ONIX Code Lists Issue 67, October 2024

List 196: E-publication Accessibility Details

Value Description Notes
00 Accessibility summary <ProductFormFeatureDescription> contains a short explanatory summary of the accessibility of the product, or the URL of a web page comprising such a summary, consistent with the more specific conformance, feature and certification details provided. The summary should note both the accessibility features provided and any potential deficiencies. The summary does not remove the requirement for full structured accessibility data, but should be considered a fall-back option if more structured detail cannot be provided or used. Further detailed information may be provided in an external file using codes 94–96. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
01 LIA Compliance Scheme
02 EPUB Accessibility Specification 1.0 A Conforms with the requirements of EPUB Accessibility Spec 1.0 and WCAG level A. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry a URL linking to a compliance report or certification provided by an independent third party certifier. In the absence of a URL, conformance with the requirements of the Accessibility Specification is self-certified by the publisher
03 EPUB Accessibility Specification 1.0 AA Conforms with the requirements of EPUB Accessibility Spec 1.0 and WCAG level AA. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry a URL linking to a compliance report or certification provided by an independent third party certifier. In the absence of a URL, conformance with the requirements of the Accessibility Specification is self-certified by the publisher
04 Epub Accessibility Specification 1.1 Conforms with the requirements of EPUB Accessibility Spec v1.1 – see https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-a11y-11/. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry a URL linking to a compliance report or certification provided by an independent third-party certifier. In the absence of a URL, conformance with the requirements of the Accessibility Specification is self- certified by the publisher. Use with other List 196 codes to indicate WCAG version and level, ARIA inclusion. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
05 PDF/UA-1 Conforms with the requirements of ISO 32000-1:2008 plus ISO 14289-1:2014 – Portable Document Format for Universal Accessibility, for example, all content is tagged in logical reading order and correctly represents the document’s semantic structure. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
06 PDF/UA-2 Conforms with the requirements of ISO 32000-2:2020 (PDF 2.0) plus ISO 14289-2:2024 – Portable Document Format for Universal Accessibility v2, for example, the revised semantic tagging, MathML, Unicode support and associated documents from PDF 2.0. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
08 Unknown accessibility Product has not yet been assessed for accessibility, or no or insufficient accessibility information is provided. It should be treated as likely to be inaccessible (and also may not have been checked for hazards). <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry details of why the accessibility of the title is unknown. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
09 Inaccessible, or known limited accessibility Known to lack significant features required for broad accessibility. Details of and reasons for limitations on accessibility can be given in <ProductFormFeatureDescription>. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
10 No reading system accessibility options actively disabled (except) No accessibility features or content rendering options offered by the reading system, device or reading software (including but not limited to the ability to modify or choose text size or typeface, word and line spacing, zoom level, text or background color, or use of text-to-speech) are limited, disabled, overridden or otherwise unusable with the product EXCEPT – in ONIX 3 messages only – those specifically noted as subject to restriction or prohibition in <EpubUsageConstraint>. Note that provision of any significant part of the textual content as images (ie as pictures of text, rather than as ‘text-as-text’, and without any textual equivalent) or the application of some technical protection measures (DRM), inevitably prevents full use of these accessibility options. Code 10 means ‘this e-publication is accessible to the full extent that the file format and types of content allow, on a specific reading device, by default, without necessarily inluding any additions such as textual descriptions of images or enhanced navigation. Note that for reflowable e-books, this means code 36 also applies, although code 10 can also be used with accessible non-reflowable (fixed-format) e-publications and with audio material. Should be used with other codes that describe any additions to enhance the level of accessibility
11 Table of contents navigation Table of contents allows direct (eg hyperlinked) access to all levels of text organization above individual paragraphs (ie to all chapters, sections and subsections that exist within the text), and to all tables, figures, illustrations etc (non-textual items such as illustrations, tables, audio or video content may be directly accessible from the Table of contents, or from a similar List of illustrations, List of tables, etc)
12 Index navigation Index provides direct (eg hyperlinked) access to uses of the index terms in the document body
13 Single logical reading order All or substantially all textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order (including text that is visually presented as separate from the main text flow, eg in boxouts, captions, tables, footnotes, endnotes, citations, etc). Non-textual content is also linked from within this logical reading order. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored). All or substantially all audio content should also have a single logical ‘reading order’, which is the order the content should be presented to the listener
14 Short alternative textual descriptions All or substantially all non-text content has short alternative (textual) descriptions, usually provided via alt attributes. Note this applies to normal images (eg photographs, charts and diagrams) and also to any embedded audio, video etc. Audio and video content should include alternative descriptions suitable for hearing-impaired as well as for visually-impaired readers. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored, but the accessibility of resources delivered via a network connection rather than as part of the e-publication package must be included)
15 Full alternative textual descriptions All or substantially all non-text content has full alternative (textual) descriptions. Note this applies to normal images (eg photographs, charts and diagrams) and also to any embedded audio, video etc. Audio and video content should include full alternative descriptions (eg audio-described video) and transcript, subtitles or captions (whether closed or open) suitable for hearing-impaired as well as for visually-impaired readers. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored, but the accessibility of resources delivered via a network connection rather than as part of the e-publication package must be included)
16 Visualised data also available as non-graphical data Where data visualisations are provided (eg graphs and charts), the underlying data is also available in non-graphical (usually tabular, textual) form
17 Accessible math content as MathML Mathematical content such as equations is usable with assistive technology, through use of MathML. Semantic MathML is preferred but Presentational MathML is acceptable
18 Accessible chemistry content as ChemML Chemistry content such as chemical formulae is usable with assistive technology, through use of ChemML
19 Print-equivalent page numbering For a reflowable e-publication, contains references to the page numbering of an equivalent printed product, page number navigation based on print-equivalent page numbers or digital-only static page breaks. Use <RelatedProduct> with relation code 13 to specify an identifier for the source of the page numbers
20 Synchronised pre-recorded audio Text-synchronised pre-recorded audio narration (natural or synthesised voice) is included for substantially all textual matter, including all alternative descriptions, eg via a SMIL media overlay
21 Text-to-speech hinting provided Text-to-speech has been optimised through provision of PLS lexicons, SSML or CSS Speech synthesis hints or other speech synthesis markup languages or hinting
22 Language tagging provided The language of the text has been specified (eg via the HTML or XML lang attribute) to optimise text-to-speech (and other alternative renderings), both at whole document level and, where appropriate, for individual words, phrases or passages in a different language
24 Dyslexia readability Specialised font, character and/or line spacing, justification and paragraph spacing, coloring and other options provided specifically to improve readability for dyslexic readers. Details, including the name of the font if relevant, should be listed in <ProductFormFeatureDescription>. Use with <EditionType> code HRE as appropriate
25 Use of color is not sole means of conveying information For readers with color vision deficiency, use of color (eg in diagrams, graphs and charts, in prompts or on buttons inviting a response) is not the sole means of graphical distinction or of conveying information. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
26 Use of high contrast between text and background color Body text is presented with a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (or 3:1 for large/heading text). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
27 Use of high contrast between foreground and background audio Foreground audio content (eg voice) is presented with no or low background noise (eg ambient sounds, music), at least 20dB below the level of the foreground, or background noise can be switched off (eg via an alternative audio track). Brief and occasional sound effects may be as loud as foreground voice so long as they are isolated from the foreground. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
28 Full alternative audio descriptions All or substantially all non-text content has full alternative descriptions as pre-recorded audio. Note this applies to normal images (eg photographs, charts and diagrams) and also to any embedded video etc. Video content should include full alternative descriptions (eg audio-described video) and transcript, subtitles or captions (whether closed or open) suitable for hearing-impaired as well as for visually-impaired readers. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored, but the accessibility of resources delivered via a network connection rather than as part of the e-publication package must be included). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
29 Next / Previous structural navigation All levels of heading and other structural elements of the content are correctly marked up and (if applicable) numbered, to enable fast next heading / previous heading, next chapter / previous chapter navigation without returning to the table of contents. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
30 ARIA roles provided Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) roles (including associated states and properties) are used to organize and improve the structural or landmark navigation of the publication (eg to identify key sections of the content and the purpose of hyperlinks). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
31 Accessible controls provided Where interactive content is included in the product, controls are provided (eg for speed, pause and resume, reset) and labelled to make their use clear. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
32 Landmark navigation E-publication includes basic landmark navigation (usually less detailed than TOC-based navigation). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
34 Accessible chemistry content (as MathML) Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
35 Accessible math content (as LaTeX) Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
36 All textual content can be modified E-publication does not restrict the ability of users to modify and reflow the display of any textual content to the full extent allowed by the reading system (eg to change the text size or typeface, line height and word spacing, colors). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later. Compare with code 10 which applies to a broader range of content types
37 Use of ultra-high contrast between text foreground and background Body text is presented with a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 (or 4.5:1 for large/heading text). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
38 Unusual words or abbreviations explained E-publication provides explanations for unusual words, abbreviations, acronyms, idioms, jargon in an accessible form, such as glossaries, scripted pop-ups. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
39 Supplementary material to an audiobook is accessible All supplementary visual or textual material necessary for understanding of an audiobook, is available as pre-recorded audio, or has full alternative text that can be read via text-to- speech. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
40 Link purposes clear Where links, controls or buttons are included in the product, the purpose or functionality of each link, control or button is apparent from the associated text alone – or where it is unclear, separate link, control or button descriptions are provided. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
51 All non-decorative content supports reading via pre-recorded audio All contents of the digital publication necessary to use and understanding, including any text, images (via alternative descriptions), video (via audio description) is fully accessible via suitable audio reproduction. The entire publication can be navigated and ‘read’ using only pre-recorded sound, and does not require visual or tactile perception. NB this implies that all <ProductContent> types listed can be accessed without sight. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
52 All non-decorative content supports reading without sight Sometimes termed ‘screen reader-friendly’, and fully supports multiple forms of non-visual reading. All contents of the digital publication necessary to use and understanding, including text, images (via their alternative descriptions), audio and video material (via their transcripts, descriptions, captions or subtitles) are fully accessible via suitable reading devices, for example text-to-speech screen readers or tactile reading devices (‘Braille displays’), and nothing in the digital publication prevents or blocks the use of alternative reading modes. The entire publication can be navigated and ‘read’ using only text rendered via sound or touch, and does not require visual perception. NB this implies that all <ProductContent> types listed can be accessed without sight. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
75 EAA exception 1 – Micro-enterprises Digital product falls under European Accessibility Act exception for Micro-enterprises (as defined by current regulations). The product may not have to comply with requirements of the EAA if the publisher is a micro-enterprise. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry details justifying the exception claim. Use for example with code 09. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
76 EAA exception 2 – Disproportionate burden Digital product falls under European Accessibility Act exception for Disproportionate burden (as defined by current regulations). The product may not have to comply with requirements of the EAA if doing so would financially overburden the publisher. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry details justifying the exception claim. Use for example with code 09. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
77 EAA exception 3 – Fundamental modification Digital product falls under European Accessibility Act exception for Fundamental modification (as defined by current regulations). The product may not have to comply with requirements of the EAA if doing so requires a fundamental modification of the nature of the product or service. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry details justifying the exception claim. Use for example with code 09. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
80 WCAG v2.0 Conforms with the requirements of WCAG version 2.0 – see https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry a URL linking to a compliance report or certification provided by an independent third-party certifier. In the absence of a URL, conformance with the requirements of the Specification is self-certified by the publisher. Should be used in combination with code 04. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
81 WCAG v2.1 Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
82 WCAG v2.2 Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
84 WCAG level A Conforms with the requirements of WCAG level A. <ProductFormFeatureDescription> may carry a URL linking to a compliance report or certification provided by an independent third-party certifier. In the absence of a URL, conformance with the requirements of the Specification is self-certified by the publisher. Should be used in combination with code 04. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
85 WCAG level AA Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
86 WCAG level AAA Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
90 Compliance certification by (name) <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the name of the organization responsible for compliance testing and certification of the product. See code 93 for the URL of the organization, which should also be provided. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
91 Latest accessibility assessment date <ProductFormFeatureDescription> contains a date in the YYYYMMDD format of the latest assessment or re-assessment of the accessibility of the product. (Note that changes to or re-confirmation of individual accessibility features, standards conformance or certification may be highlighted with a timestamp attribute on the relevant repeat of <ProductFormFeature>). Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
92 Accessibility addendum <ProductFormFeatureDescription> contains a short addendum to the accessibility detail of the product, or the URL of a web page comprising such an addendum, providing further details of the specific conformance and features derails provided. The addendum should be considered additional to the more structured data. A complete Accessibility summary (including information that is duplicated in the structured data) should be provided using code 00. Further detailed information may be provided in an external file using codes 94–96. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
93 Compliance certification by (URL) <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the URL of a web page belonging to an organization responsible for compliance testing and certification of the product – typically a ‘home page’ or a page describing the certification scheme itself. Only for use in ONIX 3.0 or later
94 Compliance web page for detailed accessibility information <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the URL of a web page giving further detailed description of the accessibility features, compatibility, testing, certification etc relevant to this product. The web page should be maintained by an independent compliance scheme or testing organization. Note the web page may include information about specific national requirements or voluntary conformance reports
95 Trusted intermediary’s web page for detailed accessibility information <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the URL of a web page giving further detailed description of the accessibility features, compatibility, testing etc relevant to this product. The web page should be provided by a trusted intermediary or third party nominated by the publisher. Note the web page can include information about specific national requirements or voluntary conformance reports
96 Publisher’s web page for detailed accessibility information <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the URL of a web page giving further detailed description of the accessibility features, compatibility, testing etc relevant to this product. The web page should be provided by the publisher. Note the web page can include information about specific national requirements or voluntary conformance reports
97 Compatibility tested <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the URL of a web page giving a short description of compatibility testing carried out for this product, including detailed compatibility with various assistive technology such as third-party screen-reading software. See also code 00 for a summary of the accessibility features of the product itself
98 Trusted Intermediary contact <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the e-mail address for a contact at a ‘trusted intermediary’, to whom detailed questions about accessibility for this product may be directed
99 Publisher contact for further accessibility information <ProductFormFeatureDescription> carries the e-mail address for a contact at the publisher to whom detailed questions about accessibility of this product may be directed