Supporting Inclusive Digital Publishing through Training

Standard printed publications are not accessible to people with visual impairments. Many other categories of readers are not able to use printed materials, including those with dyslexia, motor disabilities or age-related macular degeneration. Collectively, these groups are often referred to as the “print impaired”. The move to digital books and supports has the potential to greatly increase access to reading for these audiences, whether it be at home, in the classroom, on the road and in the workplace. However, the widespread inaccessibility of digital print material continues to be a major barrier for people with disabilities, particularly those following higher or further education programmes. In order to give people with disabilities equal access to books and printed materials, content producers need to understand and assimilate accessibility guidelines and ensure that their digital output is fully accessible.