JISC TechDis have worked with The Publishers Association to create an accessibility steering group consisting of representatives from several major academic publishers and the RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind People).
This has proved a very fruitful relationship and by working with (and within) the industry, has encouraged an open and proactive response to accessibility issues.
Currently JISC TechDis are working with The Publishers Association on two fronts –
By doing this, we hope to create a market value (and market exposure) in good accessibility practice. The latest update from the publishers is that there are now approximately 1500 titles being released in alternative format for the Christmas book buying market. This highlights the value of our ongoing collaboration with the RNIB, The Publishers Association and the Right to Read Campaign, without which commercial awareness would be much lower. The availability of a book in electronic format results in many accessibility benefits. The latest offering from
Bloomsbury
, the long awaited final book in the Harry Potter series, became the first major title to be made immediately available in electronic format. This is being seen by all as a huge leap forward but there is much yet to do. The value of JISC TechDis working directly with The Publishers Association is that our pragmatic, collaborative approach has helped to draw the industry into identifying and disseminating its own best practice; a process we are integrally involved in.
Following on from the work with publishers, JISC TechDis has developed significant links with Library and Learning Resources bodies (such as SCONUL, CLAUD, Open Rose and ALIS) and are now present at major events. JISC TechDis are currently planning and trialling the delivery of staff development materials for Library and Learning Resources staff.
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