Accessibility in Digital Publishing: Are You WCAG 2.2 and EPUB 3.3 Compliant? Industry Report | 2025

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March 19, 2025

Accessibility in Digital Publishing: Are You WCAG 2.2 and EPUB 3.3 Compliant? Industry Report | 2025

In 2025, academic and STM (Scientific, Technical, and Medical) publishers are facing a major shift in how content is created, managed, and distributed. With an increasing demand for structured, accessible, and multi-format content, publishers can no longer rely on traditional production methods. The industry-wide move toward XML-first workflowsis no longer just an advantage—it’s a necessity.

What’s New in WCAG 2.2 and EPUB 3.3?

WCAG 2.2: The Latest Accessibility Standards for Digital Content

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global benchmark for making digital content accessible. The WCAG 2.2 update introduces new success criteria that impact how publishers must format eBooks, digital journals, and online content.

Key WCAG 2.2 Updates for Publishers:

Focus Not Obscured – Ensuring interactive elements (like links and buttons) remain visible when navigating via keyboard.

Dragging Movements – Avoiding content that requires dragging gestures, which can be challenging for readers with motor impairments.

Consistent Help – Providing persistent and easy-to-access navigation, search, and help options in digital books.

EPUB 3.3: The Industry Standard for Accessible eBooks

The EPUB 3.3 specification, released by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), aligns with WCAG 2.2 and ensures that eBooks are readable on all assistive technologies.

What’s Changed in EPUB 3.3?

Better Semantic Markup – Stronger HTML5 structure for screen readers to interpret content accurately.

Improved Metadata Standards – Standardized metadata ensures books are discoverable and correctly categorized.

Enhanced Navigation – Better table of contents (TOC), landmarks, and page numbering for seamless reader experience.

Why Accessibility Compliance Matters for Publishers

Legal Risks & Compliance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and European Accessibility Act now enforce stricter accessibility laws for digital publications.
Major lawsuits have already been filed against publishers failing to meet WCAG compliance.

Expanded Audience & Market Reach

285 million people worldwide have visual impairments—accessible books open new markets.
Government and academic institutions prioritize accessible content for procurement.

Improved SEO & Discoverability

Semantic HTML and metadata tagging improve rankings on Google, Crossref, and library databases.
Enhanced searchability and indexing lead to increased readership.

How Publishers Can Ensure WCAG 2.2 & EPUB 3.3 Compliance

Implement Alt-Text for Images – Descriptive alt-text for figures, charts, and illustrations enhances screen-reader accessibility.

Use Semantic Markup – Proper heading structures, lists, and navigation landmarks improve readability.

Add Read-Aloud and Multimedia Features – Sync text with audio narration for visually impaired users.

Validate with Accessibility Testing Tools – Tools like Ace by DAISY, EPUBCheck, and WAVE ensure compliance before publication.

Partner with Experts to Make Your Content Fully Accessible

At Cameo Publishing Services, we specialize in:

✔ EPUB 3.3 & WCAG-Compliant eBook Conversion
✔ Alt-Text & Semantic Markup Implementation
✔ Accessibility Audits for eBooks & Journals
✔ Interactive & Multimedia eBook Development

Contact us today to ensure your publications meet the latest accessibility standards and reach a broader audience!

Stay ahead in digital publishing—make accessibility a priority in 2025!