Creating accessible EPUBs

The right to access public information in an accessible format is no longer a luxury, but is legally required. More and more institutions and organisations are obliged to make their communication accessible. For this reason, knowledge about creating accessible document formats has become mandatory for information providers and their service providers.

However, the topic of accessibility is complex. This training offers an introduction to creating accessible EPUBs for beginners. After the course, each participant should be able to determine the level of accessibility of their EPUB documents and improve it accordingly.

  • Participants
  • 4 - 8
  • Languages
  • English, German, Luxembourgish
  • Duration
  • 4h
  • Difficulty
  • Beginner

The contents

  • Introduction: what is accessibility?
    • Target groups and barriers
    • Assistive technology
  • What is an EPUB?
    • The file format
    • Standards
  • Reading an EPUB with a screen reader
    • … on a PC (macOS/Windows)
    • … on a mobile device (iOS/Android)
    • … on an eBook reader
  • 4 ways to create an EPUB
    • … using a text processor
    • … using a file format converter
    • … using a native WYSIWYG editor
    • … using a code editor
  • Evaluating the grade of accessibility for existing EPUBs
    • … using software tools
    • … using practical tests
  • Motivation
    • Laws related to accessibility

 

  • Not handled as part of this course:
    • EPUB 3 media oberlays (because it is a complex topic of its own)
    • EPUB 3 digital rights management (because it depends on the choice of distibution platform)
    • EPUB 3 text-to-speech facilities (because there are no readers available to support this)

Prerequisites

  • As EPUB is basewd on Web technology the participants should have basic knowledge on how to code HTML and CSS.

Documentation

  • The slides of the training will be handed out to the participants in a digital format after the training.

Duration

  • 4 hours

Options

  • On request this training can be organised at the location of the client. Details on request.