Although printed documents are difficult to access for many users with print disability, the continued usage of printed documents in general – and especially in learning environments – will continue for the foreseeable future.
Print cannot be made as accessible as electronic information. Electronic information has the potential to integrate multimedia; therefore content can be shared through different media. For example, text can be replaced by audio or sign language video. Depending on a user or learner’s specific disability and/or special need, they may need a different perception channel or a mix of channels that print material cannot offer.
However, there are also users/learners that find printed material more accessible than electronic. Therefore print remains important, but cannot be made universally accessible.
One alternative to print material – with the same restrictions – is Braille.