Identifying trends in Accessible Content Processing Neil McKenzie, FNB (Dutch Library for the Blind), Amsterdam

Introduction Who we are What we do Concepts EUAIN Project Outcomes

International Projects, FNB Who we are Focus on accessibility as communication of information. Focuses on processes and workflows, and the interfacing of several different requirements.

Concepts: Accessibility Core Idea: Extra Effort required to communicate information to niche user markets Implementations: From small plugins and programs to full operating systems and everything in between. Key Problems: when accessible solutions are implemented as add-ons and specialist software, constant problems will be caused by Operating System updates and changes in software standards. Solution: Moving towards more integrated software, preaching accessible information processing and design for all methodologies, working on policy, legislation and best practice.

Concepts: Content Perceiving Content: Receiving enough content and information about content(metadata) to attach a useful meaning to the content. Useful Meaning: Based on the context and the knowledge brought to the perception of the information a meaning is associated with the content. Information about Content: The surrounding information associated with content is essential to accessibility. This can range from information such as the title, to information on how to present the minute details in a tactile drawing. Accessing Content: Intuitive solutions to access content in formats suitable for every user’s needs.

Concepts: Accessible Content User Interaction: Reduced extra effort, enhanced interaction for user with content. Useful meaning: Context of Information improved, enhanced meaning, greater perception. Convergence: More Integrated systems, specialised and general approaches brought together. Research: Integrated solutions, greater user interaction, better methodologies, new standards.

Concepts: Design for All Solutions for everyone including the mainstream. Emphasis on adaptability for the mainstream rather than deterioration for the niche market. There is no mainstream - just many niche’s(44% of users use some type of Accessibility technology with their computer) Let User Requirements be pulled from what is available rather than pushing one interfacing method on a user. Building Accessibility into the Production chain earlier. More robust implementations will enhance overall product for everyone.

Concepts: Accessibility from Scratch Philosophical implementation of the Design For All approach. Requires looking at the bigger picture and seeing that Accessibility is about communication and not about blind people. Building Accessibility at source on generic foundations. Embracing Standards Facilitating reuse in order to meet several current and future sets of user needs.

The EUAIN Project To bring together all the players in the information provision and e-publishing chain in order to enhance the provision of accessible information at a European level To create a self-sustaining network which can offer the necessary expertise, shared knowledge, technological tools and distribution platforms to all those involved in the provision of accessible information. To raise awareness and stimulate the adoption at local, regional, national and European levels of the emerging formats and standards for the provision of accessible information and to find ways of ensuring that technological protection measures do not inadvertently impede legitimate access to information To stimulate and support the adoption of new distribution channels and appropriate business solutions in order to help achieve faster, prompter and less expensive production and distribution of accessible information

What we’ve achieved so far… Meetings, Conferences, Online Collaboration State of the Art reports EUAIN Demonstrator software Training Materials Standardisation activities

State of the Art reports Overview of Procedures and Tools for Accessible Information Processing Standards for Accessible Information Processing Accessing and Protecting Content All available from

EUAIN demonstrator Software Core Idea: To provide a proof of concept for a multi modal document conversion workflow. User needs Addressed: Stepping stone between the requirements of industry and the requirements of specialist organisations. Key Issues addressed: Publisher workflow requirements, Accessible format requirements. Legacy: Opensource software

Training Materials: EUAIN wiki Training Materials for EUAIN Interactively created by representatives of stakeholders in Accessible Information processing. Expected to have a lifespan beyond that of the project. Available at

Standardisation Activities Standardisation is becoming an increasingly important area for accessible information processing. Applying existing standards (eg DAISY/NISO, XML, NIMAS, eLearning, etc Emerging standards (eg MPEG4/7/21, RDF) Umbrella initiatives and guidelines such as Design 4 All, EC Copyright directive, Section 508, IDABC Open Document format, etc CEN/ISSS WS ADP

Summary Frameworks for content processing and management are required These frameworks can provide for many user requirements at both the input and output stages Accessibility is a pre-requisite for usability Accessibility as a Process not a product; The framework is more important than the format Pre-empt legislation and directives at national and European levels Improved interaction with customer base increases revenue and opens new markets

Thank You