Math Formulas in Accessible Ebooks

Introducing math formulas into ebooks is a significant challenge in the context of making them accessible for all users, including those who use screen readers. It is of vital importance to use the right content format, e.g. MathML, which contains mathematical logics of formulas and influences the quality and accessibility of mathematical content.

Multilingual Ebooks and Their Accessibility for Assistive Technologies

Ebook accessibility is key to comfortable use of ebooks by people who use assistive technologies. Editors and publishers can improve ebook accessibility a lot by using the right editorial techniques and by formatting EPUB files correctly. In this article, we focus on language problems and multilingual ebooks and tell you how to make sure an ebook’s content is displayed correctly.

Best Practices for Accessible Tables and Graphs in eBooks

Tables and graphs are an inherent part of many publications, such as research papers, textbooks or reports. They contain condensed information and enable readers to gather and analyse data quickly.

The Importance of List Accessibility in Ebooks

Even though CSS makes it possible to modify list appearance in many ways, you should bear in mind that this should not affect a list’s accessibility.

Making Images Speak: How to Write Alt Texts for Ebooks

Imagine a book full of beautiful illustrations, amazing pictures and informational graphs. Each page is full of attractive visuals which make the text more engaging. But have you ever wondered how a blind person would use this book? How to convey this beauty and information to someone who cannot see?

Accessibility and the Blindness We Overlook

At least 2.2 billion people globally experience vision impairment. That’s one-quarter of the world’s population—not a small group. These individuals are our aging parents who struggle with small print, our children with dyslexia who prefer listening to text, our colorblind partners, our nearsighted friends—and even ourselves after a long day.

How Blind Individuals Navigate Ebooks: A User’s Experience

Ebooks are one of these technological solutions which make literature and knowledge more available for blind individuals. Thanks to modern tools, such as speech synthesisers and screen readers, they are able to read on their computers or smartphones. This technology enables them to navigate chapters, paragraphs or even single words or letters. What does this process look like and what technical solutions affect the comfort and efficiency of reading?

Semantic HTML: What it is and why it matters in ebooks

Semantic elements are elements of the HTML language which determine the structure and purpose of website content and digital documents, such as ebooks. Unlike non-semantic elements, used mainly for formatting, the purpose of semantic elements is to convey information about the function and meaning of each section of the document.

Metadata: The Key to Accessibility

Well-constructed metadata is key to the discoverability and availability of digital publications. They create the first impression of a book, encouraging potential readers to read or buy it. The importance of metadata grows as more and more ebooks are available on the market. In the context of the accessibility of ebooks, it will grow by leaps and bounds in June 2025 once the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force. It is also worth mentioning that publishers use metadata for market analysis and production planning.

Braille Displays and eBooks: Reading Without Barriers

Although it is still possible to buy printed books, electronic books are taking over the market. Nowadays, one can read ebooks not only using computers, laptops, ebook readers or reading programmes but also braille, the tactile writing system for blind individuals, invented by L. Braille in the 19th century.