As accessibility becomes increasingly central to publishing strategies in Europe and worldwide, the need for shared methodologies and continuous learning is crucial. In this perspective the APACE Accessibility Guidelines have been conceived. The documents provide concrete recommendations, examples, and methodologies aimed at integrating accessibility principles into organisational strategies, production workflows, distribution practices, and readers’ experiences.

Beyond their technical value, the Accessibility Guidelines serve as instruments for capacity building, helping the publishing ecosystem respond effectively to the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and to the growing demand for accessible cultural content. By offering a common framework, they facilitate collaboration among diverse actors and contribute to the sustainability and long-term impact of accessible publishing in Europe.

The Guidelines

3 sets of Guidelines are available on the European Accessibility Directory:

• Guidelines for adopting accessibility as a core element of an organization. Developed by Fondazione LIA, these Guidelines aim to support publishers and other stakeholders in aligning their practices with the requirements of the EAA. They outline practical steps to embed accessibility from editorial planning and production to distribution, communication, and staff training thus fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative publishing ecosystem.
• Guidelines for reading accessible e-books. The document, developed by Stichtig Dedicon, provide user-friendly information for persons with print disabilities on how to find, access, and enjoy Born Accessible publications using different devices, formats, and reading applications. The document explains the growing importance of accessible e-books in the digital age and how the EAA is increasing their availability across Europe.
• Guidelines on Accessibility Metadata. The document, developed under the coordination of Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels and Fondazione LIA, provides a comprehensive framework for integrating accessibility metadata into the core strategies and workflows of publishing companies and digital distribution systems. It equips all actors involved in creating, distributing, and presenting digital publications with concrete recommendations for implementing and displaying accessibility metadata.

Translation and licence information

To ensure wide dissemination and usability across Europe, the Accessibility Guidelines will be made available in multiple national languages. Organisations or stakeholders interested in translating or adapting the material are invited to contact the APACE team at apace@fondazionelia.org for further guidance and coordination.

All versions are released under a Creative Commons Attribution –NonCommercial – NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence. This means they can be freely shared and distributed, provided that proper credit is given to the authors and the APACE project, they are not used for commercial purposes, and no modifications or derivative works are made. They will be made publicly available through the European Accessibility Directory website, ensuring long-term access and visibility for all stakeholders involved in accessible publishing.