Do you work in the publishing industry in production or on digital workflows?
Perhaps you support the publishing industry by digitising content, providing text layouts, typesetting, conversion services or app design? If so, this page is for you.
Accessible eBooks: generic guidance
Ebook formats, methods of creating eBooks, and ways of reading eBooks are many and varied. ebook creation, in particular, can vary depending on the software used and the workflow in place.
The following guidelines cover the most important accessibility factors to consider when creating ebooks, regardless of what ebook file format you're creating or what desktop publishing software you use.
Accessible apps
Publishers are increasingly creating or commissioning apps, either to complement a title's ebook or print editions, or to stand alone as a separate edition.
Apple have included many accessibility features in the iPod, iPad and iPhone, and we have expanded on Apple's accessibility guidelines to help you to take full advantage of these features for any apps you design. Indeed, if an app is created accessibly, it can provide an accessible alternative to a print book.
Accessible eBooks: EPUB3
The eBook 'Accessible EPUB 3: Best Practices for Creating Universally Usable Content' takes you inside the EPUB 3 format and explores how you can enrich and enhance content for all readers. It includes practical tips and examples.
Accessible eBooks: using Indesign
These guidelines are currently being developed and will cover the most important factors to consider when creating accessible EPUB and Kindle eBooks from InDesign.
These guidelines are at final draft stage and will be available soon, please contact publisheradvice@rnib.org.uk to request a copy.
Accessible books for children
Guidance produced by Tactile Book Advancement Group offers publishers simple guidance on how to make their books accessible to more children.
Best practice guidelines for publishers
WIPO's Enabling Technologies Framework Project, run by EDItEUR and the DAISY Consortium , has developed best practice guidelines for publishers to follow in their production process. Integrating existing standards (including ONIX, ePub and DAISY) into mainstream publishing in ways that enhance accessible publishing.
Contact Sarah Hilderley at EDItEUR for more information.
Feedback
Has this page and the guidance been of use to you, in what way?
To give us feedback on this guidance or to let us know if we should include additional information, contact publisheradvice@rnib.org.uk or phone 020 7391 2150