Accessibility

For members of the community with visual disabilities eBooks and eReading devices have the potential to assist users to gain access to the digital collections provided by public libraries. Unfortunately, not all formats or eReading devices adequately cater to the accessibility requirements of individuals with visual disabilities. At a rudimentary level the majority of dedicated eReading devices allow for the text to be enlarged and the contrast adjusted. Whilst the most widely adopted format EPUB 2 provides text to speech capabilities, the support for this functionality is not universal across the current range of eReading devices. At this point in time the Apple iPad and associated iBook platform is considered one of the best eReading devices for the visually impaired (Janus 2012). For a comprehensive overview of eBook hardware and software accessibility features please refer to the Diagram Centers product matrix of e-book hardware and software. As discussed in the formats section, EPUB2 will shortly be superseded by EPUB3; which has been released although not as yet widely adopted by publishers and hardware/software manufacturers. The EPUB3 format represents a significant step forward with regards to meeting the accessibility requirements of people with print disabilities. The new format accommodates interactive content such as embedded video and audio and maintains text to speech capabilities (overview of EPUB3 accessibility functionality).

A further impediment for the visually impaired is the use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) as used by commercial distributors including library eBook aggregators (Janus 2012). Often DRM solutions require the end user to download additional software onto their device and/or the DRM text is actually an image of the page as the conversion was not undertaken using OCR software.

Accessibility Lawsuit in the United States:

In 2012 two lawsuits were filed in US courts based on eReading library loan schemes and the perceived breach of the Americans Disabilities Act. The first lawsuit was instigated by the National Federation of the Blind against the Philly Free Librarys’ Nook lending scheme. The Nook eReaders purchased by the library had no text to speech capabilities. The second case was a joint lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and the National Federation of the Blind against Sacramento Public Library for a similar perceived infringement of the Americans Disabilities Act. The case was settled and requires the library discontinues the purchase of eReader devices that do not support standard accessibility functions. The library is also required to purchase new devices (Apple iPads) that adhere to the accessibility requirements for the visually impaired (Justice Department Statement).

It would be prudent for NSW public libraries considering loaning eReader devices to clients to ensure that they include devices which are compliant with the accessibility requirements of the visually impaired. For a comprehensive overview of eBook hardware and software accessibility features please refer to the Diagram Centers product matrix of e-book hardware and software.

Accessibility

Accessibility Lawsuit in the United States:

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