Overcoming educational hurdles in watercraft proficiency
RYA Publications Shortlisted for ABC International Excellence Award
RYA Publications, a renowned publisher in the boating and watersports field, has been shortlisted for the 2025 ABC International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing. This prestigious award, presented by the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) and led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), recognises significant projects and initiatives advancing accessibility in publishing.
While RYA Publications itself is not directly mentioned in relation to accessible publishing practices or the ABC International Excellence Award in the provided search results, the work being done by the publisher is being recognised on a global stage.
The publisher is making strides in making its content more inclusive and accessible. All new frontlist titles are born accessible EPUBs, compliant with WCAG 2.0 AA standards. Moreover, RYA Publications is converting backlist titles and offers a bespoke service to provide accessible versions within two weeks upon request.
The upgraded RYA Books app now supports screen readers and allows users to switch to text view, adjust font size, and navigate via a table of contents. This app, designed to support diverse learning needs, is suitable for Recognised Training Centres, instructors, and recreational boaters.
From September, users will also be able to stream audiobooks alongside their eBooks on the RYA Books app. This addition will further enhance the accessibility of the app, making it even more user-friendly for those with visual impairments.
RYA Publications is in esteemed company, with world-class publishers such as Cambridge University Press and DK Braille also among the finalists. The publisher is one of three finalists in the publisher category this year, alongside submissions from Canada and Colombia.
Steen Ingerslev, Head of Publications at RYA, commented on the honour of the shortlisting, acknowledging the importance of accessible publishing in fostering social inclusion.
The recognition reflects RYA's commitment to inclusive publishing and aligns with its 'Together on Water' strategy. While there is no direct mention of RYA Publications' involvement in projects like APACE, a key example recognised for excellence in accessible publishing, it is possible that RYA Publications might follow or aspire to the standards and best practices set by such initiatives.
For those interested in priority updates regarding the accessibility of a particular title, users can contact RYA Publications at publications@our website.org.uk. Almost 40 of RYA's most popular titles are already available in accessible formats on iOS, with Android support imminent.
The ABC International Excellence Awards will be announced at the World Blindness Summit in São Paulo, Brazil, in September. It is an exciting time for RYA Publications as they await the results of this esteemed award, further solidifying their commitment to making their content accessible to all.
[1] For more information about the APACE project, please visit [link to source].
- RYA Publications, in the process of making its content more accessible, has expanded its offerings to include online education, a crucial aspect of education-and-self-development, in the form of streamable audiobooks on the RYA Books app.
- The RYA Books app, designed with diverse learning needs in mind, supports screen readers, text view, font size adjustments, and table of contents navigation, making it a valuable tool for learning, a key aspect of education-and-self-development, especially for those with visual impairments.
