19 File Format and Software Choice

The usability of an OER is heavily impacted by how easily users can access it.^[1] In this chapter, you will learn about the accessibility considerations related to a resource’s file format and the software used to access it.

Open File Formats

If someone wants to read your work, they need to be able to open the file on their computer; however, some file formats require specific proprietary software to open. Saving your work in open file formats can give your students more options for accessing their course content on whatever platform best meets their needs.

• Open formats: HTML, ePub, RTF, Mobi, PNG, XML, PDF, Markdown
• Proprietary formats: MS Word, Pages, PowerPoint, Keynote

Accessible Software

Some software used to create or display content disables accessibility features built into your computer’s operating system, such as zoom, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text. It is important to check whether the software students will use to view your course content disables the accessibility features of their computer’s operating system. This can be an issue both for OER and for traditional, publisher-provided course content.

• Is the software used to view the OER compatible with most assistive devices?
• Does the software require point-and-click interaction to work properly?
• Can the software menus be “seen” and properly interpreted by screen readers?

Pressbooks itself was created with accessibility in mind, as described in its statement on Accessibility at Pressbooks.