Making Children's Picture Books Accessible: The Ups and Downs of E-Books

Hey there,

In our tech-savvy world, it's important to ensure everyone can enjoy books, especially kiddos with visual impairments.

E-books have been a game-changer, especially for kids with partial sight issues. You can zoom in and make the text larger, which makes reading more fun and educational. But hang on, there are a few hiccups for kids with no vision.

Why E-Books are great for Partial Sight Kiddos.

If you're a young reader with partial sight, e-books are like your superhero sidekick. You can make the text as big as you want with a pinch and zoom. Magic! This feature makes reading a breeze.

The Challenges for Screenreaders and No Vision Readers

But here's the twist for kids with no vision. E-books aren't always their best pals. The problem comes down to screenreading software. These tools are vital for visually impaired folks because they turn text into speech, making it accessible through audio.

However, e-books can't handle illustrations as well as traditional picture books. In the paper versions, pictures are woven into the story, adding to the fun. E-books, though, sometimes leave screenreaders puzzled because they can't fully grasp the digital pictures.

My Own E-Book Adventure

I know the struggle firsthand. When my books were in PDF format, my screenreader did its job perfectly. But the moment those books went through the e-book process and landed on different online shops, my screenreader started acting up. Suddenly, it couldn't read the text out loud, leaving no-vision readers in the dark.

My team and I tried changing fonts and removing confusing patterns, but no luck. If you've got tips to make our picture book manuscript accessible even after going through the Kindle Creator or other ebook creators, do drop me an email at pen@picturethebook.com. I’m eager to learn and would be ever grateful.

On the bright side, assistive technology and publishing are evolving, and I look forward to when picture books can easily be made accessible for blind kids. After all, every kid deserves a chance to experience the joy of e-book storytelling, no matter their visual abilities.

Till my next post,

Sherri Eri

 

P.S. Check out my ebooks.

P.P.S. Got tips on how to make my ebooks screenreader-friendly? Email me! 

Sherri Eri is a Singapore-based children’s author and founder of Picture the Book. She writes inclusive picture books and audiobooks shaped by rhythm and carefully chosen words — so children can follow the story even if they can’t see the illustrations.