Metadata must explicitly indicate if the content is fully accessible through alternative modes (textual or auditory). This helps blind users using assistive technologies or individuals using text-to-speech features to determine if the book meets their reading needs.

Objectives

• Allow users to determine available reading modes in advance.
• Minimize the risk of customer complaints and returns.

Implementation

• Provide metadata regarding non-visual reading and any pre-recorded audio content. This information must be included in both the ebook metadata and the corresponding ONIX record.
• In EPUB, use the accessModeSufficient property with the values textual or auditory. Depending on the book’s specific content, it may also be necessary to include accessibilityFeature with values such as alternativeText, longDescription, describedMath, or transcript.
• In ONIX, use one or more of the following codes: List 196 code 52; List 81 codes 01 and 10; as well as codes for specific content if present: List 196 codes 14, 15, 16, and List 175 code V212.
• If applicable, add this information to other metadata schemas being used. A reference crosswalk table is available in English for this purpose.

Control

• Verify the presence and accuracy of the accessModeSufficient and accessibilityFeature metadata within the EPUB.
• Verify the presence and accuracy of the following codes in the ONIX record: List 196 code 52; List 81 codes 01 and 10; and codes for specific content if present (List 196 codes 14, 15, 16; List 175 code V212).