What accessibility features are available for ACLS Humanities eBooks?

You may find the ACLS Humanities accessibility statement helpful. 

Texthelp Read & Write software (which is installed on all Library PCs) provides accessibility tools (see the Library website Software page for more information).

Some accessibility features are available through Adobe Reader (freely available and installed on all Library PCs). 

The accessibility options available will depend on whether you are reading the eBook online or if you have downloaded it to your computer.

ACLS Humanities eBooks are available to read online.  For some books you can also download individual chapters in PDF format.

How can I have an eBook read aloud to me?

Read online:

Microsoft Edge browser Read Aloud tool:

You can have the eBook read aloud to you by following these instructions: What is “Read Aloud” and how do I use it?

For books where Text rendition mode is available, you can have the eBook read aloud to you by switching to Text rendition mode.  Click on the Settings button in the top right of the screen and under the Rendition heading choose Text and click Save Settings.  Then follow these instructions: What is “Read Aloud” and how do I use it?

Texthelp Read & Write and Texthelp Read & Write plugin for Google Chrome:

You can have the eBook read aloud to you by following these instructions: How can I have online text read aloud to me using Read & Write software? If that does not work, you can try these instructions instead: How can I have unselectable text read aloud to me using Read & Write software?

For books where Text rendition mode is available you can have the eBook read aloud to you by switching to Text rendition mode.  Click on the Settings button in the top right of the screen and under the Rendition heading choose Text and click Save Settings. Then follow these instructions: How can I have online text read aloud to me using Texthelp Read&Write software?

Download:

Microsoft Edge browser Read Aloud tool:

You can have the eBook read aloud to you by following these instructions: What is “Read Aloud” and how do I use it?

PDF download:
Texthelp Read & Write:

The download will open in your web browser. First, use the Save or Download icon to save the eBook to your computer. You can then open it from there with Read & Write. Please see these instructions: How can I have a PDF document read aloud to me using Texthelp Read & Write software?

If that doesn't work, try these instructions: How can I have unselectable text read aloud to me using Texthelp Read & Write software?

Read & Write for Google Chrome extension:

The download will open in your web browser. First, use the Save or Download icon to save the eBook to your computer, and then open it from there by following these instructions: How can I have a PDF file read aloud using OrbitDoc PDF reader?

If that doesn’t work, try these instructions: How can I have unselectable text read aloud to me using Texthelp Read & Write software?I

How can I change the font colour in an eBook?

Read online:

There is no inbuilt option to change the font colour. You may be able to change font colours using your web browser or operating system settings.

Download:

PDF opened in Adobe Reader:

There is no inbuilt option to change the font colour. You may be able to change font colours using your web browser or operating system settings.

How can I change the background colour in an eBook?

Read online:

There is no inbuilt option to change the background colour. You may be able to change background colours using your web browser or operating system settings.

Download:

PDF opened in Adobe Reader:

There is no inbuilt option to change the background colour. You may be able to change background colours using your web browser or operating system settings.

How can I change the text size in an eBook?

In addition to the specific instructions below, you may also be able to make text on your screen appear larger using inbuilt features of your operating system.

Read online:

Inbuilt zoom options:

Click on the Settings button in the top right of the screen and choose from a range of zoom levels up to 400%.  Text does not reflow (automatically adjust to fit on the page at the new zoom level) when the zoom level is changed.

Browser settings:

You can change the zoom level of the whole web page using your browser. To zoom in, press Ctrl (Windows) or command (Mac) and the + key. To zoom out, press Ctrl/command and the - key.  Press Ctrl/command and 0 to set the zoom level back to default. When you zoom the text does not reflow (automatically adjust to fit on the page at the new zoom level).

Download:

PDF opened in Adobe Reader:

The download will open in your web browser, which does not give access to the Adobe Reader settings you need to use to alter the zoom level. First, use the Save or Download icon to save the eBook to your computer, and then open it from there with Adobe Reader.  Then you can change the page zoom from 10% - 6400% using the plus and minus symbols on the top bar. When you zoom the text does not reflow (automatically adjust to fit on the page at the new zoom level).

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