Catalyzing the born accessible book chain to create a library of open source, accessible digital titles and providing an open standards based toolkit for local content developers.
Project Name
Driving Local Development of Born Accessible Titles in Kenya
Location Implemented
Global
Technology Used
Assistive Technology, Software/Apps
Competition Entered
Book Boost: Access for All Challenge
Reading Skill Targeted
Reading Environment
Status
Winner
Amount Award
$162,000
Collaborators/Partners
Digital Literacy Trust
The Challenge
Despite the importance of books in boosting foundational literacy skills, for the estimated 19 million children globally who are blind or have low vision, or the millions of children with other disabilities that impact their use of traditionally printed materials, the shortage of quality books in accessible formats is severe. Increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of creating accessible books in the title development phase ("born accessible") is critical to increasing the number of accessible books.
The Big Idea
eKitabu will catalyze the born accessible book chain in Kenya to create a library of open source, accessible digital titles, adapting its open standards based toolkit for local content developers. A Content Development Challenge with prizes for local developers will create new, born-accessible content for the new Kenyan curriculum.
Results
More than 160 accessible titles in Kiswahili, Kinyarwanda, Kenyan Sign Language and English uploaded to the Global Digital Library, plus more than 100 early grade readers for Kenya and 20 for Rwanda in a Benetech-certified EPUB template. Trained editorial and development teams of 13 Kenyan publishing houses using the Accessible EPUB toolkit, and launched a Content Development Challenge to incentivize Kenyan publishers to adopt born-accessible practices.
Featured Innovation
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Accessible EPUBS
eKitabu's toolkit helps publishers and others create accessible EPUBs with image descriptions, accessible navigation, dyslexic fonts, and optional sign language videos.
Blogs and Media
News Byte // December 20, 2022ACR GCD featured in Global Book Alliance’s Partner Spotlight Series
Research and Resources
ACR GCD Alumni featured in USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand Challenges Knowledge Product on Delivering MEL
ACR GCD Alumni, eKitabu & Little Thinking Minds, are featured in this USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand Challenges Knowledge Product on how GCs measured impact and resultsACR GCD Alumni featured in USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand Challenges Knowledge Product on Taking Innovations to Scale
ACR GCD alumi eKitabu is featured in this USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand Challenges Knowledge Product on how innovations have been supported to scaleACR GCD Alumni, eKitabu, featured in USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand Challenges Case Study
ACR GCD Alumni, eKitabu's grantee journey is one of four detailed Case Studies that demonstrates key learning about thematic priorities for the USAID Meta Evaluation of Grand ChallengesLiteracy and Learning Without Limits: The Tools You Need to Ensure Children with Disabilities are Included in Your Reading Programs
Learn about open source resources like book creation software, online libraries, books, reading assessments and more, developed by winners of the All Children Reading Grand Challenge.Digital Story Time
Interactive videos featuring sign language storybooks and reading comprehension questions.
Connect with the Innovator
