We believe that greater accessibility in commercial audiobooks will mean better reading experiences for all readers, and more choice and equitable access for people with print disabilities.  To help advance this goal, CELA has created an Accessible commercial audiobooks research project, funded by Accessibility Standards Canada.  

The project involved a landscape review and stakeholder consultations, followed by testing of audiobook materials with specific accessibility features by readers with and without print disabilities. These readers shared their experiences using these materials, and audiobooks in general, and from these experiences we gathered data and formed recommendations. A key goal of the project is to help create accessibility guidelines and resources for publishers, audiobook producers and others in the audiobook industry to improve the accessibility of audiobooks across the board.

Read more about the project on our blog

Research report

• Accessibility of Commercial Audiobooks Research Report (Word document)
• Plain language executive summary (Word document)
• Detailed executive summary (Word document)

Webinar: Making Audiobooks Accessible: Challenges and Opportunities

• Webinar date: Mar 27, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time 
• A recording of this webinar will be available in April.
• Details: The webinar aims to explore the evolving landscape of audiobook accessibility, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in making commercial audiobooks more inclusive for all readers, with special attention to individuals with print disabilities. Drawing insights from the Accessible Commercial Audiobooks Project, the webinar will discuss the current state of audiobook practices, the needs of readers with and without print disabilities, common barriers, and practical solutions to enhance accessibility in audiobook production—both in the short and long term—while keeping in mind the realities of the commercial audiobook industry.