Adapted Books                                                                         There are several ways to adapt a book that makes it more accessible and understandable for children with learning, vision, communication and motor difficulties.  Talking books using voice out-put devices, redesigning the book to decrease the amount of visual distractions on the page and scanning a book to the computer, can increase access to enjoying the book.  Here are some more ideas.    &   Changes in text size/space/color/background color &   Book adapted for page turning                 (e.g. with page fluffers, 3-ring binder and folders) &   Use of pictures with text (e.g., Picture It, PixWriter) &   Talking electronic devices for single words                 (e.g., Reading pen, Franklin Bookman) &   Scanner with OCR and talking word processor &   Electronic Books (e.g., Start to Finish)   Check out these websites too:   Valdosta University and the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT)  has a 2 minute video on reasons why to adapt books and two examples of ways to adapt books.    Baltimore City Public Schools has a list of over 700 books that have been adapted.  They range from K-12.   There is a link on the main page to view all of the books, in alphabetical order, rather than go through page by page.  It is filed on Microsoft Excel.    DID YOU KNOW?  Scanning and redesigning a book for improving access for children is legal as long as there is a hard copy that accompanies the adapted book.  In this case it’s better to own the book rather than use books borrowed from the public library.