eBook Accessibility: Formatting EPUB Files for Screen Readers
Make your eBook accessible. Learn to write alt text, style semantic HTML, and build screen-reader-friendly EPUBs.
Eleanor Vance
Head of Digital Production
"eBook accessibility ensures visually impaired readers can enjoy your books. Designing for accessibility requires using semantic HTML and alt-text tags."
Core Key Takeaways
- Writing Alt-Text for Cover Art and Images
- Using Semantic HTML Structures for Layouts
- Testing EPUB Files in Accessibility Checkers
1. Writing Alt-Text for Cover Art and Images
Include alternative text descriptions for all illustrations and cover images in your EPUB file, keeping text concise and descriptive.
- Add alt-text to images to describe their contents for screen readers.
- Use descriptive, simple text rather than phrases like "image of".
- Leave decorative ornaments unlabelled to avoid cluttering audio.
2. Using Semantic HTML Structures for Layouts
Format your text with clean HTML elements (e.g., using <h1> for chapter titles and <p> for paragraphs) to keep layout structures organized.
Transform Your Manuscript into a Retail-Ready Print & eBook Layout
Avoid margin rejections and broken reflows. Our senior book designers craft custom InDesign spreads, decorative chapter headings, and validated responsive EPUBs.
3. Testing EPUB Files in Accessibility Checkers
Run EPUB files through accessibility validators (like Ace by DAISY) to verify structure, metadata tags, and color contrast ratios.
The Takeaway
Accessible formatting expands your reader base. The digital layout team at Golden Ivory Publishing formats retail-ready, accessible eBooks.
Transform Your Manuscript into a Retail-Ready Print & eBook Layout
Avoid margin rejections and broken reflows. Our senior book designers craft custom InDesign spreads, decorative chapter headings, and validated responsive EPUBs.
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