Digital Accessibility

Mike Marlin, DirectorCalifornia Braille and Talking Book Library

NLS Biennial Conference 2014

With assistance from Debbi MacLeod,Director, Colorado Talking Book Library

Digital Accessibility

“Digital accessibility is creating a secure, technological system for digital components such as mobile applications, digital documents, and website pages so that everyone can have the same user experience when accessing these types of components.”

Source: www.deque.com/essential-guide-digital-accessibility

Accessibility vs Usability

“Although Section 508 addresses the accessibility of information technology by people with disabilities, it is no guarantee of practical usability by them.”

Source: Reading Rights Coalition

Missing the Point

Accessible – yes

Usable - ?

Perception and Usability

Universal Design

“Consider the needs of the broadest possible range of users from the beginning.” Architect, Ron Mace

As Simple as…

Policy

• Marrakesh Treaty • WIPO – World Intellectual Property Org• Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to

Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled

Policy continued

• IFLA Manifesto on implementing of the treaty• Trusted Intermediary Global Accessible

Resources (TIGAR)

Reading Rights - eReaders

In 2012 both Sacramento Public and Philadelphia Free Public Libraries initiated accessible eReader loan programs as directed by Dept. of Justice. IMLS issues an eReader Loan Program Advisory in March 2013.

eReaders

Technology Platforms & Delivery

Will 3rd party platforms be redundant due to smartphones?

5 predictions for eReader Platforms

• E Ink diversifies away from e-Readers to digital signage

• Barnes and Noble suspends e-Reader development

• Reading on tablets will decline in 2014• eBooks will decline in 2014• Sony abandons consumer e-Readers

Source: source of predictions (http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/top-5-predictions-for-the-e-reader-industry-in-2014)

Standards

• DAISY• EPUB3

Great Apps for Smartphones

Other Great Apps ?

What are yours?

And now for…