Accessibility

A Long-Standing Commitment

For nearly two decades, VitalSource has worked to ensure our products are designed from the beginning with accessibility in mind. We go beyond simply adhering to industry standards, as we are also actively involved in helping create those standards through participation in and leadership with key accessibility partners.

Supporting All Users

At VitalSource, we believe that every user should be fully supported for every title they use. This is why we ensure we conform to level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guideline.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) Signposting

In the Bookshelf® mobile and desktop apps, readers can now see in the Book Details panel a visual indicator showing their sideloaded content is DRM-free. Sideloaded eBooks have no limits on downloading or copying.

Content Controls

Content controls* in the Bookshelf® online, mobile, and desktop apps, readers can now:

• Choose from four different text sizes
• Select from various fonts available, including OpenDyslexic
• Easily alter the color of their screen by selecting night mode
• Choose from three different margin sizes
• Pick from three line height options

*Depending on the type of content, some content controls may not work. If something doesn't look right, you can default back to the publisher setting.

Accessibility Icons

Accessibility and compatibility with assistive technology is now clearly noted with icons for titles offering these features, allowing instructors and students to quickly see the information on the product details page.

• Publishers and content providers can describe the accessibility features included in their content
• Instructors selecting content for course adoption can quickly view the accessibility features on the product details page
• Students can confirm if their assigned course materials will accommodate their needs before they purchase the content

Colors and Contrasts

• Bookshelf Online has a built-in function to alter the color of the display
• All readers can adjust the background color to sepia, cyan, or night mode using our Mode options
• Readers using a Mac can change the color on their computer—this functionality is called Night Shift

Copying and Printing

• There are some limits on the amount of content that can be copied or printed from Bookshelf, as designated by the publisher
• A print dialogue box advises readers on the print limit for their title
• Limits on printing and copying vary, but are usually around 10%

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

• Content delivered through the Bookshelf online reader and mobile applications employs DRM protection
• Files can only be opened in Bookshelf
• In the Bookshelf® mobile and desktop apps, readers can now see in the Book Details panel a visual indicator showing their sideloaded content is DRM-free. Sideloaded eBooks have no limits on downloading or copying.

Image Descriptions

• If alt text image descriptions have been added to a file and the reader is utilizing a screen reader software, the alt text will be displayed in line with the text
• We encourage all of our publishers to supply alt tags and long descriptions on content when possible to ensure our images (excluding book covers) adhere to WCAG AA
• Transcripts and alt text for video and audio content can be made available, where provided by the publisher

Keyboard Shortcuts

• VitalSource Bookshelf Online is browser-based and will work with supported keyboard shortcuts. Learn about various quick keys here: mobile, Mac, and Windows

Magnification

• Magnify content in the platform up to 300%
• Choose from three different margin sizes
• Pick from three line height options

Navigation

• Bookshelf supports navigational tagging (heading levels, hyperlinks) and reading order, where supplied by the publisher
• VitalSource will begin badging books on their accessibility features in our online store, allowing users to make informed decisions before purchasing
• Where page numbers are available, we will expose them in both the margins and contents page

Reading Options

• PDF and EPUB files can be read in Bookshelf
• Both file types can be read with a screen reader such as, but not limited to, JAWS and NVDA
• Readers can resize text using our content controls located at the bottom of the screen or change the zoom percentage of the entire page
• Readers can select from various fonts available, including OpenDyslexic
• We support VoiceOver and TalkBack screen readers for iOS and Android, respectively

Screen Readers

Bookshelf is compatible with:

• JAWS
• NVDA
• SuperNova
• Plus more

Read Aloud

• Bookshelf Online and the native apps have a built-in text-to-speech function
• Rewind, play, pause, and fast-forward
• The text being read is highlighted on the page
• Both PDF and EPUB file formats can be read