Media Release
Innovative Digital Audio Device opens up the World for the Print-handicapped
17 August 2004
A digital audio device that helps print-handicapped people access the printed word more quickly and effectively has won this year’s Pierre Gorman Research Award.
Coordinator of Information Technology Services at the Maribyrnong Library Service, Lloyd Brady and City of Maribyrnong’s Access for All Abilities Coordinator, Steven Hurd, have won $15,000 for their project ‘Digital Audio for the Disabled’ (DAD.)
The DAD system uses hand-held digital audio players that can store up to 24 hours of audio information and run for 30 hours without recharging. Users can download talking books from the internet, selecting from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction reading material.
The new technology, developed by Australian company Audio-Read and to be implemented at the Maribyrnong Library Service, is a first of its kind in Victorian libraries and provides a model that other public libraries can copy.
Lloyd Brady says, ‘One of the advantages of the DAD Audio-Read system is its ability to convert any text file to digital audio using a natural human voice. This means that print-handicapped people will have immediate access to today’s newspapers.’
The Pierre Gorman Research Award began in 1997 under the auspices of the Library Board of Victoria. It is named in honour of Dr Pierre Gorman CBE, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to research and development to benefit people with disabilities.
The Award is one of three grants administered by the Public Libraries Unit, at the State Library of Victoria.
The Pierre Gorman Award will be presented by Library Board of Victoria member Susan Halliday at the State Library of Victoria Conference Centre on Tuesday August 17, 2004 at 1.20pm
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