EPUB 3.3 Recommendations Published, Work Begins on New Features

The Publishing Maintenance Working Group (PMWG) has announced the final update of the W3C Recommendation for EPUB® 3.3. Whilst no new features have been introduced the updates clarify some language and brings it in line with other related specifications.

Work continues on the next major revision and the Accessibility Task Force and the Fixed Layout (FXL) Accessibility Task Force will also continue their work. The FXL Accessibility Task Force is developing a techniques document which will include specific models and examples. Since FXL EPUBS cannot currently be deemed fully accessible, the group will incubate ways around this with new technology.

The Accessibility Task Force topics include moving from WCAG 2.0 to 2.1 or 2.2 as the base specification with a focus on the inclusion of metadata that will identify publisher contacts for accessibility issues. They will also be looking at ways to identify content by type so that readers will know if they can access an ebook’s content.

Congratulations to DAISY’s Matt Garrish, main editor; co-chairs Wendy Reid, Shinya Takami; co-editor and W3C staff contact Ivan Herman; and the entire Publishing Maintenance Working Group for this update.