Using EPUB to Retire the PDF

Handouts

Scheduled at 3:00 pm in Denver 4-6 on Wednesday, November 13.

#39725

Speaker(s)

  • Darrin Evans, Director Virtual Learning Community Professional Development Center, North Carolina Community College System

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 2-hr
  • Format: Lab
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Campus faculty and staff should be aware of the modern digital publishing Standard EPUB 3. This presentation will provide the high-level perspective of all aspects of the ecosystem that makes EPUB 3 the most accessible publishing standard ever created. The session will include a hands-on portion on creating EPUB 3 files from structured accessible Microsoft Word documents using the free WordToEPUB application from DAISY.

Abstract

EPUB is the most accessible document format currently available. In this workshop, attendees will experience the accessibility features of this digital publishing format. We will show specific benefits for students who are blind, have low vision, or are learning disabled. We will explain how EPUB is a milestone development in accessibility. Attendees will leave with a workflow for creating EPUB files from structured accessible Microsoft Word documents.

We will spend hands-on time with the free WordToEPUB application and participants will also be introduced to the free Thorium Reader EPUB reading application.

The EPUB format has many universal design and accessibility advantages. In this session, we will use hands-on training to demystify and understand the anatomy of the format. Attendees will learn how to create accessible EPUB files using free tools.

Attendees will be provided with step by step instructions on using these free tools and will be provided with hand-outs that illustrate the process of creating EPUB files from Word Documents.

Keypoints

  1. EPUB files are the most accessible document format that we currently have.
  2. EPUB files are easy to create using Microsoft Word and the WordToEPUB application.
  3. EPUB files are quicker, easier, and more functional than corresponding PDF files.

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Vision

Topic Areas

Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Darrin Evans

Darrin Evans is an Accessibility Technologist and the Director of the North Carolina Virtual Learning Communities Professional Development Center. Darrin has a Master’s in Instructional Technology Darrin has over 15 years of experience in eLearning and accessibility of digital content. The Virtual Learning Community is a partnership between the 58 community colleges of the North Carolina Community College System and Wake Technical Community College. Darrin enjoys technology and is always looking for ways to make digital content more accessible to all learners. In his spare time he is a very slow marathon swimmer.

Handout(s)