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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: [email protected]