2019 Charleston Library Conference

Over the last few years we have seen a flurry of activity aimed at improving the accessibility of ebooks in libraries. Inspired by wide-scale audits such as the Big 10 Academic Alliance and JISC, ebook platforms have been held to account and encouraged to improve the Accessibility of their services. Libraries have become better educated on Accessibility in service of their students and to help evaluate the products they choose to purchase. However, ensuring Accessibility for all requires a strong commitment from platforms and publishers, and publishers vary widely on the extent to which Accessibility is part of their publication workflows. If publishers aren’t taking the initiative to create accessible files, there is a limit to the usability of that content on any platform.

Given this reality, how can we continue to move the industry forward? How can libraries be assured that what they are buying is accessible to all? How can our industry exert more pressure on the supply chain to partner in achieving this goal? This panel will explore the various efforts underway to encourage increased transparency about Accessibility features and broader participation from publishers in creating Accessible ebooks. It will discuss the standardization efforts underway as well as new tools, certifications, and rating systems that create new possibilities for informed decision making and that could drive real progress toward ensuring accessibility for all.

Note: George Kerscher, Chief Innovations Officer, DAISY Consortium, contributed to the content and preparations for this session but isn't attending.