Highlights from the conference:

– W3C gave an update on the latest working groups to come over the next few years.
Special focus will be on EPUB 3.4, accessibility task forces and a first time ever, digital
comics task force. The digital comics task force will focus on accessibility in comics,
webtoons and fixed layouts.

– Three organizations gave a brief talk about the benefits of using Readium to create
reading apps or online bookshops.

– Thorium provided an update on their upcoming year with a focus on developing a web
version of their desktop ebook reader application that many may be familiar with. Some
new features for the desktop application to come are customizable text to speech
options, ability to add bookmarks to pages, annotate text, highlight words and keyboard
shortcut guide.

– AI generated image descriptions tools was a large focus in the conference with many
companies giving a demonstration of their tool and starting conversation of how AI can
be integrated in publishers workflow. Thorium and De Marque demonstrated their AI alt
text tools that are currently in development or available in an early stage release.

– AI was focused in two parts – tools for readers, and tools for publishers. Tools for
readers included demonstrations about readers having the ability to ask their textbooks
to summarize information or create quiz questions to test their knowledge. Early
adoption of this tool has been implemented by VitalSource in US summer schools, with a
wide roll out planned for the fall. Tools for publishers involved demonstrations of how to
use AI for marketing/advertising or editorial (or to weed out a slush pile).

– “Lightning Talks” was where four companies gave a quick highlevel presentation about
their new reading app or InDesign templates to create accessible content.

– Bookalope provided a demonstration of their new Benetech Approved Publishing Tool to
create EPUBs that are guaranteed to pass ACE by Daisy. The tool is meant to help
publishers create accessible ebooks in house at a reduced cost.

– Hachette Livre from France gave a presentation about how they are working to meet the
EAA requirements for accessible content, for their fixed layout titles, by producing a new
format called Web Publications.

– CELA represented Canada by presenting on their Accessible Audiobook project. Results
can be found on CELA’s website here: https://celalibrary.ca/blog/accessible-commercial-
audiobooks-project-wraps

– Don’t forget to check out eBOUND’s accessible audiobook section for more information
as well: https://apln.ca/category/accessible-audiobook-production/

A lot of information was shared within the two days that brings the publishing industry
together to share knowledge and discuss any accessible publishing gaps. eBOUND thanks
EDR Lab for their hard work in creating an informative conference and looks forward to
meeting and attending future sessions.