Accessibility

Our accessibility features are created to suit all learning styles and individual needs. We are always evolving our app and adding new features to make learning more effective.

Following internal and external audits, the BibliU Platform is partially compliant with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard. Most user journeys and reading interfaces meet or exceed AA requirements. Our full accessibility statement, including the limitations we know about, is at bibliu.com/legal/accessibility.

If you have any questions or accessibility issues while using our product, please get in touch through our dedicated accessibility inbox accessibility@bibliu.com.

Keyboard Commands

The BibliU library is designed to be easily navigable using keyboard commands when you are viewing content on a desktop or laptop:

• The up and down arrow keys on your keyboard will enable you to scroll up and down the page
• Using the tab key and left and right arrow keys, you are able to direct the cursor to different books on the page 
• When the cursor is over an image on the page within a book, pressing the enter key will select it
• Pressing enter when a book is highlighted (grey halo around title), pressing Enter will open it
• When viewing a text, using the tab key will enable you to navigate the body of the text
• Press F6 to move between the text and the contents panel, and F6 again to move back. On some Mac keyboards you may need to hold 'fn' as well
• The contents can be navigated using the up and down arrows, whilst the tab and enter keys enable you to select a chosen page in the text

Viewer Settings

• Adjust the text font and size to make reading more comfortable.
• Change the text, margins and background colours (such as adjusting contrast or background tones).
• "Reset to default" to easily revert any visual adjustments back to the book's original layout settings.

Please note, you can only adjust the text size and background with PDF files.

Returning to Home Page

The square icon in the top left-hand corner of the screen will re-direct you back to the library home page.

Text-to-Speech Software Compatibility

You can use external text-to-speech and screen reader software with BibliU. See the recommended pairings under Screen readers below. If DRM restrictions limit an external text-to-speech tool, you can request an accessible alternative format through your institution.

In-built Reading Features

There are also inbuilt text-to-speech and speed reading features in the reader view of the app. These are available in the mobile, web and desktop apps. You can find them in the menu which appears when a section of text is selected. Alternatively, highlight the text and right click to open the Reading Features. You can play, pause and reset a passage, and adjust the words-per-minute rate.

Read aloud settings

When you start Read Aloud, a control appears with the voice and speed options. Select the settings icon next to them to open Read aloud settings. Your choices are saved on that device and apply to every book you open. Turn 'Read image descriptions' on and Read Aloud announces images and reads their description before continuing. You will hear "Image" before each description, then the reading resumes. Publishers write these descriptions, so they are not available in every book yet. Where one has not been provided, that image is skipped so your reading stays uninterrupted.

Screen readers

BibliU is regularly tested with the following screen readers. For the most consistent experience, use the recommended pairing:

• JAWS with Chrome or Edge. Best performance with EPUB content; PDF navigation varies depending on publisher tagging
• NVDA with Firefox. Optimised for EPUB reflow
• VoiceOver with Safari on Mac. PDF table of contents navigation may vary based on publisher tagging
• VoiceOver with the BibliU iOS app
• ChromeVox with Chrome. Minor verbosity in long tables
• Microsoft Edge Read Aloud with Edge. Works best with reflowable EPUB content

If you use another tool and experience issues, please reach out so we can improve compatibility.

EPUB and PDF

Books reach us from publishers in two formats, and they behave differently:

• EPUB is reflowable. It works with screen readers, and you can zoom in without horizontal scrolling. You can also increase spacing and text size to reduce visual crowding
• PDF is fixed layout. It opens at full screen width, and you can zoom using Ctrl or Cmd with + and -, but horizontal scrolling may be required at high zoom levels

If a PDF does not include semantic tagging, or reads out of order, request the EPUB version where available or contact us to obtain an accessible alternate format.

Requesting an accessible or DRM-free copy

If a title is not adequately supported by our Platform, your learning provider can request an accessible, DRM-free or alternative-format version. They should email accessibility@bibliu.com. We liaise directly with the publisher, and fulfilment typically takes 3 to 5 business days depending on publisher turnaround.

We only ask for minimal information, such as the title required and confirmation of eligibility. We do not ask for medical information.

 

Contact for Support

BibliU is committed to making textbooks accessible to everyone. If you are having accessibility issues, please get in touch with accessibility@bibliu.com. If an alternate format file is required for accessibility needs, we will work with the publisher to deliver the best available option.