When we think about accessibility in publishing, our minds often go to the book itself: large print editions, audiobooks or EPUBs with accessibility features.
But there’s another piece of the puzzle that’s just as important: metadata.
Accessibility metadata helps readers understand whether a book meets their needs before they download or purchase it. It can indicate whether an ebook supports screen readers, includes alternative text for images, offers adjustable text or has features that make it easier to navigate.
Without this information, readers with accessibility requirements are often left guessing.
As digital discovery becomes the primary way readers find books, accessibility metadata is now essential. It enables booksellers and search platforms to surface titles that meet specific accessibility needs, making it easier to discover for the people it’s intended to serve.
For publishers, the benefits extend beyond discoverability. Accurate metadata improves the reader experience, supports industry standards and demonstrates a commitment to inclusive publishing. It also helps retailers and platforms present accessibility information clearly, allowing readers to make informed choices about the books they want to purchase.
Accessibility is about more than creating accessible content, it's about making that content findable. A fully accessible ebook has limited impact if readers can’t find it among thousands of search results.
As industry expectations continue to evolve, accessibility metadata is becoming an increasingly important part of the publishing workflow. Publishers who invest in good metadata are helping ensure that every reader has the opportunity to find books they can enjoy.
Accessibility is built into every Supadu website from the ground up.
Semantic markup, keyboard navigation, responsive layouts, clear content structure and accessibility best practices help create websites that are easier to use, easier to find and easier to maintain.
Email us for our Accessibility Guide.
