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child listenAudio and video collections provide essential resources for people with special needs. In addition to the materials of interest to all patrons, it's important to consider special needs as you select audio and video materials. These considerations need to be made for audiotapes, CDs, videotapes, DVDs, and other library media. In addition, digital audio and video web resources must be evaluated.

Some of the most common topics are addressed below.

checkRead the off-site article, Media Access by Joe Clark. This article focuses on understanding media-access terminology. Also, read the off-site article, Audio Visual Cataloguing Secrets Revealed! by Stuart Bayens of the Edmonton Public Library. This article discusses closed captioning, descriptive videos, and talking books.

Resources for Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Closed-captioning benefits millions of people each year. Closed captions are visible text that represent spoken audio and other sounds. The text appears somewhere on the screen. The written language of audio includes narration and other description to help the viewer understand what's happening. For example if an actor is singing, then a music symbol might be added to the text. You'll notice this if you watch the movie Oklahoma.

Closed captions are hidden in the video signal. They can be accessed using the remote control on newer televisions. Laws address what video and programs must contain these captions. Broadcast, cable, and satellite television distributors are required to provide closed captioning in their programming.

In addition to the deaf and hearing impaired, people who are learning English as a second language benefit from closed-captioning.

Open captioning is an integral part of the image. They are like subtitles that can't be turned off and on. DVDs sometimes provide a number of caption options.

Subtitling is not designed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing audio because it doesn't provide notations for sound effects and other significant audio.

American Sign Language (ASL) is sometimes used in video. An interpreter is shown in the corner of the screen.

how toLibraries should be aware of the differences among closed-captioning, open-captioning, and subtitling when purchasing materials.

Use the following resources for additional information:

Resources for Blind and Visually Impaired

Descriptive Video Service / Descriptive Video Information (DVS/DVI) contains audio narration that explains the key visual elements within the program for people who are blind or visually impaired. To carry video description, a station must broadcast in stereo and be Second Audio Program (SAP)-equipped. The DVS/DVI provides the listening audience with descriptions of scenes, action, settings, costumes and body language in the natural pauses of dialogue or songs. The descriptions would be missed by people just listening to the standard sound track.

Since April 1, 2002, the FCC has mandated that the four major networks provide about four hours of described prime time and/or children's video programming per week. Public television (PBS) has been providing described video for a number of years in programs such as "The American Experience", "Masterpiece Theatre", "Nature", "NOVA", and "Mystery!" However, all to often described video programming is not available in a certain location or for a specific program. Hopefully over time, video description will become a natural part of all television programming.

Talking Books are cassette tapes or CDs that are specially designed for people who are unable to read or hold conventional books. Although they are similar to audiobooks, they are made specifically for people with special needs.

Audio and Video Web Accessibility

Web accessibility is an issues for all kinds of special needs. Progress has been made in hardware such as large monitors and software such as screen readers. Unfortunately many of the web audio and video materials are not accessible.

checkRead the off-site article, Understanding Web accessibility by Joe Clark (2003) , Journal of Volunteer Administration; 21(1), 2003, 36–39. The author explains the basics of Web accessibility; explores the range of disability groups involved, with population statistics; and provides references for accessible Web authoring.

Learning Disabilities

In addition to visual and hearing disabilities, special considerations must also be made for people with learning disabilities. Nonreaders may benefit from audiobooks and video presentations.

checkRead the off-site article, Top 4 Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers by Ann Logsdon at About.com Learning Disabilities. She discusses the importantance of audiobooks being available in a library collection and provides some strategies for their use. Create a "special needs" statement that might be included in your collection development policy.

checkAlso read Gay Miller's experience with using audiobooks in her work with 4th, 5th and 6th graders who have learning disabilities: Audio Bookshelf - Educator of the Month (Dec. 2006).

Accessibility Links

In this course, we focus on assistive technology for audio and video materials. Keeping in mind that technology is repidly changing and the need to stay aware of varied technologies for use with individual and special needs learners, the following websites provide more information:

Go to Special Needs and Technology from eduScapes Teacher Tap for more information. Or, try the following links:

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