Accessibility refers to how digital content can be accessed and used by everyone. It helps ensure that people with impairments have the same opportunities to acquire, engage with, and interact with information as those without impairments.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all organizations and institutions to make reasonable accommodations that ensure more satisfactory, equal, independent, and full access to content by people with impairments compared to those who are unimpaired.

Modern-day publishers can readily access web-based eBook development services and avail digital technology to create accessible eBooks and other instructional materials that would ensure equal access to information for persons with disabilities.

There are various ways to make content accessible. For instance, adding assistive technologies empowers students with dyslexia and limited abilities to view and hear the word simultaneously. Similarly, adding screen reader technology enables access for the blind. Simple strategies can make online content ADA-compliant and, thus, accessible to all.

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How to Make Accessible Content?

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WCAG – The Road to Making Businesses Accessible

Accessible content offers maximum flexibility in terms of user experience for all readers and can be manipulated by people with or without disabilities. For any e-content to be accessible, it should include the following four aspects:

  • Structurally Tagged Content: Proper structure helps resolve many accessibility and usability issues. Easy navigation using built-in tools in Adobe Reader, Digital Accessible Information Systems (DAISY) players, and screen readers can reduce search time, eye strain, and repetitive strain injury (RSI) and ensure an easier overview of the content. It also enables a greater level of interpretation for the reader, helping to clarify the relationships between key concepts.
  • Text-to-Speech Capability: Text-to-speech technology empowers visually impaired users. To add text-to-speech, the text is tagged with structural and semantic markup, and then clear navigation is added to the document. Screen reader tools then read the tagged content and provide audio navigation.
  • Adding Alternative Text Descriptions: These descriptions can explain images and illustrations to readers. The key points of graphs, diagrams, and images are added as ALT Text descriptions, which benefit all types of readers, both with and without disabilities.
  • Font Size, Color, and Style: It greatly impacts the reading experience. Readers should be able to adjust the font size of the content for easy readability. Styles such as simple sans serif or typeface are specially designed for readers with visual impairment. These styles heighten the contrast between type and page and make reading comfortable for people with problems like age-related macular degeneration or dyslexia.

Also Read: All You Need to Know to Ensure Web Accessibility

The Business Benefits of Accessibility for Publishers

Listed below are some of the benefits of accessibility:

1. Avoid Discrimination

As a result of these advances in the Internet and digital technologies, it is important to ensure that people with disabilities can also enjoy equal access to information and the resultant opportunities. The ADA makes it mandatory to ensure that all places of public accommodation, including restaurants, movie theaters, and schools, provide equal access to those with disabilities.

Although the ADA does not specifically mention web accessibility, the legislation is interpreted to extend to the online arena. In fact, web accessibility has become an accepted feature around the world as a means of avoiding discrimination and providing everyone with access to information. Accessibility would allow publishers to avoid discrimination lawsuits while accommodating people with disabilities.

2. Reach a Wider Audience

With accessible content, publishers can reach a wider audience, including people with disabilities across geographies. Improving the accessibility of your books and documents makes greater business sense. While it is nearly impossible to cater to people with all disabilities, a few modifications, some thought to design, and the use of assistive technologies are all it takes to make your content accessible. Adding features such as transcripts and closed captions, support for mobile devices, and a clear, simple site design and navigation will benefit all readers and not just those with disabilities.

3. Build your Brand

In this age of digital activism, people are willing to support companies with an ethical brand image. A survey by Accenture Strategy shows that customers prefer to make purchases from businesses that take a stand on various issues and are likely to walk away if they are disappointed with the company’s attitude and actions. Ensuring accessible content will help you lay a strong foundation for your brand and initiate interaction and engagement with people with disabilities who are more likely to recommend you to their family, friends, and acquaintances.

4. Improve your SEO

Accessibility increases your audience and ensures that your content is properly indexed by Google, resulting in higher positioning in search results. Make your content semantic for both humans and machines. Search engine bots consume content in much the same way as people with disabilities who use assistive technology do. It allows Google to properly index your content, which leads to higher positioning in search results.

5. Future-Proof your Business

Countries across the globe are introducing new laws or changing existing laws to improve accessibility. By making your content accessible, you can future-proof your business against lawsuits and fines.

Creating Accessible eBooks: Key Considerations for Publishers

Accessibility in publishing goes past websites and multimedia; it also comprises eBooks and other online reading materials. In addition, since the rise of eBooks, publishers must target a mixed audience to ensure their accessibility. Accessible eBooks adapt to legal benchmarks and facilitate an enhanced reading experience, among others. Below are some of the key considerations during the building of accessible eBooks:

  • Use Appropriate Semantic Markup: Semantic HTML marks like headings, lists, and paragraphs help give proper meaning to the content so that a screen reader can properly interpret it. Proper markup also facilitates navigation; it helps handicapped readers to find the information they need very quickly.
  • Provide Alt Text for Images: Add an alt text description to each and every image, chart, and diagram so visually-impaired readers may grasp the essential contents of these graphics.
  • Allow for Text Resizing and Contrast Adjustments: Accessible eBooks should allow readers to increase font size and color contrast to enhance readability. For example, you can include a high-contrast mode, which would be helpful for many readers with low vision.
  • Provide Audio Description as Part of the Content: Adding audio descriptions to interactive visual content, especially intricate graphics or diagrams, enhances understanding for visually impaired users.
  • Include Closed Captions for Multimedia Elements: If your eBook contains video or audio components, include closed captions and transcripts. This is advantageous for visually impaired readers and English language learners who need assistance with the audio.
  • Optimize for Mobile Devices: Most eBook readers will view your content on a mobile device. Ensure your content is responsive and stretches to fit the size of various screens without sacrificing accessibility features.

By emphasizing these aspects, publishers can create eBooks that are not only accessible but also high-quality for reading through digital media. Accessible eBooks could be an important element for publishers looking to expand their reach and establish themselves as reliable sources.

Also Read: Advancing Corporate Learning with Interactive Video-Based Training

In Conclusion

Accessibility moves beyond a legal imperative and toward strategic opportunity for modern publishers. Prioritizing accessibility allows publishers to reach a wider audience, enhances brand image, improves search engine optimization rankings, and future-proofs the business. Accessible content means that anyone with any ability can engage with and benefit from the work being done-inclusive and equitable presence in the digital sphere.

Partnering with a trusted expert like Hurix Digital can help you effortlessly integrate accessibility in publishing into your workflow. With comprehensive accessibility solutions for businesses, Hurix Digital enables publishers to create inclusive, future-ready content that meets global accessibility standards while delivering exceptional user experiences