We are now just two months away from the European Accessibility Act coming into force and there are still many questions when it comes to images and accessibility. Indeed, according to the survey on the state of the art of accessible publishing in Europe (October 2024), one of the most difficult challenges for publishers is the alternative description of images. Or rather, how to make this feature, mandatory according to the new European standards defined by the EAA, qualitatively satisfactory for users.

The world of images is very diverse and making complex images accessible requires specific knowledge, both editorially and in terms of content. This topic, already addressed by the APACE project at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025, will also be the focus of the next “Ask the Expert“.

Each “Ask the Expert” is a one-hour webinar that allows participants to learn more about a specific topic and ask questions to the experts involved. In the registration form, participants are invited to submit questions related to the subject of the event in advance.

ASK THE EXPERT: THE NEXT EVENT

IMAGES AND ACCESSIBILITY

May 20th, 2pm CET

Zoom webinar

How should complex images and data visualizations be handled? What are the best practices when it comes to the use of colour and contrast? When is it appropriate to use an alt-text, and when are extended descriptions necessary? These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions around images.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the topic and ask questions to Kirsi Ylänne, Accessibility Specialist at the Celia Accessibility Library. Drawing on her experience and results from the APACE pilot project, a collaboration between Celia and Helsinki University Press that explored the challenges of complex images, Kirsi Ylänne will share practical tips and best practices for creating accessible images and descriptions.

The event will be hosted by Katie Durand (Fédération des Aveugles et Amblyopes de France).

Register to the webinar here

Save the date! Next APACE Events

• June 3rd, 2025: Ask the Expert about EPUB Fixed Layout with Gregorio Pellegrino, Chief Accessibility Officer at Fondazione LIA

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About the project

APACE (Accelerating Publishing Accessibility through Collaboration in Europe) is a medium-scale cooperation project co-funded in the framework of the Creative Europe programme for a duration of 24 months (January 2024 – December 2025). More information about the APACE project, upcoming events and the recordings of previous Ask the Expert can be found on the European Accessibility Directory.