Selecting the right reading apps for student success November 14, 2018

Summary An app or browser extension is needed to read EPUB titles, but they vary a lot in their functionality. When it comes to learners with disabilities, which apps will enable them to excel at their studies? This session presents an initiative that aims to answer that question.

Introducing your panel of speakers George Kerscher Amy Salmon Erin Kirchner-Lucas Richard Orme

Overview Introduction to reading apps Evaluation methodology A crowd of testers Developer’s perspectives How are the results useful to you?

Introduction to reading apps you need an app to read EPUBs lots of choice (except when there isn’t) vendor, generic and specialist apps native and web based apps study aids sideloading publications accessible app + accessible content + AT

Evaluation methodology tests developed by and with people with reading disabilities consideration of various aspects that are important to different people tests are publicly available conducted with reference titles detailed results are published online

Parts of the evaluation Basic functionality Non visual reading Visual adjustments Read aloud Optional advanced tests

A crowd of testers Launched in early 2018 60+ testers around the world Supported with getting started Evaluation guides Evaluation review We’d love you and/or your students to join!

The results online the summary table and detailed results www.epubtest.org/testsuite/accessibility

Developer’s perspectives Comments from Dolphin, Redshelf and Vitalsource

Results for you strengths and weaknesses of different apps comments provide useful information regularly updated round up of latest results Don’t be driven by the final score, look at the most important areas for your students Consider using the reading apps round up as a starting point

Practical applications Advising an individual student A university choosing a platform provider

Take aways Apps have different levels of accessibility provisions A test framework exists and has been extensively used by a large team of crowd source volunteers The results can help you and your learners choose, and the app developers are improving continuously

Thanks for your attention Questions and discussion