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Research

e-book Software

Last updated: October 16, 2012

Notes

  • This matrix summarizes image-description support in e-book software reading systems.   The columns labeled "Convey short image descriptions" and "Convey long image descriptions" indicate whether or not the 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).  The column labeled "Display or describe SVG" indicates whether the system can display Scalable Vector Graphics as well as convey descriptions through assistive technology or some other TTS method.
  • 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.
Name Cost OS Source files Image formats Convey short image descriptions Convey long image descriptions Display or read MathML Display or describe SVG Alter text/image size Accessible Misc.
Adobe Digital Editions
2.0
Free Windows, OS X PDF, EPUB PNG, JPG, GIF Yes, via alt No No Yes Yes Yes
  • Also supports embedded SWFs.
  • Most of ADE is accessible to Mac/Windows screen readers.
Adobe Reader X Free Windows, OS X PDF PNG, JPG, GIF Yes, via alt No No No Yes Yes
  • Accessibility of document depends on the author.
  • Reader/Windows works with screen readers; Reader/Mac doesn't work with VoiceOver (the text of PDFs opened with Preview can be read with VO, however).
  • iOS will also render PDF but cannot be read with VoiceOver.
iBooks 1.0 Free iOS PDF, EPUB PNG, JPG, GIF Yes, via custom descriptions Yes, via custom descriptions Yes No Yes Yes
  • MathML can be added using iBooks Author and MathType plug-in (either in iBooks Author itself or Pages)
  • MathML is not directly accessible to VoiceOver. iBooks Author allows a plain-text description to be attached to the equation, which is what VoiceOver reads
  • iBooks textbooks can only be viewed on an iPad
Nook/BN eReader Free iPhone/iPad/iPod touch EPUB, PDB, PDF PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP No No No No Yes No
  • VoiceOver cannot access the Nook.
  • Can alter contrast, font, font size/family.
  • No TTS.
  • Can zoom using OS gestures.
Nook Free Mac EPUB, PDF, PDF PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP No No No No Yes No
  • VoiceOver cannot access the Nook.
  • Can alter contrast, font, font size/family.
  • No TTS.
Nook Free Windows EPUB, PDB, PDF PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP No No No No Yes No
  • Screen readers cannot access the Nook.
  • Can alter contrast, font, font size but not font face.
  • No TTS.
Nook Free Android EPUB, PDB, PDF - - - - - - - -
Kindle Free Windows AZW, HTML, doc, zip, mobi, prc, pdf, txt PNG, JPG, GIF No No No No Yes No
  • No read-aloud function on Windows.
  • Read-aloud function only available when permitted by DRM.
  • HTML and DOC must be converted to AZW.
  • Does not work with screen readers.
Kindle Free iPhone/iPad/iPod touch AZW, HTML, doc, zip, mobi, prc, pdf, txt PNG, JPG, GIF No No No No Yes No
  • VoiceOver cannot access the Kindle app.
  • Can zoom using OS gestures.
Kindle Cloud Reader Free Mac/Windows using various browsers AZW via HTML5 Web app PNG, JPG, GIF - - - - - - -
Mobipocket Reader Free Windows Mobi, prc, EPUB? BMP, GIF No No No No Yes No
  • Screen readers cannot access Mobipocket Reader
  • Has zoom controls
  • Users can specify foreground/background colors, font size/face
  • Also available for Windows Mobile, Palm, BlackBerry, Symbian
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