[Athen] [EXTERNAL *] Re: Accessible APA Publication Manual

[Susan Kelmer via athen-list]

I may sound like a broken record, but Bookshare files are of questionable quality in most circumstances, with a vast array of missing information and a lack of formatting that is normally expected as a standard in an accessible file.

I have been saying this for literally years.  I’ve had discussions with Bookshare personnel in different areas of the organization and it is always the same, “we don’t really have anything to do with that, you will have to talk to someone else,” or some various versions of “this is what the publisher sent us.”  Any of us who work in this field know that there are much better quality materials from publishers directly than we are seeing in Bookshare versions, aka, it would be preferable if the publisher would just give us their PDF files.  At least everything starts out in the right place there. And from there, I can create a fully accessible Word or HTML document with all elements included, formatted properly for all types of readers in just a few hours.

Bookshare files are woefully inadequate for most academic uses.  It’s fine if you just want to hear a popular novel or something, but for something like this, it needs a massive amount of remediation to become the document it should have been when it was first produced as “born accessible” by Bookshare.

Susan Kelmer
Alternate Format Production Program Manager
Disability Services
Health and Wellness Services
T 303 735 4836
www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices<http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices>


[cid:image001.png at 01DBF0EB.0AB27550]

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From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Mark Weiler via athen-list
Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 3:04 PM
To: kerscher at montana.com; Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>; 'Ho, Joyce Y - (joyceho)' <joyceho at arizona.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] [EXTERNAL *] Re: Accessible APA Publication Manual

[External email - use caution]

When I compare the version available through CELA, which I understand comes through Bookshare, and the EPUB from APA directly, I observe significant differences in quality.  CELA has missing figures, no links, and lists that seem to use asterisks.  I base my observation on a spot check with JAWS.

I wonder if the one through CELA is actually different than the one through Bookshare? George, can you confirm that in the version from Bookshare, before section 5.2, there is a properly bulleted list that starts with “When writing about age, exact ages or age ranges…”.  In the one through CELA, this is a clip of the speech history with JAWS. Notice how it incorrectly starts with an asterisk:

* When writing about age, exact ages or age ranges (e.g., 15-18 years old, 65-80 years old) are more specific than broad categories (e.g., under 18 years
old, over 65 years old; see Section 5.3).

This image shows the corresponding section in the EPUB from CELA.
[Described above.]

This second image is from the same section  in a EPUB directly from APA.  Notice it uses a bullet and also has a hyperlink.

[Described above]

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of via athen-list
Sent: July 9, 2025 3:38 PM
To: 'Ho, Joyce Y - (joyceho)' <joyceho at arizona.edu<mailto:joyceho at arizona.edu>>; 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: [EXTERNAL *] Re: [Athen] Accessible APA Publication Manual

Hello, It is in Bookshare, ISBN 9781433832185
Best
George


From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Ho, Joyce Y - (joyceho) via athen-list
Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 12:50 PM
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Accessible APA Publication Manual

Hello!

Would anyone happen to have an accessible copy of the following book:


  *   Title: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition
  *   Publisher: American Psychological Association
  *   ISBN: 978-1433832178

Thank you!
Joyce

Joyce Ho
Accessible Content and Media Coordinator
Disability Resource Center | The University of Arizona


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