their own features and capabilities:
Coming soon.
This RTF version was created using TechAdapt’s online conversion tool. It includes images within the files (optional) and is divided into two segments (granularity of division includes several options).
The TechAdapt RTF fileset includes the following:
Download TechAdapt RTF version zip file
The following software applications (free or commercial) are among those able to process the TechAdapt RTF outputs according to their own features and capabilities:
A small sample of free and commercial products for use with accessible formats are described below. Technology changes rapidly and therefore this page should not be considered comprehensive but rather as a representative sample. There are many applications available, and users of accessible version files are encouraged to seek out products that meet their needs, whether one of those listed on this page or elsewhere. Resources are provided for informational purposes only and inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement or quality assurance. Users are encouraged to contact companies and organizations directly to make specific inquiries regarding products and services.
AMIS is free-of-charge, open source DAISY book playback software. While version 3.0 is expected to be released in 2008, version 2.6 (and version 2.6.1 for JAWS) may be downloaded from the AMIS web site.
Bookshare.org and Don Johnston, Inc. plan to release a free version of Read:OutLoud software in 2008. A text reader, Read:OutLoud will be available to qualified students for use with Bookshare’s library. A Windows PC and a Mac version will be available. More information about the program is available via Bookshare.org’s press release on the topic. More information about Bookshare and/or Don Jonston is available at their web sites.
CLiCK, Speak is a free extension for the Firefox browser designed for sighted users who want text-to-speech functionality. It has a mouse-driven interface and is compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. The software may be downloaded from the CLiCK, Speak web site.
HumanWare’s Victor Reader is a DTB player available in a variety of models for use in digital book playback. In May of 2007, HumanWare announced via a press release a partnership with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) to provide portable players suitable for use with RFB&D’s AudioPlus format books. More information about Victor Reader is available at HumanWare’s web site. More information about RFB&D is available at their web site.
Mobipocket Reader 6.2 is a free digital library software application for Windows PCs and mobile devices, Palms, Blackberrys, and Symbians. It is billed as a way to “build, organize, read, and annotate your entire eBook [or DTB] library” (from the web site). It can be downloaded directly to Windows XP and Vista computers, or installed manually to mobile devices via Unix, Mac, and Windows 98/ME computers. More information is available at the Mobipocket web site.
“WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards)” which speaks and highlights text of Word documents (from the web site). More information is available at WordTalk's web site.
EasyConverter is Dolphin's conversion software for creating a variety of output formats, including, as noted on their web site, large print, Braille, MP3, DAISY DTB, and text, from a variety of source files, including text, RTF, Word, HTML, and XML. More information about EasyConverter is available from the Dolphin web site.
ghPlayer software is designed for use with text files, DAISY books, and NIMAS filesets. Features include text-to-speech, highlighting, magnification, and Braille output. A free trial version may be downloaded from the gh web site.
Victor Reader is a DTB player available in a variety of models for use in digital book playback. Commercial software for use with Victor Readers is also available from HumanWare. Players and software can be purchased from their web site.
Stanza is a freeware application designed for reading e-books from a Mac, PC, the iPhone, iTouch, or Kindle. Created by Lexcycle, it features optional non-scrolling navigation, layout and font choices, and can be used with Word, RTF, ePub, PDF, HTML, and unlocked Kindle, Mobipocket, and Palm files. For more information or to download the application, go to the Stanza web page.
Read:OutLoud is an accessible text reader created by Don Johnston, Inc. for use with the following file formats: PDF, RTF, text, XML, NIMAS XML, HTML, DAISY. Read:OutLoud is able to import NIMAS 1.1 XML files and convert them for use with the software, including images if present. More information about its features is available from the web site.
Read & Write GOLD is designed as a floating toolbar-style supported reading software application for use with Microsoft’s Word and Explorer, PDF documents, etc., even screenshots. Information on its many features is available from the TextHelp web site.
The Sony Reader is a portable device designed to read a variety of e-book and other formats (Word, RTF, PDF, ePub, HTML, etc.) as well as audio (MP3 and ACC) and image (JPG, GIF, PNG, etc.) files using a paper-like display screen. For more information, visit the Sony Reader web page.
Window-Eyes is a screenreading software designed to work with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, 2003, XP, and Vista; and Windows-based applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer, MediaPlayer, etc. Window-Eyes supports many Braille displays and drivers and dozens of voice synthsizers. More information is available via EnableMart’s web site.
ZoomText is a screen magnification (and -reader) software application designed to enlarge on-screen text and images with minimal loss of resolution (clarity). It includes support for the use of two monitors, magnification up to x36, and four speech synthesizers. More information is available from the Ai Squared web site.
Additional commercial software products for playback of DTBs are described on the AIM web site’s Supported Reading Software page.
The NIMAS Development and Technical Assistance Center, supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), works with states, TA systems, disability advocates, national associations, technology experts, publishers and content conversion houses to improve the timely delivery of high quality accessible educational materials to students with disabilities.The NIMAS Center was launched on October 1, 2004.The project officer for both the Development and TA Centers is Bonnie Jones, Ed.D. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the Department of Education's position or policy.