The Critical Role of Born-Accessible Content in Academic Publishing 

Picture a doctoral student with low vision trying to make sense of a crucial research paper. The screen reader stumbles over poorly formatted equations. Data visualizations lack meaningful descriptions. The student’s research grinds to a halt–not because they can’t understand the content, but because they can’t access it. New inclusive publishing partner Cactus Communications highlights the importance of a born accessible approach for academic research.

This scenario plays out daily in academia where our industry has rushed to embrace digital publishing but left behind accessibility. Research papers shouldn’t just be accessible to those who can see them on a screen or print out a pdf. Every equation, every graph, every insight should be available to everyone who needs it. 

Academic publishing poses a significant accessibility challenge. Research papers–some of the most valuable content produced by humanity–remain frustratingly out of reach to many readers. At Cactus Communications we’re working to change that by tackling the issues head-on. 

When researchers pour months or years into their work, they want it to reach everyone who might benefit from it. But very often, making content accessible has been an afterthought–a retrofitting process that often falls short of desired standards instead of being born accessible. Academic researchers need to make their content accessible from the start? We have been focusing on specializing in the details that make research accessible to everyone by creating editing and writing tools that promote accessibility from the very beginning of publishing workflows. 

It goes without saying that accessible publishing is good publishing and it’s not just about checking boxes for compliance. For example: when an author includes proper alternative text for their graphs, they’re not just making their work accessible – they’re often improving it. The process of describing visual elements clearly and concisely can reveal gaps in explanation or highlight important patterns or context that might benefit all readers. 

We’ve seen first hand how challenging this transition can be for authors. Creating accessible content requires new skills and considerations. Mathematical equations need careful formatting to work with screen readers. Complex diagrams need thoughtful alternative text that captures their meaning without overwhelming the reader. Tables need proper structure and headers to be navigable. But these challenges are surmountable. With the right support and tools, researchers can create born-accessible content without significantly disrupting their writing process.  Once consideration for accessibility is built into a workflow it can become second nature. 

When research is truly accessible, it travels further

The impact extends far beyond individual readers. It reaches researchers with disabilities, students using assistive technologies, and professionals accessing content in various environments. It sparks collaborations that might otherwise never happen. In short, it builds a more inclusive academic community. 

We’re seeing progress. More researchers are embracing accessible publishing practices. More publishers are prioritizing accessibility from the start. But there’s still work to be done. The future of academic publishing must be inclusive – not because regulations demand it, but because it’s the right thing to do. 

For us at Cactus Communications, it’s about transforming academic publishing into a means of sharing knowledge that truly works for everyone. When researchers create born-accessible content, they’re not just following best practices. They’re ensuring their work can reach every interested mind, regardless of how those minds need to access it. 

The path to accessible academic publishing isn’t complicated, but it does require intention and support.

Our thanks to Nikesh Gosalia at Cactus Communications for highlighting the challenges of academic publishing.