Definition

The reading order of the content is clearly defined in the markup (e.g., figures, sidebars and other secondary content has been marked up to allow it to be skipped automatically and/or manually escaped from.

Examples

Example 1 — EPUB 3
<meta property="schema:accessibilityFeature">
   readingOrder
</meta>
Example 2 — EPUB 2
<meta name="schema:accessibilityFeature"
      content="readingOrder"/>
Example 3 — Audiobooks
"accessibilityFeature": ["readingOrder"]

Explanation

The readingOrder value is used to indicate that there is a logical reading order to the text of a publication.

The logical reading order is the progression from one element of content to the next (e.g., a heading for a chapter is followed by the first paragraph and so on). When elements are out of order in the markup and styled to appear linear, assistive technologies will present them to users in the incorrect order.

The logical reading order is also established by ensuring that primary content can be distinguished from secondary. The use of HTML elements like figure and aside helps identify secondary content, allowing users to skip over it if they choose.

Fixed-layout publications tend to be the most problematic due to the fixed positioning of elements and having to represent secondary content that spans two pages, but it is possible for fixed layouts to have a logical reading progression if care is taken.

See the logical reading order knowledge base page for more information.

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