What accessibility features are available for ICE Virtual Library eBooks?

You may find the ICE Virtual Library 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.

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?

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?

Download:

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 have the eBook read aloud to you. 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 have the eBook read aloud to you by following these instructions: How can I have a PDF read aloud to me using Adobe Reader?

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 Texthelp Read & Write. Please see these instructions: How can I have a PDF document read aloud to me using Texthelp Read & Write software?

Texthelp Read & Write plugin for Google Chrome:

The download will open in your web browser. You can have it read aloud by following these instructions: How can I have a PDF file read aloud using OrbitDoc PDF reader?

How can I change the font colour in an eBook?

In addition to the specific instructions below, you may also be able to change font colours using your web browser or operating system settings.

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:

The download will open in your web browser, which does not give access to the Adobe Reader settings you need to use to change the font colour. First, use the Save or Download icon to save the eBook to your computer. Then open it from there with Adobe Reader and follow these instructions: How can I change the font colour using Adobe Reader?

How can I change the background colour in an eBook?

In addition to the specific instructions below, you may also be able to change background colours using your web browser or operating system settings

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:

The download will open in your web browser, which does not give access to the Adobe Reader settings you need to use to change the background colour. First, use the Save or Download icon to save the eBook to your computer. Then open it from there with Adobe Reader and follow these instructions: How can I change the background colour in Adobe Reader?

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:

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:

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.  With most titles you can make the text reflow (automatically adjust itself to fit on the page at the new zoom level) by following these reflow instructions. Unfortunately, with some titles you may find that the Reflow setting doesn't work, as the spaces between words are lost when it is activated.

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