Developing an Integrated Accessible Interactive EPUB 3

#17642

Speaker(s)

  • Rick Johnson, Vice-President Product Strategy , VitalSource Technologies, LLC.
  • Christopher Auclair, Software Engineer, VitalSource Technologies LLC.
  • Amy Salmon, Senior Accessibility Consultant, Tech for All, Inc.

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Intermediate
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Although ePUB3 supports integrated interactivity, the challenge is developing interactive activities that are accessible. Learn how VitalSource with Tech For All tackled these challenges through development and testing protocols, including demonstration and code reveal for several interactive activities.

Abstract

Imagine an EPUB 3 book with interactive activities such as short quizzes, chapter tests, and vocabulary pop-ups integrated into the content. Next, imagine that these interactive activities are accessible in numerous environments, including Internet browsers, desktop, and mobile applications. This is the challenge facing many digital publishers today. Through many iterations and exhaustive accessibility testing, VST with TFA has developed a number of accessible, interactive activities that work consistently across the board, , including Multiple Choice, Essay Writing, Short Answer, Fill-in-the-Blank, Drag-and-Drop, Inline glossary definition pop-ups, Slide Show and Video and Audio.

Keypoints

  1. Specific challenges that had to be overcome with the accessibility of custom controls and integrated content.
  2. Lessons learned about integrated interactive activities to carry forward in development of future activities.
  3. The accessibility testing protocol – how the activities were evaluated using AT in different environments.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Rick Johnson

Rick Johnson is the Vice President of Product Strategy, and one of the founders of VitalSource Technologies, Inc. Now a division of the Ingram Content Group, VitalSource the maker of Bookshelf®, the most widely used platform for delivery of electronic textbooks in the world. As VP of Product Strategy, Rick manages the strategic direction of the fast growing platform, guiding the architecture, and implementation of its clients and systems.

Rick's career has been focused on bringing together his three passions: technology, publishing, and education. He is a frequent speaker internationally on electronic textbooks, their integration into an institutional environment, and how the accessibility needs of individual students can best be accommodated in their delivery. He has served on multiple committees addressing the needs around delivering accessible content to students, was a member of the working groups responsible for version 2 and version 3 of the EPUB standard, currently serves on the board of directors for IMS Global (https://www.imsglobal.org/boardofdirectors.html) and the IDPF (https://idpf.org/about-us/leadership), and is the co-inventor of 3 domestic and international patents dealing with electronic books and their distribution.

Prior to Ingram and VitalSource, Rick spent more than 12 years with Apple Computer, Inc. As a Senior National Consulting Engineer for them he was instrumental in the implementation of complex solutions for many higher education and corporate customers, and received numerous national and international awards.

A graduate of the communication and business departments of Biola University in 1984, Rick has lived in the Phoenix area with his family since they moved from Southern California in 1991. Married to his wife Susie for more than 30 years, together they have raised two children, and are very active in their church and community. Rick also serves on the board of directors for several non-profit ministries.

Christopher Auclair

Christopher Auclair is a software engineer for VitalSource Content Studio (VCS), a digital-first authoring platform for creating accessible, interactive EPUB 3 content. Christopher has worked at VitalSource Technologies (VST) since 2010 in a variety of roles, from custom product support to software developer. Today, Christopher focuses on user interfaces and workflow enhancements.

Amy Salmon

Amy Salmon has been a Senior Accessibility Consultant for Tech for All, Inc. (TFA) since 2003. TFA is a 17 years old highly regarded international accessibility & universal design consulting firm that serves small to Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and non profit organizations representing people with disabilities. Amy conducts accessibility analysis and evaluations of websites, software, content, and integrated hardware & software applications.

Legally blind since 1995, Amy combines her knowledge of access technology with training and expertise in accessibility guidelines and best practice to provide TFA clients with a comprehensive analysis of the accessibility and usability of their products. She has worked with variety of industries including airlines, eCommerce, higher education, publishing, retail, and telecommunication. Amy’s goal is to make accessibility for all an integral part of the future.

She has published and presented numerous times at the CSUN International Technology and Persons with Disabilities and at the Accessing Higher Grounds Conferences. She has a Master’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation for the Visually Impaired from Northern Illinois University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.