EPUB fixed layout publications, or publications where the print layout is preserved in the digital edition, have been around since before EPUB 3.0.1. These publications span a number of genres and types, from comic books, cook books, children's books, and more.
-An accessible fixed layout EPUB file is one that meets the accessibility requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.x level AA [[wcag2]] and EPUB Accessibility 1.1 [[epub-a11y-11]], including color contrast, reading order, font layout, structural navigation, metadata, and text alternatives. Not all WCAG success criteria are applicable to EPUB documents, a more detailed list can be found in section 1.3.
+An accessible fixed layout EPUB file is one that meets the accessibility requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.x level AA [[wcag2]] and EPUB Accessibility 1.1 [[epub-a11y-11]], including color contrast, reading order, font layout, structural navigation, metadata, and text alternatives. Not all WCAG success criteria are applicable to EPUB documents, a more detailed list can be found in section 1.4.
The main motivation behind creating fixed layout publications is the need to preserve the print layout of the book, either because of the layout's importance to the text (i.e. complex diagrams) or it's artistic purpose (i.e. illustrated text). These publications can often be partially or completely inaccessible to people with disabilities, especially disabilities affecting vision or visual processing. However, the visual nature of fixed layout publications can also offer advantages for disabled readers. Graphic and visual design is about much more than making things look pretty, and well-designed publications can create reading experiences that aid in increasing understanding, information retention, conveying complex ideas, and more.
@@ -74,22 +74,32 @@In addition to the recommendations in this document, the Publishing Maintenance Working Group's Fixed Layout Accessibility Task Force is producing an accompanying techniques document to cover the technical side of fixed layout accessibility.
+This document provides guidance and best practices for meeting the requirements of EPUB Accessibility 1.1 [[epub-a11y-11]] for fixed layout publications, in particular with respect to meeting WCAG 2 success criteria [[wcag2]]. It is not a new standard for document accessibility.
+ +This document does not cover WCAG success criteria that do not typically apply to fixed layout content or that cannot be accommodated by fixed layouts. For example, the needs of people with low vision or learning disabilities that rely on the transformation of text (i.e., dyslexia) are still difficult to accommodate in fixed layout content.
+ +Success criteria categorized as Level AAA are also out of scope, as these are typically considered aspirational for conformance purposes. EPUB creators may still want or need to meet the criteria not covered by this document, and are encouraged to do so when possible.
+ +This document also outlines reading system considerations specific to accessibility for fixed layouts, and methods reading systems can apply to make content more accessible. It is not a general guide to making reading systems, their user interfaces, or user experiences accessible.
+Fixed layout publications present some unique challenges for accessibility. The requirements laid out in EPUB Accessibility 1.1 [[epub-a11y-11]] recommend WCAG 2 level AA [[wcag2]], but for some use cases in fixed layout that might not be possible without changes to the content. In this document, we will align recommendations with WCAG 2 level AA where possible, but will exclude success criteria that do not apply to fixed layout content.
+The Publishing Maintenance Working Group recognizes that making fully accessible fixed layouts presents unique challenges, and may not be possible in many cases. That should not be used as an excuse not to make fixed layout publications as accessible as possible.
-In particular, the needs of people with low vision or learning disabilities that rely on the transformation of text (i.e. dyslexia) are still almost impossible to accommodate in fixed layout content. EPUB creators concerned about this may choose not to use fixed layout.
+EPUB creators who have to meet specific accessibility conformance requirements may find that reflowable publications are the only option at this time.
We want to recognize these challenges for EPUB creators, and in this document will outline some recommendations for producing more accessible fixed layout content. We encourage EPUB creators to explore the full range of options for accessibility that digital publications present, even when creating fixed layout publications.
- -Reading systems also play a role in presenting accessible content. This document will outline considerations specific to accessibility for fixed layout in reading systems, and methods reading systems can apply to make content more accessible.
WCAG [[wcag]] is structured around four main principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These principles are the foundation of web accessibility and a helpful way to group and understand the guidelines and success criteria required to make content accessible. Not all WCAG success criteria apply to fixed layout content, and fixed layout cannot meet all success criteria that apply.
+WCAG [[wcag2]] is structured around four main principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These principles are the foundation of web accessibility and a helpful way to group and understand the guidelines and success criteria required to make content accessible. Not all WCAG success criteria apply to fixed layout content, and fixed layout cannot meet all success criteria that apply.
We will use the principles to demonstrate how accessibility success criteria relate to fixed layout content.
@@ -98,22 +108,25 @@Content must be presented and built in a way that allows it to be perceivable to different senses. This principle requires fixed layout content be built in a way that supports multiple reading methods - visual, audible, and tactile. This principle and its related success criteria are achieved by providing text alternatives for images, using proper markup to structure content, and ensuring visual content is well contrasted and designed.
+These are the most applicable success criteria for fixed layout content:
+Content and navigation must be operable, built in a way that makes it usable for all users. This principle, when applied to fixed layout content, is achieved through consistent navigation and content structure.
+These are the most applicable success criteria for fixed layout content:
+Content must be understandable. This principle has limited application to fixed layout content aside from the importance of proper language labelling.
+These are the most applicable success criteria for fixed layout content:
+Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a variety of user agents, reading systems, and assistive technologies. For fixed layout content, achieving this principle requires the EPUB file to be well-formed and all content must use proper markup.
+These are the most applicable success criteria for fixed layout content:
+WCAG [[wcag2]] has several success criteria that relate to order of content that should also be considered:
WCAG [[wcag2]] has several success criteria that apply to the presentation and accessibility of images:
The basic requirements for all images are to provide alternative text and extended descriptions when they contain information necessary to understanding the publication, which applies to fixed layouts. For example, while a reader may be able to follow the dialogue of a story when it is overlaid as text, only the placement on image might give context to what character is saying what.
@@ -306,14 +328,14 @@WCAG [[wcag2]] has several success criteria relating to navigation: