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Re: accessibility of InDesign for ebook creation

for

From: Chagnon | PubCom
Date: Sep 28, 2012 8:56PM

Unfortunately, yes, graphic designers have to build in accessibility from
the start. It's not something that's added into the layout file but instead
a series of techniques and steps that will create an accessible PDF when
it's exported from the InDesign layout.

Earlier this year I wrote a step-by-step tutorial for InDesign Magazine on
how to create accessible PDFs from InDesign. If you know any InDesign users,
pass along this URL:
http://www.indesignmag.com/View.asp/Id/O936-J192168013148-D842-A201202171638
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They can purchase that edition of the magazine alone, or subscribe to the
magazine (which I highly encourage for all InDesign users).

As with any tool, you need to learn how to use it correctly to get the best
end result. Although the 2 Adobe TV online videos are good, they cover only
the most elementary steps in the process (for example, my classes in
accessible InDesign are 3 days long). If a designer really wants to create
the most accessible PDF possible - or create not just accessible PDFs but
also eBooks/ePubs and exports to XML and other multi-channel technologies -
then a lot more needs to be learned.

- Bevi Chagnon

- PubCom.com - Trainers, Consultants, Designers, and Developers.
- Print, Web, Acrobat, XML, eBooks, and U.S. Federal Section 508
Accessibility.
- It's our 31st year!

-----Original Message-----
John said:
> Regarding InDesign, I don't have recent information, but I recall that
> the product also had the ability to create accessible digital
> documents and to be able to convert them into accessible PDFs. Again,
> the assumption is that the author/developer knows to add the necessary
> elements to make the document accessible.