Did you know Louis Braille was just 15 when he invented Braille, the tactile writing system for the visually impaired, in 1824? Despite its transformative impact, fewer than 10% of people who are blind and partially sighted can read Braille. With an estimated 2.2 billion people globally living with vision impairment and 36 millions of them blind, that leaves so many without access to written knowledge.
The Long Path to Access
For centuries, visually impaired readers relied on Braille or audio recordings, both transformative but limited. Braille production was slow and expensive, while audio materials were bulky and scarce. Access to knowledge remained inconsistent for many.
Digitization as a Turning Point
Digitization for accessibility became a game-changer. By scanning books, newspapers, and manuscripts, libraries began converting printed content into digital formats. That made it possible to create screen reader–friendly text, synthesize speech, and adapt documents for visually impaired users. This turning point laid the foundation for inclusive digital libraries. But digitization is only a part of the story. Formats like Accessibility EPUB have been pivotal in ensuring that eBooks themselves are designed to be inclusive. We’ve explored this in detail in our blog Making Digital Journals and Books Accessible with Accessibility EPUB.
AI: Expanding What’s Possible
If digitization was the first step, artificial intelligence has now made those digital archives smarter and more responsive:
- AI in digital libraries powers OCR that can read faded, historical texts accurately.
- AI-driven digital archives enrich metadata, tagging names, places, and themes automatically.
- Natural Language Processing allows summarization and paraphrasing, making content easier to consume.
- Text-to-speech and language translation open content to global audiences instantly.
- Generative AI enables conversational search—ask a question, and the archive delivers synthesized answers.
Combined, these tools transform inclusive digital libraries into dynamic, personalized experiences for visually impaired users.
Real-World Change
Some national libraries are leading the way. For example, in India, digitizing Braille books and educational materials has improved accessibility dramatically. Schools and libraries now provide inclusive digital libraries that serve learners more inclusively.
At the same time, global platforms are ensuring that content isn’t just digitized but truly accessible, closing the gap between preservation and usability.
Ninestars’ Role in Shaping the Future
At Ninestars, we understand that accessibility is not an add-on, it must be built in. With decades of experience in digitization, we deliver AI-powered solutions that make collections both preserved and accessible. Our digitization solution ensures clean OCR, structured metadata, and output formats ready for assistive technologies. We help clients build inclusive digital libraries that serve everyone.
What’s Next for Accessibility?
The future of access lies in combining digitization with intelligence. Imagine asking an archive:
“How did people respond to the Great Exhibition in 1851?”
Instead of scanning dozens of pages, a visually impaired student could hear a summary with key documents cited. That’s what inclusive, AI-driven digital libraries enable.
The story of accessibility is ongoing. From Braille to digitization to accessible formats like EPUB, each step brings us closer to a future where everyone has equal access to knowledge. To dive deeper into the role of EPUB in shaping accessible publishing, see our blog Making Digital Journals and Books Accessible with Accessibility EPUB.
Want to know more about digitizing for accessibility? Drop us an email at contactus@ninestars.in