Accessible Publishing

Jim Russell

Enabling managers and organisations to implement successful PROJECTS and high-impact CHANGE through exceptional training, coaching, consultancy and facilitation services

RPM ASSOCIATES

Since 2006, I have been working within the UK and internationally with publishers, government, charitable organisations like the Royal National Library for Blind People and many others to make books and other published works more available to people with sight loss and print disabilities. This has been challenging work, bringing together many stakeholders with different viewpoints. In particular, I have project managed the following:

Books Expansion for the Visually Impaired - A Feasibility project to explore the potential for using XML in the production process for accessible versions of books and recommend new collaborative cross-industry approaches.

Focus - A pilot project to explore and test the market potential for accessible versions of books with top trade books being sold through mainstream distribution channels.

DfE Accessible Resources Project - A pilot project funded by the UK Department for Education that trialed the use of electronic versions of textbooks by pupils with visual and print impairments in schools. It's powerful results have led to the UK DoE funding RNIB and Dyslexia Action to create many more accessible versions of educational books and making them available through a new repository.

TIGAR Project - A global project working to establish copyright and technology solutions to enable cross border exchange of accessible versions of books.