Reaching Forward to the 21st Century

"User Requirements for the Next Generation of Talking Books"

Recommendations for developers, producers, suppliers and providers of new technology talking book players and services from the users' point of view.

A report by the European Blind Union 
Expert Working Group on Next Generation Talking Books 

EUROPEAN BLIND UNION

About EBU

The European Blind Union (EBU) is the coordinating NGO for the visual impairment sector on the European Disability Forum in Brussels. The Forum is the consultative body made up of organisations representing disabled people originally established within the framework of the HELIOS II programme, and independent from 1 January 1997.

Contacting EBU

You can contact EBU at their office:

Mokrane Boussaid, Director
58 Avenue Bosquet
75007 Paris
Tel: +33 1 47 05 38 20
Fax: +33 1 47 05 38 21

EBU Expert Working Group on Next Generation Talking books

If you wish to contact the Expert Group please do so via the Secretariat:

Jillian Harvey, Secretariat, EBU-TBEG
c/o RNIB Peterborough
Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate
Peterborough  PE2 6XU
England
Tel:  +44 (0) 17 33 37 07 77
Fax: +44 (0) 17 33 39 81 65
E-mail:  jharvey@rnib.org.uk
RNIB WWW Page: http://www.rnib.org.uk

The work of the group and the publication of this report have been part funded by the HELIOS programme, of DGV/E3 Integration of Disabled People of the European Commission.

This report is available in English, French and Spanish and in alternative formats on request. German and Russian versions are also being prepared.

Designed and published by Royal National Institute for the Blind on behalf 	of EBU.

User Requirements for the Next Generation of Talking Books

Contents

	Page

Foreword	4
Reactions to this report 	5
1	An Introduction to EBU	6
2	EBU Expert Working Group on Next Generation Talking Books	8
3	General Requirements	9
3.1	Target Group for Talking Book Services	9
3.2	Information Needs 	9
3.3	Reading Media 	10
3.4	Reading Like Everybody Else	11
3.5	Reading the Same Things as Everybody Else	11
3.6	The Role of New Technology	12

4	Specific Recommendations	12
4.1	Background 	12
4.2	A Global Technology	13
4.3	Standard Approach to Presentation	14
4.4	Organisation of Library Services	14
4.5	Quality of Voice and Sound	15
4.6	Creation of Books for General Use	15
4.7	Distribution	16
4.8	User Equipment: Design of Players for General Use	17
4.9	Specific Needs for Academic and Employment Reading	19

Foreword

"This report is another contribution by the European Blind Union towards independence of blind and partially sighted people in society.  It represents users’ views on the requirements of new technology talking books.  Many organisations were consulted for this report: principally EBU member organisations of blind people, but also organisations for blind people, libraries, producers of talking books and suppliers and developers of equipment.  This report’s ultimate goal is to bring talking book users much more flexibility in the future.  It is therefore of value to all audiences but particularly to those who will be developing, producing and supplying new technology talking books.  Another goal of this report is to highlight the importance of allowing simultaneous use of a talking book and a text book.  Finally this report calls for world standards that would allow the use of new technology talking books all over the world by blind and partially sighted people which will mean further integration and independence.”

Arne Husveg, President, European Blind Union

Reactions to this report 

“The Danish National Library for the Blind has received and read the “User Requirements for the Next Generation of Talking Books”.  We think the document is extremely useful and necessary for the planning and the development of new talking book technologies, book production, and libraries for the blind.”

Winnie Vitzansky, Director, Danish National Library for the Blind

“I would like to note that this is a very profound and comprehensive statement of requirements from the users perspective.  As professionals we who try to deliver the service can work on the technical issues of delivery, for this is the business that we are involved in, and it is our mission to deliver what the users want.  But without a clear statement from the users themselves, we are but guides in the dark.”

Rosemary Kavanagh, Executive Director, Canadian National Institute for the Blind

“ONCE is committed to the vision of a world library of special format material useable by all blind people.  This report clearly sets out our requirements and challenges the developments of the next generation talking books.”

Samuel Rodriguez Fontecha, Director, Bibliographic and Cultural Centre, ONCE (Spanish National Organisation for the Blind)

1	An Introduction to EBU

EBU

The European Blind Union (EBU) is a non-governmental and non-profit making European organisation, founded in 1984.  It is the principal organisation representing the interests of blind and partially sighted people in Europe with membership made up of organisations of and for visually impaired (VI) people in 43 European countries.  EBU has formal consultative status as the coordinating NGO for the visual impairment sector on the European Disability Forum in Brussels.  

Data

Good data on the incidence and prevalence of “blindness” are hard to find; most depend on individuals registering as “blind or partially sighted”, and these data are acknowledged to be considerable underestimates.  Recent studies suggest that 16 per 1,000 of the UK population have a registrable visual disability, ie they are unable to recognise from a distance of 6 metres characters that someone with normal vision can recognise from a distance of 18 metres.

Why this report?

Talking books (TBs) are an essential information medium for “blind” or “partially sighted” people and at the forefront of service provision in organisations of and for VI people.  The current generation of cassette technology on which TBs services are based is coming to an end.  Many projects are going on around the world looking into the next generation TBs.  

EBU perceived the danger that new technology could be introduced without taking into account the views of the users and it therefore set up a working group to ensure strong and timely consumer input into the technological developments.  One of the group’s objectives was to develop, in consultation with users and organisations, user requirements for new technology TBs.  This report is the result.  After consultation EBU has adopted as policy the recommendations concerning user requirements in this report.  The objective of the report is to inform developers, producers, suppliers and providers of TB players and services of the requirements of print disabled, and in particularly, blind and partially sighted people. 

What can you do?

The recommendations in this report have been written from the users’ point of view, for you as developers, producers, suppliers and providers of TB services.  You are kindly requested to read this report carefully and ensure that you use the recommendations when you are developing or involved with any projects on new technology TBs.  

EBU would also be willing to get involved in testing and evaluating new technology TBs, or instance with prototype designs at an early stage. 

Terminology: Talking Books and Audio Books

TBs are books whose text has been recorded onto cassette.  Traditionally they have been created for people with a reading disability, and particularly for blind and partially sighted people.  Commercial audio books have now become a general medium of entertainment and to a lesser extent learning.  This report therefore uses the emerging industry standard terminology of “talking book” to mean services and products aimed at print disabled people, and “audio books” to mean those aimed at the general (sighted) population.

Book and Player

The word “book” is used to mean the cassette, disk, or other medium and the word “player” to mean replay device.  The player may actually be able to record and play, or even be a PC, or just a simple replay device.

2     EBU Expert Working Group on Next Generation Talking Books

The EBU Board set up an Expert Working Group on Next Generation Talking Books in 1994.  The group members are:

-	Stephen King
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB UK), Chair

-	Jaap van Lelieveld
Chairman, EBU Commission on Technical Devices & Services 
(Dutch Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Holland)

-	Kurt Nielsen
Chairman, EBU Commission on Access to Culture & Information 
(Danish Association of the Blind, Denmark)

-	Václav Polásek
Vice Chairman, EBU Commission on Access to Culture & Information 
(Czech Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Czech Republic)

‑	Branislav Mamojka
Vice Chairman, EBU Commission on Technical Devices & Services
(Slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union, Slovak Republic)

-	Vladislav Stepanov 
Member, EBU Commission on Technical Devices & Services
(All-Russian Association of the Blind, Russia)

-	Jillian Harvey
Secretariat (RNIB UK)

Members represent the interests of blind and partially sighted people in all 43 member states, not just those of the sponsoring countries.  The group has met three times and held a working seminar supported by HELIOS funding.  
The board of EBU has charged the expert group with specific terms of reference.
In addition to informing developers, producers, suppliers and providers of the wishes of blind and partially sighted people, the group’s further objectives are to gather and disseminate information on new developments; to test and examine new products and services; to reduce technological barriers to universal access to culture and information; to protect the interests of blind and partially sighted consumers in this area; and to encourage the adoption of worldwide standards to promote best practice and economies of scale.

3	General Requirements

3.1	Target Group for Talking Book Services

About 4% of the population have a print disability - for example, visual impairment, learning disability, functional disability, aphasia, dyslexia, chronic illness and people who are illiterate. This report concentrates on blind and partially sighted people.

Visual impairment means blindness or impaired eyesight which makes it difficult or impossible to read ordinary written text independently and without adapted equipment.  It is believed that approximately 0.25% of the population in many European countries use audio cassette recorders to “read”.

When developing the next generation of TBs, it is important to remember that most VI people are elderly citizens whose eyesight has deteriorated after retirement age.  More than 75% of all VI people are 65 years or older and often have other difficulties.  More than 40% have other disabilities, such as hearing impairments, mobility impairments, arthritis, other functional disabilities, learning difficulties or diabetes.  

VI people are not a homogeneous group.  They are people with different backgrounds, aspirations and needs.  However there are a significant number of younger people in education and employment who have distinctive but often overlapping needs.  Any developments should cater for the needs of all these groups.

3.2	Information Needs 

We are living in an information society where information and communication are said to be the foundation stones of democracy. It is therefore vital that individuals can have access to the ever increasing flow of information and that society appreciates the information needs of VI people.  

VI people cannot read books, news, other information, or even personal mail, if it has not been made accessible. VI people can access in various formats such as large print, talking books, braille or computer disk, standard print material by using magnification or an electronic scanner linked to a PC.

It is crucial that any adapted reading aid is usable in as many situations as possible. Different pieces of equipment should not be required to read different types of information.  A comprehensive solution is needed for the whole range of needs and uses.

We are also living in a society where culture and information are reaching across geographic and linguistic boundaries.  Increasingly people are accessing literature on a global scale. VI people do not wish to be restricted by geography and would like to access the global library of culture and information.

New technology means that vast amounts of information and literature can become accessible to VI people for the first time, and it is important that this move is encouraged and not curtailed by incompatible standards.
3.3	Reading Media 

Visual impairment makes it difficult to access information since it is usually only produced in standard print.  However, accessing information by using different reading media is possible - audio recordings, braille, large print and computer disk.

TBs are recorded mostly on cassettes which presently provide the most accessible reading medium for VI people.  However, one drawback is that reading by listening does not give direct contact with the written text. For example, the reader cannot see the printed words and spellings. In addition there are deaf-blind people who are unable to read or listen to TBs.  There are certain types of texts that are unsuitable for recording.   It is difficult with today’s technical standards to look up things in a TB or turn pages in a simple way.  

Therefore the most common books enjoyed by sighted people throughout Europe - cookery books, gardening books and religious texts - are difficult for VI people to use in a way enjoyed by their sighted colleagues, by using contents pages, indexes and other “structure”. How does one find the chocolate cake recipe? How does one find out about the bug eating one’s prize cabbages? How does one find the text to be used in today’s religious observance? This is called the problem of access to structured texts.

Cassette recordings are however a user-friendly and popular reading medium.  Most people derive great pleasure from TBs and many use them successfully for study.
Many VI people can read printed text with varying degrees of difficulty and comfort if the print is large, clear and distinct and has an easy-to-read layout. However there is a difference between “can read” and “enjoy reading”. The degree of difficulty may be that someone is able to read short print documents: letters, leaflets etc, but they would find it too tiring to enjoy a novel.

Only a very limited number of VI people read and write Braille.  Blindness is age-related and older people find it difficult to read Braille.  Finding one’s way in a Braille text is easy, and it is suitable for texts where one needs to look up things.  However, Braille takes up a great deal of space, and books are bulky.

Today, many VI people use computers to read and write. By using computers, one can access information stored in databases, either by synthetic speech, or enlarged text on the computer screen, or Braille display. There are significant advantages in relation to reading structured texts, making notes and storing large amounts of information in a small space. However adapted computer technology is still very expensive (though getting less) unreliable, unstandardised, not particularly user-friendly and quite challenging to learn to use for the average person.

The sound and speech quality and pace of delivery are very important issues, especially for hearing impaired people (something that affects many older people). Speech synthesis has been very popular among younger people in education and employment who tend to be more adaptable, but for many it is entirely unintelligible.

3.4	Reading Like Everybody Else

VI people have the same needs as everybody else: to read the same types of information.  It should be possible to read the daily newspaper sitting on the bus travelling to work, to relax with a book on the beach, or to study consumer information while shopping in the supermarket.

Information should not be limited to country of origin or language group where VI people live. The multi-ethnic and multi-cultural European population of VI people is increasing.  Culture, education and information are increasingly global in nature. Accessing the global library should be possible for all citizens.

VI people want to be able to read like everyone else and do not want to be forced to read a book from beginning to end.  It should be possible to move forwards and backwards, by headline, by page, by chapter. Reading what is wanted, skipping what is not wanted. It should be possible to find whatever one wants as quickly as a sighted person and to read as fast or as slow as is liked.  It should also be possible to read as simply and easily as everyone else. “Technology” should not hinder the author’s text. Reading should be enjoyable and informative.

Ideally books, newspapers and other information should be available at the same time, same price, in the same way, perhaps from the same place, but certainly with the same assistance, as everyone else. Many VI people are elderly and/or have mobility or other problems and therefore find it difficult to visit bookshops, libraries or newsagents. VI people believe there should be good home delivery or postal services available. In addition, VI people should still have access to librarians and advisory services to help when making choices.  However VI people recognise the vital role of specialist libraries, and other services whilst the reading technology used and needs differ from the rest of the population.

3.5	Reading the Same Things as Everybody Else

VI people want to read the same texts as sighted people.  TBs should be complete adaptations of printed books rather than shortened versions. The entire book should be read and recorded including the covers, the dust jacket and the biographical notes.  If there is a contents page or index, VI people should be able to read it and use it like sighted people to navigate around the text.

Footnotes and references should be readable and usable.  Diagrams or pictures should be able to inform the reader exactly what they are intended to convey by the author. 

Ideally it should be possible to check the spelling of a word or see how it has been emphasised.  Even when reading “for pleasure”  the pleasure may be contained in the wording and its spelling - this is especially important for students.

3.6	The Role of New Technology

Technology, including audio cassettes and computers have revolutionised the lives of VI people in the last 30 years and are likely to continue to do so for many years to come. However, new technologies offer the possibility of overcoming some of the shortcomings of reading using cassettes.

Some of the shortcomings associated with using TBs and Braille have been overcome by using computers; access to structure, spelling, weight and volume etc.  However, there are disadvantages: synthetic speech, cost of equipment and expensive and complex access technology, etc.

Music CDS have brought listeners benefits in terms of simplicity, robustness, quality etc and in the same way new technology will make reading easier and more effective for users and will overcome some of the aforementioned problems: costs, space, storage, preservation and distribution which are faced by the libraries that provide services, so allowing improvements to the services they can deliver to users.

Finally it should be noted here that today’s young people will be tomorrow’s old people and will therefore be used to new technology.

4	Specific Recommendations

4.1	Background 

It is accepted by EBU that not all of the specific requirements in this section are achievable as yet.  We have therefore prioritised as follows:

A	Essential Requirement
B	Highly desirable Requirement
C	Useful Requirement

These recommendations are based on what is known about some of the possibilities of current or emerging technologies.  They arise from the specific experiences of users, their organisations and some service providing organisations.

It is recognised that some recommendations are contradictory. This demonstrates that there is unlikely to be a single universal solution to every need as user needs are wide and varied. However it is believed that progress can be made towards some common standards with specialist approaches to particular sets of needs.

4.2	A Global Technology

B	(1)	TBs should use the same technology as that used by the general population to play music, films, books, etc.  The ability to use players commonly found in sighted people’s homes is a major requirement. It may be that TBs lead the way for a new generation of audio books. It may be that special players are required for some people, for example those with limited ability to use controls.

A	(2)	Players must be suitable for every type of book.

B	(3)	Players developed in the future should support previously used formats. 

A	(4)	A worldwide standard should be agreed for TBs distributed to the user.  If this cannot be met a common “exchange” standard must be met by all producers and providers of TBs.

A	(5)	To ensure long term affordability and availability of players, technology must be based on standards that are likely to be in common use for many years.  Any technology should adhere as closely as possible to the emerging standards for multi-media information creation and distribution.

A	(6)	We would like to see future technology based on digital representation of sound. This is the basis of emerging standards for the delivery of music, radio, TV, on-line and many other forms of multi-media. We believe that this form of representation potentially provides a solution to many of the shortcomings of the existing analogue systems in use.

C	(7)	Ideally a “player” suited for a particular user should allow easy access to the global library of information and culture in the way that they wish, either directly, or through an intermediary organisation.

B	-	A single global file format or second best
A	-	An agreed exchange format,
and:
C	-	A single global delivery format: eg CD-ROM, solid state etc or second best,
A	-	An inter-library loan system that provides a medium conversion service, eg: CD-ROM to solid state.

4.3	Standard Approach to Presentation

Currently different libraries use different conventions of “bleeps” to represent simple page and chapter structures. Users have to learn the conventions of each library or service provider. Some libraries provide no structured information.

New technology presents the possibilities of providing users with much more access to the structure of books. From a simple table of contents, to a more structured recipe book with chapters, recipes, ingredients and methods etc, through to complex structures like the Bible or Koran.

Research has shown that presenting audio with such structure is quite complex if it is to be understandable and usable. To use a particular convention for say an index would probably require the user to spend a considerable amount of time learning and practising.

To make books more accessible to users wishing to access books from many different sources in the global library, it is important to try to unify the presentation of books to minimise learning.

B	(1)	Therefore in terms of presentation and structure we would like to see research and development into a number of conventions, which should be widely adopted by providers with minimum variation throughout the world.

4.4	Organisation of Library Services

A	(1)	Efforts must be made to prevent copyright regulations from inhibiting access to the full range of global literature.

A	(2)	Users should be able to search for a title in a catalogue database by using the telephone.

B	(3)	There should be exchange of catalogue information between libraries, first at a national level but also at an international level as well.

A	(4)	During any technology “changeover” period, many users will continue to read using traditional methods such as cassette.  Any new technology must not diminish the service to them.  So, for example, bleeps etc should still be available to be used for cuing and indexing.

4.5	Quality of Voice and Sound

A	(1)	In general the voice must be understandable and enjoyable for a hearing-impaired reader to listen to.

A	(2)	A human voice or an equivalent quality voice should read the text. Users should not be frustrated by the “type” of voice.  It is reasonable to state: a synthetic voice is only acceptable for TBs if it is  recognized as acceptable for leisure reading of long texts by elderly people who never before used synthetic speech.

A	(3)	It is important that the voice is distinct and clear. Many TB users are elderly people who may have hearing impairments.

A	(4)	It is desirable that background noise is reduced as much as technically possible and the frequency range delivered should be maximised.

A	(5)	Sound should at least be to the equivalent quality of FM radio.

A	(6)	Any possible compression technique must not distort the sound when the TB is played.

4.6	Creation of Books for General Use

A	(1)	TBs should be complete adaptations of printed books. The entire book should be read and recorded including the covers, the dust jacket and the bibliographical notes.

4.7	Distribution 

As technology is changing very fast, it is accepted that new media are likely to develop in the future and users do not have any preference.  However it is important that technologies should allow for this changing future. We envisage a future where there will be more than one distribution medium in use. For example people will continue to use cassettes after something “better” is introduced. It is also envisaged that the Internet and World Wide Web are likely to change delivery systems.  The following requirements are desirable:

A	(1)	“Service on demand” is an important issue for the future.  Therefore libraries should be able to deliver in whatever media the user requests.  This might stop if traditional material or equipment is replaced by new technology.

C	(2)	One distribution unit should contain one complete book.

C	(3)	A one-way medium, which implies that the book does not have to be returned, is preferable.

A	(4)	The book must be well protected against damage or soiling.

A	(5)	The cover - if any exists - must be designed so that the book does not fall out when transported or carried.

C	(6)	The book should have its title printed in large print and Braille both on the medium and postage container, using a lasting material that does not easily wear.

B	(7)	The contents of the TB should be printed on the cover in clear black large print, and at least the author, title and genre of the book in Braille.

A	(8)	The book should be designed so that it can be despatched by post. Its size must be adapted to standard-sized letter boxes.
 
A	(9)	The return address must be printed on the cover of the book, to ensure a quick and easy return to the service provider. Handwriting or packing should not be required to return the package.

C	(10)	To avoid damage and wear and tear the book’s cover must be impact resistant.

C	(11)	It would be preferable if the book could be designed so that the packing does not have to be removed before inserting into the player.

A	(12)	The book should be designed so that it is obvious to the user how to insert it into the player (orientation etc).

4.8	User Equipment: Design of Players for General Use

Generally it is recognised that different types of users are likely to want to use different types of equipment to suit their needs. A system providing for a range of different types of player would be desirable.  We therefore envisage some basic players with very simple controls. We also envisage more sophisticated players that would give much more control, perhaps to allow note-taking, to allow sophisticated searching, and to allow people to use their personal computer (PC) as the player.  There certainly needs to be some portable equipment for reading in transit, and some bigger sturdier equipment for users with limited agility/dexterity.

Most of the comments in this section therefore address a situation where a special player is adapted or designed. However it should be noted that ideally users should be able to use a commercially available player but still access the functional controls.

Our current view is that the most likely scenario is some users using their PC for reading with lots of control, and others using more simple players; both players being capable of reading the same material

A	(1)	Using the same player to read different kinds of material should be possible: books, newspapers, etc. 

C	(2)	Listening to music stored on an equivalent medium as the TB should be possible.

A	(3)	Players should be available in different models - portable, computer attachable etc. 

B	(4)	Ideally a user-friendly remote control should be included in one model.

B	(5)	There should be models that have high-quality loudspeakers.

A	(6)	All models should have headphone facilities. 

B	(7)	Operating the equipment by mains electricity and by (rechargeable) battery should be possible.

A	(8)	Cleaning or maintenance, if any, should be simple.

A	(9)	There should be basic players for users requiring simplicity: play, pause, stop, forwards and backwards search, speed up and slow down and where available record. Additional functional controls may be placed behind a lid and/or on a remote control device.

B	(10)	Equipment should be adaptable for use by all target users, including those with functional disabilities.

A	(11)	It should be possible to use all functions of the player without the need to see a visual display.

A	(12)	Control buttons must be easy to find and identify either by sight or by touch for blind people.  

A	(13)	The sensitivity of controls might be specific for some functions, but must never be “dangerous” for the equipment or its user.

A	(14)	The user should be able to use any touch-controls or functions independently.

A	(15)	Speech output used for the controls should be in the main language of the area where the player is used.

B	(16)	Multiple language support is an important additional feature in today’s multi-ethnic community. 

A	(17)	The quality of the speech should be so good that more than the average user can understand it.

A	(18)	Adapting players for use by hearing-impaired people must be possible.

(19)	Users should be able to place multiple “bookmarks” which are maintained, even when the book is removed from the player. 

C	-	about 100 bookmarks

B	-	50 bookmarks
A	-	20 bookmarks

C	(20)	A player should not “forget” positions or bookmarks if is unplugged or if the batteries are changed.

B	(21)	The user should be able to add indications to a bookmark allowing him or her to find the required bookmark from a list of bookmarks.

A	(22)	The player should be able to recognize which book is currently in the player.

A	(23)	The player should be able to tell how many bookmarks are currently used and how many are still available/free.

A	(24)	Finding out which page of the printed version of the book is being read should be easy.  

A	(25)	Reading at different speeds should be possible.  Speech correction to normal speech is required.

A	(26)	Indexing methods should be available for navigation through the book: page forward/backward, next/previous chapter, next/previous heading, next/previous sentence. 

C	(27)	Ideally navigation should be possible between punctuation marks.

A	(28)	The user should be able to use the table of contents or index to “jump” to a specific area in the text.

C	(29)	It would be desirable if players allowed the user to export bibliographic information to a PC to keep track of books read.

B	(30)	Spelling of words is highly desirable, in a way that does not interfere with the flow of speech.

C	(31)	Having digital output for copying extracts to computer would be desirable if the medium for some reason cannot be used in a computer.

4.9	Specific Needs for Academic and Employment Reading

The recommendations in this section cover the specific needs of people who use TBs for study or professional purposes.

A	(1)	Connecting reading equipment to a user’s computer should be possible, or the ability to use the computer directly. This would allow the user to exchange information, to make notes on the text, to activate advanced search functions, and to make links between books and notes etc.

C	(2)	TBs will mainly be sent to the users by mail. However to speed up access, electronic transfer facilities using telecommunication, cable, radio or satellite would have significant advantages.

B	(3)	Ideally the book’s written text should be stored parallel to the book’s audio text.  This would make it possible to view it on a display or in braille, or by speech, jumping between the recorded voice format and the text. It would also be possible among other things to see the spelling of the words, read formulas, read statistical graphs etc.  Where this is done the following requirements are desirable:

-	The document should be stored in a structured way using an open document structuring method which can be accessed by common browsers. 

-	The user must be able to determine the menu path from the top level menu to the current position and this should be maintained between different modes - text and audio.

-	Asking for the number of available menu items and the current position in the list should be possible.

(4)	Advanced use of indexing and text switching is important. Facilities which would be desirable are: 

-	Jumping from indexes, table of contents etc to the mentioned item.

-	Facilities to find (search forward/backward) hyper-text like structures and use of advanced search facilities.

-	Extensive facilities for user notes.

(5)	A common standard between international libraries should be developed for indexing, file format and structure presentation so that users need only learn one convention and one set of access software.

A	(6)	An international exchange format should be agreed that allows the conversion from one file and master format in use in one country to that used in another, whilst retaining maximum structure and usability.  Ideally this should not be required, but in reality it will be.

EBU Expert Working Group 
on Next Generation Talking Books Secretariat:

RNIB Peterborough, Bakewell Road, 
Orton Southgate, Peterborough  PE2 6XU

Tel:  +44 (0) 17 33 37 07 77
Fax: +44 (0) 17 33 39 81 65
E-mail:  jharvey@rnib.org.uk