Section 2: 3rd Party Certified EPUB Books

Guidelines for Procuring Accessible EPUB Books 

Ensuring equal access to information is a core responsibility for all organizations. When purchasing EPUB books, it is crucial to select content that is accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. Prioritizing third-party certified, accessible ebooks guarantees a baseline of quality and usability, saving time and resources while promoting inclusivity. 

These guidelines are intended to assist procurement departments and individuals in making informed decisions when acquiring digital publications. By adhering to these recommendations, your organization can ensure that your digital library is inclusive and compliant with the latest accessibility standards. 

Core Principles for Acquiring Accessible Digital Content 

When purchasing EPUB books, organizations should prioritize content that meets the following criteria: 

1. Require Third-Party Accessibility Certification: The most reliable way to ensure an EPUB is accessible is to require certification from a recognized, independent authority. This verification process validates that the digital book conforms to established accessibility standards. 

• Global Certified Accessible (GCA): Benetech’s GCA program is a leading, third-party certification for EPUBs. A GCA seal signifies that a book has undergone a rigorous vetting process and is fully accessible. Organizations should prioritize purchasing titles that are GCA certified. For more information on the GCA program [https:// bornaccessible.benetech.org/global-certified-accessible/]. 

2. Conformity to the Latest Accessibility Standards: Digital content must align with the most current international standards for accessibility. This ensures that the materials can be used effectively by people with a wide range of disabilities. 

• EPUB Accessibility 1.1: This is the W3C technical specification for creating accessible EPUB files. Conformance with this standard is a foundational requirement for any accessible digital book. You can review the full specification here: EPUB Accessibility 1.1 Conformance and Discovery [https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-a11y-11/]. 

• WCAG and Display Guidelines: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the benchmark for web accessibility and are also applicable to EPUBs. The latest version of WCAG should be met, but at least WCAG 2.1 AA. Furthermore, specifications from the W3C Publishing Community Group, such as the Accessibility and Display Guidelines [https://www.w3.org/community/reports/publishingcg/CG-FINAL-a11y-display-guidelines-20250422/], provide technical requirements for how information about accessible digital publications should be rendered. 

• If you cannot find information about the accessibility of specific titles, you should ask the publisher to provide you with this information; tis specific to each publication and is different from a VPAT. 

Key Features of an Accessible EPUB 

An accessible EPUB file should include, but is not limited to, the following features: 

• Well-Structured Content: The book should have a logical reading order and be structured with headings, lists, and other semantic markup to facilitate navigation. 

• Alternative Text for Images: All images and meaningful graphics must have descriptive alternative text (alt text) that can be read aloud by screen readers. 

• Navigability: A comprehensive table of contents is essential for easy navigation. The content should be navigable by keyboard alone. 

• Resizable Text: Users must be able to resize text to their preference without loss of content or functionality. 

• High-Contrast and Color-Independent: The text should have sufficient contrast with the background, and information should not be conveyed by color alone. 

• Accessibility Metadata: The EPUB file should include metadata that declares its accessibility conformance, and the metadata on who certified this content is from a respected 3^rd party. 

Where to Find Certified Accessible Books 

A growing number of publishers are committed to producing accessible content. The following resource provides a central location for finding and purchasing GCA-certified accessible ebooks: 

Benetech Accessible Books on VitalSource [https://benetechaccessiblebooks.vitalsource.com/]  

This storefront features a catalog of EPUBs that have been certified as globally accessible by Benetech. 

By leveraging this resource, your organization can confidently acquire digital books that are “born accessible” and ready for all readers. 

By integrating these guidelines into your procurement policies, your organization demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has access to the world of knowledge.