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Reading and Writing Media

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More About Media

Advantages and Disadvantages Reading and Writing Media

Medium	Advantages	Disadvantages
Print	Cheap to produce Everyone understands it Readily available Medium for all kinds of reading	Readability (e.g. good contrast, size etc.) Tasks in Daily life
Large print	Might be easier to see No special skills needed to use it	Bulky and/or big pages Cost is high Not readily available Not available for all reading tasks
Audio	Listening, no extra time needed Tapes- lot of information on a small item	Time needed for production Tapes - cost Not readily available Recorder and electricity or batteries needed
Braille	Effective for most blind persons	Bulky Not readily available Cost Special skills, training, equipment needed. Often Braille is used before a person's vision has been assessed. For some people with profound vision loss or blindness Braille is the best option.
Changing distance	Easy No special skills needed Always available	May be slower than normal reading
Magnifier	Easy access to reading material Portable	Cost Training needed Fatigue
Source: Low Vision Training Manual- For Use in Developing Countries. Developed by: Karen Van Dijk, Jill Keeffe, Helen Nottle. Page 79

Checkpoint:

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using large print books vs audio

What are the disadvantages of using Braille?