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Metadata Minute (Issue #15): What is Accessible Metadata?

As publishing embraces inclusivity, ebook accessibility has become essential. However, in addition to making your ebooks accessible, it is important to send out metadata that highlights the accessibility features (and limitations) of your ebooks, helping retailers and consumers determine whether a title meets their specific needs.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), set to be enacted in June 2025, presents strict accessibility legislation on digital books and is anticipated to have a dramatic impact on how publishers approach accessibility.

Examples of Accessibility Metadata

Accessibility metadata conveys information about features that enhance an ebook’s usability and accessibility. Examples include:

  • Navigation: Indicates a fully accessible table of contents and in-book navigation.
  • Content Resizability: Ensures text and images can adjust to screen size without losing quality.
  • Alt Text for Images: Provides descriptive text for images, essential for screen readers.
  • Captions/Subtitles: Supports deaf and hard-of-hearing readers.
  • Audio Descriptions: Narrates visual elements for readers with visual impairments.
  • Language Tagging: Helps screen readers pronounce text correctly.
  • Compatibility: Indicates whether content has been tested with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers or keyboard navigation)
  • Print-Equivalent Page Numbers:Ensures digital page numbers match the print book.
  • Certification and Conformance: Identifies compliance with standards like WCAG or EPUB Accessibility Guidelines.
  • Limitations: Discloses where accessibility standards are not fully met.

Including these features in your ebooks not only helps the ebook meet the new EAA legal requirements but also improves usability and opens your ebooks to a broader audience.

Where to Include Accessibility Metadata?

Here’s where you can include accessibility metadata:

1. ONIX Feeds

ONIX is the industry-standard format for communicating book metadata. EDItEUR’s Application Note on Accessibility Metadata in ONIX (released in August 2024) breaks down how to include accessibility metadata in your ONIX files.

Most accessibility metadata is added to the <ProductFormFeature> composite using a <ProductFormFeatureType> value of 79. Then, a <ProductFormFeatureValue> is chosen from ONIX codelist 196, which provides a list of potential accessibility features that your ebook may have incorporated. In some cases, a <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may be used to better describe the feature being defined.

Here is an example of this kind of metadata in action:

2. Eloquence on Demand

If you’re using Eloquence on Demand, you’re in luck—you can skip the manual ONIX coding! Our solutions allow you to centralize and distribute accessibility metadata easily through the Product Detail / Product Form Feature section (see below).

Note: If you don’t see the E-publication Accessibility Detail field in your system, please reach out to our support team at askburnie@firebrandtech.com.

3. EPUB Files & FlightDeck

Accessibility metadata should also be embedded into your EPUB file’s OPF metadata for in-book accessibility. Keep in mind, OPF metadata is separate from ONIX—it’s provided directly in the EPUB file itself to define what the accessibility capabilities are. Here is an example:

Quick Tip: Use FlightDeck to test EPUB accessibility compliance!

FlightDeck, the industry’s most advanced EPUB validation/testing tool, now includes accessibility testing using Ace, an accessibility evaluation tool developed by the DAISY Consortium. The report highlights any accessibility violations within your EPUB and offers tailored recommendations for improvement.

4. Websites and Marketing

Transparency is key! Adding accessibility information to product pages on your website, sales sheets, catalogs, or communications with distributors and librarians can help buyers understand your titles better. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and reach a wider audience.

Resources for Further Learning

We hope this guide helps you navigate accessibility metadata with confidence. By prioritizing accessibility, you’re not just meeting requirements—you’re making a real difference for ALL readers. Thanks for reading!

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