The APACE network aims to enhance the capacity of the European publishing industry in the accessibility field, filling the current gap of competences and creating a new generation of professional experts. In order to uncover possible challenges and discuss possible solutions, it organizes a number of online and in person events. In September, it has launched a new event format: Ask the expert.

If you are a publishing professional or interested in learning more about accessibility, this type of event format is a unique opportunity to engage with experts in the accessibility field and ask them questions on specific topics. Each “Ask the Expert” event is a one-hour webinar, allowing participants to explore a specific topic in-depth and pose questions to the experts. During registration, participants are encouraged to submit in advance questions related to the event topic.

Ask the expert in December

Accessibility in digital lending platforms for all public and university libraries

December 17th, 11 a.m CEST

Zoom Webinar

In a fully accessible digital publishing ecosystem, lending platforms play a key role as they allow users to lend e-books through a mainstream library system in collaboration with publishers. To achieve full accessibility, every player of the digital publishing ecosystem has to play its role, including lending platforms that can play a vital role in this process. These platforms enable users to access and borrow accessible e-books produced by publishers, creating an integrated system within mainstream libraries. This approach ensures that digital lending is inclusive and widely available.

Francesco Pandini, who serves as the Project Manager and Training Manager at MLOL (MediaLibraryOnLine), Italy’s pioneering network of public, academic, and school libraries focused on digital lending, will be available to address participants’ questions. This session provides a unique opportunity to gain insights and deepen understanding of the accessibility landscape within digital lending platforms and how they can better serve all library patrons.

Katie Durand (Accessibility expert at the Fédération des Aveugles et Amblyopes de France) moderates the webinar.

The number of participants is limited, don’t miss this opportunity: register to the webinar here.

Next APACE Ask the Expert sessions

•    January 2025
•    April/May 2025
•    November 2025

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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).