Pushing the limits in watercraft instruction
RYA Publications Wins Shortlisting for Accessible Publishing Award
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has been shortlisted for the 2025 ABC International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing. This prestigious accolade recognises the RYA's commitment to making digital boating resources more inclusive and user-friendly.
The RYA team embeds accessibility into every stage of the publishing process. This commitment is evident in their digital publishing efforts, where almost 40 of their most popular titles are already available in accessible formats on iOS, with Android support imminent. All new frontlist titles are born accessible EPUBs, compliant with WCAG 2.0 AA standards.
The RYA Books app, available on iOS and Google Play, is designed to support diverse learning needs, whether for Recognised Training Centres, instructors, or recreational boaters. The app now supports screen readers, allows users to switch to text view, adjust font size, and navigate via a table of contents. From September, users will also be able to stream audiobooks alongside their eBooks on the app.
Students are already benefitting from personalised accessible EPUBs, enabling them to complete RYA training courses equitably. This commitment to accessibility extends beyond digital publishing, aligning with the RYA's 'Together on Water' strategy.
RYA Head of Publications Steen Ingerslev believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and enjoy being on the water, and accessible publishing is a vital part of making that possible. He emphasises, "We are proud to be recognised among world-class publishers like Cambridge University Press and DK Braille for our efforts in accessible publishing."
The ABC International Excellence Awards will be announced at the World Blindness Summit in São Paulo, Brazil, in September. The RYA is one of three finalists in the publisher category this year, alongside submissions from Canada and Colombia.
The RYA remains committed to continuous improvement, regularly updating workflows and schemas to reflect evolving best practices. Users can contact the RYA Publications team if a particular title isn't yet accessible, and priority updates can be made upon request.
For more detailed information on RYA Publications' digital accessibility features, consult the RYA's official publications or contact them directly for information on their digital publishing standards and accessibility implementations.
The RYA's commitment to inclusive digital resources extends beyond boating, as they also cater to home-and-garden enthusiasts with sustainable-living titles like the 'Sustainable Boat Maintenance' and 'The Green Boater's Guide'.
To foster a more sustainable lifestyle, the RYA offers digital resources that provide practical tips for reducing environmental impact on waterways, thereby encouraging a greener home-and-garden approach in harmony with their boating publications.
