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Comparing the accessibility of 3 Mainstream software e-readers: Adobe Digital Editions preview, Blio and Kindle for PC | Proposal No: 275 | Bios & Handouts |
Length of Session (in hours): 1 | Format: Lecture | Expertise Level: Beginner | Type of session: General Conference |
Summary of Session |
E-books and e-readers were originally designed without considering customers with disabilities. Now vendors have begun to add accessibility to the book format and the e-reader |
Abstract |
Each e-book publisher is creating its e-books in its own, unique proprietary format, and They have coincidentally created hardware e-reader devices that read their proprietary format locking the e-reader purchaser into purchasing that publisher?s e-books. These formats and e-readers originally rarely were accessible to readers with disabilities._x000D_The different formats that are common today include:_x000D_? PDF - Common, almost universal, binary format._x000D_? AZW and MOBI, Used by Kindle_x000D_? XPS, Used by Blio_x000D_? DAISY, Used by ReadHear and other accessibility-oriented readers_x000D_? EPUB, International standard for reflowable text readable by most e-readers _x000D_These publishers under both legal and popular criticisms have been working to add accessibility to their e-book standards and e-readers. Some of the most successful attempts have been software versions of the e-readers. This presentation will demonstrate 3 software e-book e-readers: Adobe Digital Editions, Blio and Kindle for PC._x000D_ |
Beth Coombs is the COO of EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) and has been active in EASI operations since 1997. Beth is the primary administrator for EASI activities including setting up its courses in the Blackboard system._x000D_Beth has co-presented at a dozen or more EASI presentations at Accessing Higher Ground and at the annual CSUN conferences._x000D_Besides being an editor for EASI?s Web pages and for its brochures and pamphlets, Beth provided Norman Coombs with strategic research support and editing on the book, Making Online Teaching More Accessible._x000D_