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XML conversion and accessibility

Why accessibility?

Not only is it good business sense to ensure content accessibility for all users, it is now a legal requirement in many countries. In the USA, accessibility is mandated by legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act (IMAA). In the UK and Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act can be (and has been) invoked.

Why XML?

XML and its complementary technologies can facilitate accessibility because they enable:

  • Flexibility. A single XML document can include mark-up that differentiates content optimized for users with specific needs
  • Single-source publishing. Via stylesheets, a single well marked-up XML document can leverage the accessibility capabilities of multiple output devices e.g. large print and Braille versions for paper output, descriptive annotations for images to be read aloud by screen readers, etc.
  • Publish on-demand. Any content properly marked-up and stored as XML is immediately available to any output device. Individual readers can request up-to-date material that meets their accessibility requirements.
  • Extensibility. The investment you make in accessibility via XML will never lose value - it is an open standard, and can be extended or transformed to support new requirements with minimum cost and effort.

Several initiatives have produced XML-based specifications and standards that enable document navigation for people who are unable to use traditional methods. For example, the Digital Audio-based Information System (DAISY) for Digital Talking Books, and the Open eBook Publication Structure.

The Challenges of Converting to XML

Most materials are produced using a variety of tools and formats (e.g. word processors, desktop publishing applications, etc.), from both modern and legacy applications. For content producers and suppliers, the accessibility issue often starts with the need to convert volumes of disparate source materials from their original proprietary formats into robust, accurate, transformable XML.

Until now, XML conversion has had to be either outsourced or undertaken in-house, either manually, or via scripting software.

But when content is tagged by hand, either in-house or by a third party, it's easy to introduce errors into the conversion process. Significant post-conversion review and editing will generally be required before you can use your XML. Manual conversion is also extremely resource-intensive and can involve a lengthy turnaround time.

Scripting solutions fare no better, and rely on rigid conformance to formatting styles in the original word processor document. However, human authors generally do not create documents in such a consistent manner, and low-quality XML output can result. Scripting software can also involve costly and lengthy custom programming for each type of document, and for each proprietary application that is used to create those documents.

Exegenix delivers cost-effective XML conversion solutions that enable accessibility. We can offer expertise and assistance encompassing all content types, and our standard output is easily transformed to DAISY, to OEB, or to whichever DTD you have determined is right for your material and your audiences.

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