Read Out Loud
General Considerations
- Most library eBook content can be read with JAWS.
- In general any article or book available in PDFmay be downloaded and read aloud in Adobe Acrobat
- Screens can be enlarged either with software (Chromebook, ZoomText) or hardware (portable or handheld CCTV)
- eBooks created in HTML are easily accessible using the JAWS reader
- A list of databases offering accessible eBooks follows below
- When all else fails ask an ADA Counselor or a librarian for assistance.
Special Cases
- Full-text Gale eBooks feature the native "Listen" technology accessible with each chapter display
- Infobase Publishing eBooks can be downloaded in PDF format and read more easily either with JAWS or Acrobat
- Springer eBook chapters can be downloaded DRM-free in PDF format and read more easily either with JAWS or Acrobat
- Proquest, ebrary, and elibro eBook chapters can be downloaded DRM-free in PDF format and read more easily either with JAWS or Acrobat
- Some older EBSCOhost eBooks, most notably older NetLibrary eBooks, cannot be read with either JAWS or Adobe Acrobat
- Some Library databases, such as JSTOR, including Open Access JSTOR eBook contain PDFs of page images. Since these pages were not created with optical character recognition they cannot be read aloud with either JAWS or Acrobat
- A list of databases offering downloadable PDF content follows below
Selected Databases of Accessible eBooks
- Ebrary/e-Libro
Large collection of academic eBooks in Spanish. Learn to Use e-Libro, ebrary and ProQuest eBook Central.
- EBSCO eBook Collection
This multidisciplinary collection includes thousands of e-books covering a large selection of academic subjects and features e-books from leading publishers and university presses. Removes access barriers with hundreds of thousands of DRM-free options that can easily be read on any device.
- JSTOR Open Content
Access JSTOR's curated collection of thousands of open access ebooks, ejournals, images and media, and research reports in this database. The titles are easy to use, with no DRM restrictions and no limits on chapter PDF downloads or printing. (Full-text)
- Science & Technology eBook Subscription
The Science and Technology Ebook Subscription offers more than 28,000 carefully curated ebooks spanning coverage in all science and technology topics with exceptional strength in computers and IT, engineering, life and physical sciences, and math. It is designed to facilitate the research workflow and outcomes for your library and its users. The Subscription included renowned publishers such as Wiley, Island Press, World Scientific Press, University of North Carolina Press, Elsevier Science, Rutgers University Press, and Temple University Press.
- Gale Literature: Scribner Writer SeriesBrowse original scholarly essays on authors from around the world. Places authors and their works in personal and historical context.
- SpringerLink & Springer Nature eBooks
Hundreds of thousands of ebooks, ejournals, and other materials on every scientific discipline with some arts and humanities. (Some full-text)
- Gale Literature: Twayne's Author SeriesFind in-depth critical introductions to the lives and works of major writers. Includes influences of literary movements.
