EPUB 3 Support Grid Update Now Allows Users to Test
for Accessibility

A major update to BISG’s EPUB 3 Support Grid now enables evaluation of support for accessibility across popular reading systems and assistive technologies. The update, which involved creation of a new set of EPUB 3 test documents specifically designed to assess fundamental accessibility support, makes it possible for anyone to test a reading system’s support of accessibility features. To achieve a high fundamental accessibility score, reading systems should be able to perform basic functions like adjust font size and color, and text should be readable with a screen reader, self-voicing text-to-speech application, refreshable Braille display or assistive technologies designed for persons with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

The EPUB 3 Support Grid is maintained by a working group of BISG’s Content Structure Committee and was designed to be a handy reference to what enhancements and features of EPUB 3 render correctly on the most commonly used devices, apps, and reading systems, based on tests conducted by industry experts who represent leading publishers, service providers, and technology vendors.

Since early 2014, the Grid has been hosted at EPUBTest.org, a joint project between the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), BISG, and the DAISY Consortium, to allow anyone to systematically test a reading system’s conformance to EPUB 3.

The EPUB 3 Support Grid is one of the guides and other resources that BISG makes freely available for the benefit of everyone in the industry. We thank the volunteer committee and working group members who make them possible.

About BISG

The Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG) is the book industry’s leading trade association for standards, education, and information. BISG facilitates the connections and conversations that solve common problems, advance new ideas, and more profitably bring published content to readers. For over 35 years, BISG has provided a forum for all industry professionals to come together and efficiently address issues and concerns to advance the book community. Members include publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians, and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media.