1. Accessible reading for all – the power of a shared vision How Axiell Media and MTM work together to drive sustainable change
Eva Houltzén, CEO, Axiell Media
Anne Stigell, Senior Advisor, Swedish Agency for Accessible Media (MTM)
The Marrakesh Treaty in Action: Implementing the Treaty and More Ideas for Accessible Digital Reading
Seminar at Oodi Library, Helsinki, March 12, 2019

2. Innovating for tomorrow’s digital media
AXIELL MEDIA VISION Make digital reading accessible and sustainable for all. AXIELL MEDIA MISSION To provide a seamless reading experience, and help our customers profit from digital transformation.

3. Accessibility through the value chain?
Production
Publishing
Distribution
Consumtion & use
publishers
40 + retail shops
350 + libraries
digital books
Global Axiell presence
55 markets

4. Driving change – the example biblio
The app Biblio (2017) has changed patron behaviour
In 12 months audio book loans rised by 100%
Audio books now stand for 30% of all digital book loans in Sweden
The app has active users

5. launch in finland 2019
National supplier of e-lending platform & media (KL- Kuntahankinnat Oy)
Close to titles in Finnish in the catalogue, growing every day.

6. MTM Future Strategy Market Collaboration to Enhance Accessibility –
MTM and Axiell Media Cooperation
The Marrakesh Treaty in Action
Helsinki March 12, 2019
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

7. A society where all media is accessible
Swedish Agency for Accessible Media (MTM) – Vision and Focus
A society where all media is accessible
MTM gives people with print impairment access to the media they want in the format they need
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

8. Accessible reading – a human right
International and national laws and regulation
Schools and education
Library services
Implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in European Law
access to print works in formats adapted for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled
Usage and cross-border exchange
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

9. 2016 – “MTM Direkt”
A joint agreement between MTM and Axiell Media to promote a more efficient production model
Publishers deliver book files via Axiell Media to MTM to be used as a basis to produce accessible books (Braille, audio)
More efficient and quicker production
Improved quality of files
With respect to a new media subsidy
MTM text based information
MPRT: moving images/film/tv based imformation
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

10. 2018 – MTM’s Future Strategy
User Perspective
Needs, expectations, development
Promote market involvement in accessible products and services
Market analysis of the commercial market
Reduced dissimilarities between commercial and accessible products and services
Outreaching activities
MTM organisation
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

11. European Accessibility Act
E-books, E-book readers and E-commerce
The Marrakesh Treaty in Action
Helsinki March 12, 2019
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

12. First EU legislation with requirements for private sector
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Web Accessibility Directive (EU)
Public Procurement Directive (EU)
Similar to other legislation (product safety and medical devices directives
New products and services
All services and products offered (For e-books e.g. publishers or companies involved in distribution)
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

13. ICT consumer products and services
General purpose ICT consumer products – computers, smartphones, tablets
Electronic communication services (internet access, telephone access, emergency communication)
Consumer banking services and terminals
Public transport services and terminals
E-commerce
E-books and e-readers
Smart-TV’s and set-top-boxes. Services to access AV media services
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

14. EAA – Definition of e-book (service) and e-reader (product)
(25) "e-book and dedicated software" means a service, consisting of the provision of digital files that convey an electronic version of a book, that can be accessed, navigated, read and used and the software including mobile applications dedicated to the accessing, navigation, reading and use of those digital files. It shall not include software covered under definition 25a(new); (25a) "e-reader" means dedicated equipment, including both hardware and software, used to access, navigate, read and use e-book files;
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

15. Specific requirements for e-books
Synchronization of text and audio
E-book files shall not interfere with assistive technology
Ensure that content, navigation of file content and layout, provision of structure, flexibility and choice in presentation of content
Metadata so that they can be discovered – in order for users to be able to search for accessible e-books
Digital Rights Management (DRM) shall not block accessibility features
Mar 12, 2019
Helsinki Conference 2019

16. Market Collaboration to Enhance Accessibility - pilots
MTM & Axiell Media pilots
Accessibility in subscription services Biblio
Accessible (enough) e-book Selected publishers, Axiell Media

17. Accessibility test biblio
Axesslab performed Reading System Evaluation on Biblio app
45 test items in 6 categories (epubtest.org/ testsuite)
Low hanging fruits:
Navigation support
Read aloud

18. Accessibility test biblio
Axesslab user test
Print impairments
Low hanging fruits:
Separation of elements
Focus elements in interactiondesign, for ex placing search

19. Text to speech in biblio web
From March as a complementary service to Biblio Web through Readspekaer partnership
Read aloud of content & highlighted text
Swedish, Finnish, English, Arabic as a start

20. Ace validation test Ace in Axiell Media publishing process
Accessibility checking tool, Ace by DAISY, to evaluate conformance to the EPUB Accessibility Specification.
Publishers will get feedback on every file
Publisher can disregard, optimize the file or ask Axiell Media to optimize the file.

21. How can the Library take part?
Tender requirements
Promote standards
Active users and active partners
Development roadmap
Publisher interaction
Ask & Let us know…

22. Thank you. Anne Stigell anne. stigell@mtm. se www. mtm
Thank you! Anne Stigell Eva houltzén
The Marrakesh Treaty in Action: Implementing the Treaty and More Ideas for Accessible Digital Reading
Seminar at Oodi Library, Helsinki, March 12, 2019