Using PowerPoint Books for Inclusive Literacy

A screenshot of a PowerPoint book showing a drawing of a family walking among fall leaves, a few lines of text, an audio icon, and large forward and back arrows.

When designing literacy activities, it is so important that they be inclusive to all students. Many of you know that ARC-BC provides an online repository of accessible digital materials to students with print disabilities in British Columbia. But did you know about ARC-BC materials available in PowerPoint format?

PowerPoint books are available on ARC-BC as either .pps or .ppsx files. PRCVI partnered with SET-BC to provide human narrated text for these books. Large forward and back arrows provide navigation and narration begins automatically each time a page is turned.

PowerPoint books can be used with a wide range of input devices, making them accessible to a wide range of students. The pages can be advanced with a mouse or touchscreen, with a traditional QWERTY keyboard, or with a switch device or accessible input technology.

To find books in PowerPoint format, head over to ARC-BC, go to the Advanced Search option, and under Filter by File Format select .pps and .ppsx files (hint: hold down the control key to select multiple file types in the list box). There are dozens of books in PowerPoint format in the repository currently, and if a title isn't there, educators can request it be added!

Are you using PowerPoint books with your students already? We'd love to hear about how they are being used with students in classrooms throughout British Columbia!

About the author

Jen Jesso

I have worked in various roles in the field of visual impairment since 2007. In addition to working as a teacher of students with visual impairments, I recently completed coursework to become an orientation and mobility specialist. I have been fortunate to work with the fantastic team at PRCVI since 2014.

I enjoy many aspects of my role at PRCVI, but highlights include working with teachers of students with visual impairments and their students on outreach visits and working on PRCVI initiatives and projects.

Outside of work, my interests include reading, computer programming, swimming, and spending time with friends and family.

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