Product Matrices – Complete

Last updated: February 27, 2014

Notes

  • The matrices below summarize image-description support in DTB and e-book hardware and software reading systems.   The columns labeled “Convey short image descriptions” and “Convey long image descriptions” indicate whether or not a system can convey descriptions through assistive technology (such as a screen reader) or some other TTS method.  If the system can convey a description type, the method is indicated in the appropriate column (e.g., “alt” for a short description or “longdesc” for a long description).  Columns related to SVGs indicate whether a device can display Scalable Vector Graphics as well as convey descriptions through assistive technology or some other TTS method. The image-authoring table summarizes support for metadata used to describe images, as well as the portability of that metadata (whether or not the data are saved with the image and remain available for other applications to reuse).
  • A field containing a dash does not necessarily indicate that a feature is unsupported, but that more research is required to make a determination.
  • For more information about metadata and image descriptions, read DIAGRAM’s Potential Use of Image Description Metadata for Accessibility and the follow-up addendum, Alternatives, Content Model, New Tools, Dependencies and Updates.
  • Read the results of the 2012 DIAGRAM Reading Technology Survey to learn how people who are blind and visually impaired obtain and access reading material.
DTB Hardware | DTB Software | DTB Authoring Software | e-book Hardware | e-book Software | Image Authoring Software

DTB Hardware

Name Cost DTB sources Visual display Display images Convey short image descriptions Convey long image descriptions Display or read MathML Display or describe SVG Misc.
Book Port Plus $ DAISY 2.02, 3; NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No No – – – No
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Can turn a recording into a DTB.
Booksense $ NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No No No No No No
Olympus DM-4 $ DAISY 2.0 and 2.02 Yes – – – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only.
  • Plays only DAISY audio.
  • Has 2.2″ color display.
  • Records and plays mp3, wma, wav; also plays audible.com.
HumanWare ClassMate Reader $ DAISY 2.02; DAISY 3; NIMAS; Bookshare; others No– – – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS and text highlighting.
  • Has color display; can configure display (text size, color, spacing, etc.).
Intel Reader $ DAISY 2.02, 3, ; Learning Ally Yes No No No No No
  • Has 4.3″ color display; takes pictures of printed text; will convert to audio and read.
  • Does not recognize images in print source material.
  • Can toggle between picture of print source (i.e., text/images) or OCR-converted text.
  • Has fully configurable voice navigation.
  • Can configure display (text size, color, etc.).
  • Will not display in-line images in DAISY books.
Milestone 312 $ DAISY 2.02; NLS; others No No No No No No
Plextalk PTN2 $ DAISY 2.02, 3; NLS; Learning Ally; BARD No No Yes, via alt No No No
  • Reads alt in HTML but does not identify the image.
  • Does not read alt in DTB.
Plextalk Pocket PTP1 $ DAISY 2.02, 3; NLS; Learning Ally; Bookshare No No Yes, via alt No No No
  • Has voice recorder; records to DAISY 2.02.
  • Reads alt in HTML but does not identify the image
  • Does not read alt in DTB
Plextalk PTR2 $ NLS, Learning Ally No No No No No No
  • Plays 2.0 and 2.02 DAISY audio books
  • Comes with PRS software to produce type 1 and type 2 DAISY 2.02 books
  • Also plays mp3, wav, ogg audio files
Victor Reader Classic X $ DAISY 1.x, 2.x, 3; No No No No No No
Victor Reader Stratus12 M $ DAISY 2.0, 2.02, 3; MP3 No – – – – –
  • Plays books and audio on CDs, SD cards or USB drives
Victor Reader Stream (New Generation) $ DAISY 2.0, 2.02, 3; MP4; others No No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
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DTB Software

Name; cost; OS DTB sources Visual display Display images Read alt: TTS or screen reader Read longdesc: TTS or screen reader Read prodnote: TTS or screen reader Display SVG Read SVG title: TTS or screen reader Read SVG desc: TTS or screen reader Display MathML Read MathML: TTS or screen reader Misc.
AMIS 3.1.3; free; Windows DAISY 2.02, 3 Yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes (announces the presence of longdesc TTS: no; screen reader: yes No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no
  • Open-source software
  • Displays fallback images when supplied with mathML
Book Wizard Reader; free; Windows RFB&D; DAISY 2.02, 3 Yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes (announces the presence of longdesc TTS: no; screen reader: yes if visible No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no
Buttercup Reader; free; Win/Mac DAISY 3 Yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no
  • Browser-based Silverlight DTB reader.
  • Self-voicing feature only works with IE/Windows.
DDReader+; free; Windows DAISY 3 Yes Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no
EasyReader 6.04; $; Windows RFB&D; Bookshare; DAISY 2.02, 3; others Yes Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: yes; screen reader: yes No TTS: yes; screen reader: yes TTS: yes; screen reader: yes Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: yes
  • Reads @alt but does not identify the image
  • Displays prodnote, SVG title and SVG desc visibly
FSReader 2.0; $; Windows RFB&D; Bookshare; DAISY 2.02, 3 Yes No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
  • Included with JAWS; download available for use with PAC Mate.
GoRead 4.1; free; Android Bookshare; DAISY 2.02, 3; EPUB Yes Yes TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: yes; screen-reader: yes No TTS: no; screen-reader: TTS: no; screen-reader: n/a No TTS: no; screen-reader:
  • Does not read alt on images
  • Makes prodnote visible; places the words “Image Description” at the beginning of the prodnote and “End Image Description” at the end of the prodnote.
  • Recognizes markup within prodnote: displays lists, links and text formatting but not tables; does not convey markup aurally.
IVEO Viewer 2.1; free; Windows – Yes No TTS: no; screen-reader: n/a TTS: no; screen-reader: n/a TTS: no; screen-reader: n/a Yes TTS: yes; screen-reader: n/a TTS: yes; screen-reader: n/a No TTS: no; screen-reader: n/a
JAWS for Windows 12/13/14; $; Windows n/a n/a n/a TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes if visible n/a Yes No n/a Yes with MathPlayer or MathJax
  • Screen reader; can read DTBs in browsers or in some DTB readers.
Kurzweil 1000 version 12; $; Windows any Yes — — — — — — — —
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • TTS software that works in conjunction with various scanners.
  • Converts WAV or MP3 to DAISY 2.02.
Kurzweil 3000 5.0 (standalone); $; Mac DAISY 3; PDF; HTML; others Yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: Yes; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no Makes prodnote visible
Kurzweil 3000 13.28 (standalone); $; Windows DAISY 3; PDF; HTML; others Yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: Yes; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No TTS: no; screen reader: no Makes prodnote visible
NVDA; free; Windows n/a n/a n/a TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes if visible n/a Yes No n/a Yes with MathPlayer or MathJax
  • Screen reader; can read DTBs in browsers or in some DTB readers.
ReadHear Mac/PC; $; Win/Mac DAISY 2.02, 3; RFB&D; Bookshare Yes Yes TTS: no; screen-reader: yes TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: yes; screen-reader: yes Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: no TTS: yes; screen reader: no Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: no
  • Reads prodnote but does not identify it as such
  • Does not recognize markup within prodnote
Read:OutLoud 6; $; Win/Mac Bookshare; DAISY 3; PDF; NIMAS; others Yes Yes TTS: yes; screen-reader: no TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: yes; screen-reader: no No TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: yes; screen-reader: no No TTS: no; screen-reader: no
  • Will open NIMAS, PDF, RTF, HTML, DAISY, XML and TXT
  • Makes prodnote visible
  • Makes SVG desc visible
Read2Go 1.0.3.10; $; iOS Bookshare; DAISY 2.02, 3 Yes No TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: yes; screen-reader: no No TTS: no; screen-reader: no TTS: no; screen-reader: no No TTS: no; screen-reader: no
  • Makes prodnote visible and draws a box around the prodnote text
  • Recognizes markup within prodnote: displays lists, tables, links and text formatting but does not convey markup aurally.
VoiceOver; free; Mac/iOS any n/a n/a Yes No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no n/a TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes n/a TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes
  • Screen reader built in to OS X and iOS
Window-Eyes 8.4; $; Windows any n/a n/a Yes, via alt Yes, via longdesc and prodnote (if visible) Will read title element but not desc element n/a Yes with MathPlayer or MathJax
  • Screen reader; can read DTBs in browsers or in some DTB readers.
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DTB Authoring Software

Name, cost OS Import formats Export formats Image support Include short image descriptions Include long image descriptions Include MathML Include or describe SVG Misc.
Book Wizard Producer 1.5.2.0, $ Windows HTML, WAV, MP3, DTBook, NIMAS DAISY 3 Yes Yes, via alt No No No
  • Creates audio-only, text-only or text+audio DTBs.
  • Retains alt during import of source files.
  • Records alt during TTS conversion; also makes alt visible in text.
Dolphin EasyConverter 6.02, $ Windows Word, TXT, HTML, EPUB, PDF, NIMAS, others DAISY 3, 2.02; TXT, BRL, others Yes Yes, via alt No No No
Dolphin Publisher 3.03, $ Windows Word, TXT, HTML, NIMAS, existing DTBs DAISY 3, 2.02; EPUB 3 (soon) Yes Yes, via alt No No No
DAISY Pipeline 20111215, free Windows, OS X DAISY 3, 2.02; DTBook DAISY 3, 2.02 Yes Yes No Yes No
Obi 3.0.1, free Windows WAV; XHTML DAISY 3, 2.02; audio and NCX-only DTBs; exports mp3. No No No No No
odt2daisy 2.1, free Windows/Mac ODT DAISY 3 Yes Yes, via alt No Yes Yes
  • Extension to OpenOffice 3.0+.
PlexTalk PRS Pro Windows DAISY 2.x; TXT DAISY 2.02; structured audio only No Yes, via alt No No No
  • Structured audio books only; no support for full DAISY books.
  • Bundled with PTR1 and PTR2.
Poet, free Windows/Mac All DAISY formats All DAISY formats Yes No Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Tool for adding descriptions to existing DAISY books
  • Can be used online or downloaded for off-line use
  • Can be integrated into other authoring tools or workflows for custom use
Save As DAISY/MSWord Add-In 2.5.5.1, free Windows Word/Office Open XML (DOCX) DTBook XML; full DAISY DTB – Yes, via alt Yes, via longdesc Yes No
Studio Recorder, $ Windows WAV, MP3 DAISY 3 No n/a n/a n/a n/a
Tobi 2.2.0.0, free Windows Obi projects; DAISY 3; DTBook; Save-as-Daisy files from Word or OpenOffice; EPUB 3; WAV; MP3 DAISY 3, EPUB 3 Yes Yes, using elements defined in the DIAGRAM Content Model, also via alt Yes, using elements defined in the DIAGRAM Content Model, also via prodnote Yes Yes
  • Synchronizes text with recorded narration
  • Also creates and synchronizes TTS audio
  • Implements the DIAGRAM Content Model to provide various forms of image descriptions or alternatives
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e-book Hardware

Name Cost OS Source files Convey short image descriptions Convey long image descriptions Display or read MathML Display images Display or describe SVG Alter text/image size Accessible Misc.
Nook $ Android EPUB, PDB, PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP No No No Yes No No No
  • Has wireless and 3G connectivity.
  • No TTS
Nook Color $ Android EPUB, PDF, PDB, CBZ, XLS, DOC, PPT, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLX, PPTX, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, MP4, Flash, AAC – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has wireless connectivity.
  • No TTS
Nook Simple Touch $ Android EPUB, PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has wireless connectivity.
  • No TTS
Nook Tablet $ Android EPUB, PDF, PDB, XLS, DOC, PPT, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLX, PPTX, mp3, MP4, Flash, 3GP, 3G2 MKV, WEBM (H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, VP8), JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, MP4, AAC, AMR, WAV, OGG – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has wireless connectivity.
  • No TTS
Bookeen Cybook Opus $ Linux Epub, PDF, TXT, HTML – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has wireless connectivity.
  • Has TTS
iPad $ iOS varies Yes but depends on e-book software Yes but depends on e-book software Yes but depends on e-book software Yes Yes; in browser only Yes, but only when VoiceOver is off. Yes
  • VoiceOver screen reader will interact with apps that have been authored accessibly
  • Magnification and VoiceOver will not work simultaneously.
iPhone $ iOS varies Yes but depends on e-book software Yes but depends on e-book software Yes but depends on e-book software Yes Yes; in browser only Yes, but only when VoiceOver is off. Yes
  • VoiceOver screen reader will interact with apps that have been authored accessibly
  • Magnification and VoiceOver will not work simultaneously.
iPod touch $ iOS varies Yes, via alt No No Yes Yes; in browser only Yes, but only when VoiceOver is off. Yes
  • VoiceOver screen reader will interact with apps that have been authored accessibly
  • Magnification and VoiceOver will not work simultaneously.
Kindle $ Linux Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has no TTS
Kindle 3/Kindle Keyboard $ Linux AZW, PDF, HTML, MOBI, Word, txt No No No Yes No Yes Somewhat
  • Browser does not display alt text
  • Has TTS (Voice Guide) for menus and OS navigation
  • TTS also available for reading text if DRM allows.
  • TTS does not identify when an image is present.
Kindle DX $ Linux Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • TTS available for reading text if DRM allows.
Kindle Fire $ Linux Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8 – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS (Voice Guide) for menus and OS navigation
  • TTS also available for reading text if DRM allows
Kindle Touch $ Linux Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, Audible, MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • TTS available for reading text if DRM allows
Kobo eReader $ Linux PDF, TXT, FB2, EPUB, MOBI, XHTML No No No Yes No Yes No
  • No TTS
  • Operates via buttons; no touchscreen
PocketBook 360 Plus $ Linux Docx, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, PDF, DJVU, RTF, HTML, PRC (mobi), CHM, EPUB, DOC, TCR, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • No TTS
  • Has wireless connectivity
PocketBook Basic 611 $ Linux EPUB (ADOBE DRM), PDF (ADOBE DRM), EPUB, PDF, TXT, DJVU, RTF, HTML, CHM, DOC, DOCX, TCR, FB2, FB2.ZIP, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • No TTS
  • Has wireless connectivity
PocketBook Pro 602 $ Linux Docx, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, PDF, DJVU, RTF, HTML, PRC (mobi), CHM, EPUB, DOC, TCR, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, MP3 – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS (multiple languages)
  • Has wireless connectivity
PocketBook Pro 902 $ Linux Docx, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, PDF, DJVU, RTF, HTML, PRC (mobi), CHM, EPUB, DOC, TCR, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, MP3 – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS (multiple languages)
  • Has wireless connectivity
PocketBook IQ $ Linux Docx, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, PDF, DJVU, RTF, HTML, CHM, EPUB, DOC, TCR, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, MP3 – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS (multiple languages)
  • Has wireless connectivity
PocketBook A 10 $ Linux PDF (ADOBE DRM), EPUB (ADOBE DRM), PDF, EPUB, FB2, TXT, DJVU, RTF, HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, MP3, WAV – – – Yes – – –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS (multiple languages)
  • Has wireless connectivity
Sony Reader PRS9x $ Linux BBeB, EPUB, PDF, TXT, RTF, DOC, DOCX, mp3, AAC No No No Yes No Yes No
  • No TTS
  • Table layout disappears at certain magnification levels
  • Some images disappear at certain magnification levels
  • Touchscreen operates w/stylus or fingers
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e-book Software

Name, cost OS Source files Built-in TTS Read alt: TTS or screen reader Read longdesc: TTS or screen reader Display SVG Read SVG title: TTS or screen reader Read SVG desc: TTS or screen reader Display MathML Read MathML: TTS or screen reader Misc.
Adobe Digital Editions 3.0; free Windows, OS X PDF; EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes No TTS: no; screen reader: no
Adobe Reader XI; free Windows, OS X PDF Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: no No n/a n/a No n/a
Azardi 26; free Windows, OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: JAWS will announce the presence of longdesc; other screen readers will not Yes n/a n/a Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
Bluefire Reader 2.0; free iOS, Android EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; PDF No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a
BookReader 4.9; $ OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; others Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes
  • Can also open iBooks Textbooks, although these cannot be read with VoiceOver
Calibre 1.21; free Windows, OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
Cool Reader 3.1.2; free Android EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a n/a No n/a
Dolphin EasyReader 6.04; free Windows EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; DAISY; others Yes TTS: yes; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: yes; screen reader: yes Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes
  • MathML is displayed using the MathPlayer plug-in
Google Play Books; free Windows, OS X (browser-based) EPUB 3.0; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
iBooks 1.01; free OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; iBooks Textbooks No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes in EPUB but no in iBooks Textbooks
iBooks for iOS 3.2; free iOS EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; iBooks Textbooks (on iPad only) No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes (EPUB only, not iBooks Textbooks) TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes (only iBooks Textbooks, not EPUB)
Kindle Cloud Reader; free n/a (browser-based) AZW via HTML5 Web app No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a n/a No n/a
Kindle for iOS; free iOS MOBI, AZW; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a n/a No n/a
  • Convert EPUB books to AZW or MOBI before reading
Kindle for Mac; free OS X MOBI, AZW; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a
  • Convert EPUB books to AZW or MOBI before reading
Kindle for PC; free Windows MOBI, AZW; others Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no No n/a
Lucifox 0.9.7; free Windows/OS X (Firefox extension) EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes (Windows only) Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
Murasaki 2.2; $ OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes
NeoSoar 3.1; free iOS, Android EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; PDF No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a
Nook for iOS 3.4.4; free iOS EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; PDF; others No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No n/a
Nook for Web; free n/a (browser-based) EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0; No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no – –
Readium 0.9.1; free Windows/OS X (Chrome extension) EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes (VoiceOver only) Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
Scarlett 1.0.4; $ OS X EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: no TTS: no; screen reader: no Yes TTS: no; screen reader: yes
VitalSource Bookshelf 2.0; free Android VBK; EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
VitalSource Bookshelf 2.5; free iOS VBK; EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes
VitalSource Bookshelf 2.5; free OS X VBK; EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: no TTS: n/a; screen reader: no Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes
VitalSource Bookshelf 2.5; free Windows VBK; EPUB 2.0.1, 3.0 No TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes Yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes TTS: n/a; screen reader: yes No TTS: n/a; screen reader: no
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Image Authoring Software

Name Cost OS Export formats Include short image descriptions Include long image descriptions Include MathML Export SVG Misc.
Adobe Fireworks $ Windows, OS X PNG, GIF, animated GIF, JPG, BMP, WBMP, TIFF, SWF, AI, PSD Yes, via alt No No No
  • Can generate HMTL w/alt for image slices or entire image
  • Does not export tagged PDF
Adobe Flash $ Windows, OS X GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, SWF, FLA, FLV Yes, via alt – – – –
Adobe Illustrator $ Windows, OS X PDF, SVG, SVGZ, GIF, JPG, PNG, WBMP, SWF Yes, via alt No No Yes
  • Metadata saved on export; can be edited in other applications such as Bridge or Lightroom
  • Can generate HMTL w/alt for image slices or entire image
  • Does not export tagged PDF
Adobe Photoshop $ Windows, OS X GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, SWF Yes, via alt No No No
  • Allows authoring of embedded image metadata
  • Preserves upstream embedded image metadata
  • Metadata saved on export; can be edited in other applications such as Bridge or Lightroom
  • Can generate HMTL w/alt for image slices or entire image
  • Does not export tagged PDF
Amaya Free Windows, OS X SVG Yes, via alt – Yes –
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Open-source code editor from W3C
  • Also a browser
Inkscape Free Windows, OS X PNG, SVG No No No Yes
  • Open-source SVG-authoring software
  • Authors can include descriptions as well as DC metadata
  • Authors can add alt/longdesc to exported bitmaps in HTML source
Microsoft Publisher $ Windows PUB, TIFF, GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP Yes, via alt No No No
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Desktop publishing software that can save documents in various formats.
Oxygen XML Editor $ Windows, OS X Nearly any markup language, including SVG and MathML Yes, via alt Yes, via longdesc Yes Yes
  • XML editor; authors can manually write any language but comes with with templates for SVG, MathML, others.
XMLSpy $ Windows Nearly any markup language, including SVG and MathML Yes, via alt Yes, via longdesc Yes Yes
  • XML editor; authors can manually write any language but comes with with templates for SVG, MathML, others.
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Ideas that work.The DIAGRAM Center is a Benetech initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (Cooperative Agreement #H327B100001). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education.

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