For the past six years, Readmagine has been focusing attention on the challenge of accessibility. In its 2025 edition, Readmagine included a session on the subject at the critical moment when the new European regulation will come into force just one month after the date of this discussion, moderated by Gregorio Pellegrino.
With the upcoming implementation of the European Accessibility Act on June 28 of 2025, accessibility in publishing has become a central topic of discussion. The Act aims to ensure that content, including books, is accessible to everyone, particularly those with reading difficulties or visual impairments. In a recent session, experts discussed how the book industry is evolving to meet these needs and highlighted several important initiatives from various companies and organizations.
Gregorio Pellegrino, representing Fondazione Lia, emphasized that the European Accessibility Act is not about punishing publishers but about enabling more people to access and enjoy books, regardless of their physical challenges. The goal is to make reading a universal experience. Pellegrino introduced several key players in the accessibility movement, starting with Svetlana Odnopozov from Pocketbook, who shared the company’s initiatives to make reading more inclusive.
Pocketbook’s vision for accessible reading
At Pocketbook, Svetlana Odnopozov explained their approach to removing barriers for readers with visual impairments. The company has implemented several features in their devices, including a voice support system or screen reader, which makes the entire user interface accessible for blind users. With simple gestures and interactive tutorials, users can navigate their devices with ease. Additionally, Pocketbook offers adjustable font sizes, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and bold text options to assist those with low vision and cognitive challenges. They have also redesigned their packaging, including Braille inscriptions and QR codes that link to audio versions of product manuals, ensuring that users can access vital information before even unpacking the device.
Odnopozov highlighted that accessibility is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental part of Pocketbook’s mission to make reading accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
The role of metadata and EPUB 3 from the perspective of DeMarque
Étienne Breault from DeMarque discussed the critical role that metadata plays in ensuring accessible content. Under the European Accessibility Act, publishers are required to document accessibility metadata for their books. This ensures that users can easily find content that meets their specific accessibility needs. Breault also explained that publishers must transition from the outdated ePub2 format to ePub3, which supports features like adaptable layouts, alternative text for images, and compatibility with text-to-speech technology. For this transition, DeMarque works with publishers to create accessible workflows and conversion plans, not only for new titles but also for existing backlists.
InkBook’s accessible E-Readers
Marius Sobczak from InkBook presented the company’s efforts to create accessible e-readers and apps. InkBook’s devices are designed with a wide range of accessibility features, such as adjustable menus, one-hand operation, text-to-speech functionality, and voiceover support. Sobczak highlighted their commitment to supporting visual impairments and cognitive challenges by offering customizable font sizes, fonts like Open Dyslexic, and reflowable PDFs. These features make reading more flexible and enjoyable for users with varying needs. InkBook is also exploring AI and machine learning to enhance recommendations and accessibility further.
The path forward: a more inclusive future
All the speakers emphasized that accessibility should be a mindset embedded throughout the entire book production and distribution process. Whether it’s redesigning devices and apps or adapting content formats, the goal is to ensure that no reader is left behind. The European Accessibility Act provides a significant push towards this vision, but as these companies show, innovation and inclusivity are not just about compliance—they’re about providing a better experience for all readers.
With these efforts, the book industry is taking important steps toward creating a more inclusive reading environment. As accessibility technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more advancements that ensure reading remains an accessible and enriching experience for everyone.
You can follow the three presentations and the posterior conversation in this video.
