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EPUB 3 vs. KF8 Accessibility in eBook Formats Iris Amelia Febres, M.A. F+W Media, eBook Developer Future Publishing & Accessibility Conference Copenhagen, Denmark June 13, 2013 #cph13 • @epubpupil Slide deck: irisamelia.com/newpubcph/presentation.pptx Overview What are EPUB 3 and KF8? How does each address accessibility within its format? What are strategies we can implement when we create (accessible) ebooks? eBooks: Where Are We Now? Pros Significant progress with formats Devices are intuitive Standards are evolving (specifications) Embracing the possible Sales numbers of ebooks — worth the investment eBooks: Where Are We Now? Cons Splintering of formats (proprietary choices) Splintering of devices (and a [supposed] move away from dedicated e-readers) Catching up to technology Expensive (time & money) What is accessibility? Two definitions Assistance specifically for the impaired ADA DAISY APK Increasing compatibility for users Flexible formatting Semantic markup DRM EPUB (EPUB 3) The newest specification of the EPUB format (IDPF) Harnesses HTML5 and CSS3 to render content dynamically, fully utilizing EPUB’s biggest strength: reflow Embracing open standards Encouraged as the standard for ebooks today See: Readium Foundation Features in EPUB 3 Audio/video capabilities Text-to-speech MathML and SVG support Navigation changes Robust metadata Accessibility in EPUB 3 Specification built with accessibility in mind Part IV of the EPUB 3 overview http://www.idpf.org/epub/30/spec/epub30-overview.html #sec-accessibility Validation contingent on accessibility options Epubcheck 3.0 DAISY specs included Audial/media overlays (DAISY Digital Talking Books) Caveats in EPUB 3 re: accessibility Images and alt text The “alt” attribute within an <img> tag is required for EPUB validation However, it can be empty! Source: http://www.rnib.org.uk/ Caveats in EPUB 3 re: accessibility Text-to-speech/Read aloud We have opportunities to create ebooks with text-to- speech/read-aloud functionality (popular in children’s books) However, the learning curve is steep! Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) <smil xmlns="http://www.w3.org/ns/SMIL" version="3.0"> <body> <par id="par1"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence1"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="0s" clipEnd="10s"/> </par> <par id="par2"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence2"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="10s" clipEnd="20s"/> </par> <par id="par3"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence3"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="20s" clipEnd="30s"/> </par> </body> </smil> Source: EPUB Media Overlays 3.0 (sec. 3.1) —IDPF Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) <smil xmlns="http://www.w3.org/ns/SMIL" version="3.0"> <body> <par id="par1"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence1"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="0s" clipEnd="10s"/> </par> <par id="par2"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence2"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="10s" clipEnd="20s"/> </par> <par id="par3"> <text src="chapter1.xhtml#sentence3"/> <audio src="chapter1_audio.mp3" clipBegin="20s" clipEnd="30s"/> </par> </body> </smil> Source: EPUB Media Overlays 3.0 (sec. 3.1) —IDPF Caveats in EPUB 3 re: accessibility These features depend on the device EPUB 3 is primarily supported by Apple iPad (expensive!) Kobo iOS/Android apps (read-aloud) Support is limited in other spots… but we’re getting there! Readium Foundation See: BISG Platform Grid Kindle Format 8 (KF8) Successor to MOBI7 HTML5 vs. HTML3 Documentation Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/MOBI (unofficial) Updated frequently, a bible for developers Specific to Amazon devices/apps On eInk devices and tablets Features in KF8 Updated Formatting Built on HTML5 and CSS3 support Font embedding/text styling (alignment, colors, etc.) Fixed layout (proprietary) SVG support Accessibility in KF8 Main feature: Backward compatibility on older devices Emphasis on Wide margins Magnification features Children’s books and comics Documentation not as focused Accessibility opportunities specifically stem from HTML5 and CSS3 Audio and video embedding Additionally: Kindle for PC Accessibility Plugin Caveats in KF8 re: accessibility Text-to-speech feature for the Kindle for PC accessibility plugin requires an external screen reader for use Windows PC only Caveats in KF8 re: accessibility These features depend on the device KF8 is primarily only supported by Kindle Fire (not as pricey as Apple, but…) Optimal Kindle Paperwhite (eInk — more limited; e.g., no audio) Amazon Kindle apps By creating accessible EPUB files, we essentially create accessible Kindle files. However, the devices hold the power. In other words… Formats can do only so much! Strategies & Practices The key is awareness Aim for reflow Avoid info-as-image — i.e., tables should be in HTML Think of your reader and what they can do Think of your content and who is consuming it Always QA your work Talk to your outsourcer(s) and develop relationships Recommended Reading EPUB 3: Best Practices by Matt Garrish (@MattGarrish) Readmill #eprdctn reading group Liz Castro’s EPUB texts (@LizCastro) EPUB Straight to the Point Read Aloud EPUB for iBooks Audio and Video in EPUB (Miniguide) Fixed Layout EPUBs for iPad and iPhone (Miniguide) EPUB 3 book: Coming Soon! Specifications (grab some coffee) EPUB 2.1 and EPUB 3.0 DAISY Questions? Say hello! Twitter: @epubpupil #eprdctn — all about ebook development & production, troubleshooting … counseling LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/irisamelia Email: iris@irisamelia.com
