Mainstream reading devices and apps do not guarantee information access for all readers. All the hard work of enhancing an EPUB 3 document for people with disabilities is lost if the EPUB 3 reader itself is not accessible. By crowdsourcing accessibility evaluations of mainstream reading systems in a systematic way and making these evaluations publicly available developers and device manufacturers can be advised to make specific improvements to enable access to information for all.

1. Handshake between
content & readers
Testing mainstream reading systems
DAISY Consortium

2. Librarians in 1994:
Tech savvy not mandatory

3. Librarians in 2014: Big changes
Need to know e-readers, apps, devices, platforms

4. Why should we test?
• New applications are released every day
• Challenging to follow all new developments
• Specialized reading systems are created with a specific user
group in mind (http://www.daisy.org/tools-services)
• Mainstream reading systems do not guarantee accessibility
• Legal reasons
• Social responsibility

5. Reviews and research
• RNIB: eBook Reader reviews
http://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-reading/
ebook-reader-reviews
• DIAGRAM Center grid (software and hardware)
http://diagramcenter.org/research/ebook-software.html

6. We provide
• An extensive set of tests
• A documented process for executing the tests and
compiling results
• An opportunity to participate in creating helpful
guidance for students, accessibility specialists,
librarians, developers, content creators
Collaborative effort: DAISY Consortium / TFA Consulting

7. All users should be able to consume the
content of a document by:
• adjusting the display such as adjusting font size and
color combination
• reading the text with screen readers or self-voicing
text-to-speech (TTS) applications
• reading the text with a refreshable Braille display
• reading with assistive technologies designed for
persons with dyslexia or other disabilities.

8. Crowdsourcing?
• By crowdsourcing accessibility evaluations of
mainstream reading systems in a systematic way
and making these evaluations publicly accessible,
developers and device manufacturers can be
advised to make specific improvements to allow
access to information for all.
• Digital content, reading systems and distribution
platforms all need to be designed to be accessible
for everyone. All users will win.

9. Support digital inclusion = improve literacy
• By improving mainstream reading systems we
support digital inclusion and strengthen ties to the
communities we serve.
• We also contribute to the development of new
markets for accessible products and services
leading to the improvement of literacy around the
globe.

10. How can I get started?
• Go to epubtest.org
• Select / click on EPUB 3 support grid to review test results
• Instructions for evaluators:
http://epubtest.org/testsuite/
• Check out current tests
• Contact info@bisg.org with questions
• Accessibility testing: Prospective moderators, evaluators
and testers send an email to Kerscher@montana.com
• Still work in progress! Send your comments and
suggestions.