From compliance to inclusion

The true potential of Diamond OA is only realised when financial accessibility is paired with robust content accessibility. Without accessible outputs, even the most open publications risk perpetuating exclusion, silencing research voices, and limiting the global reach of scholarship. Accessibility is not a compliance checkbox but a necessity and a fundamental expression of the mission-driven values that define university and library presses and scholarly societies, which are uniquely positioned to close these gaps. By leading with accessibility, especially within the Diamond OA model, demonstrate that inclusivity enhances, rather than restricts, scholarly communication.

Current publishing practices can create significant barriers for researchers and readers with disabilities and differing abilities.

• Approximately 1.3 billion people experience significant disability, which is 16% of the global population
• Only 2.4% of published scientific research papers are fully accessible
• Inaccessible design leads to $828 million in lost e-commerce revenue in a single holiday season and 71% of users abandoning inaccessible sites within 10 seconds
• 95.9% of websites still have detectable accessibility failures as of 2024, highlighting the scale of the challenge

When research outputs lack proper semantic structure, alternative text (alt text) for images, or screen reader compatibility, critical perspectives are lost, particularly from those whose lived experiences could transform entire fields of inquiry. Early career researchers from institutions with limited assistive technology resources face additional disadvantages, while established researchers in developing countries often cannot access research essential for local innovation.

Inaccessible publications constrain research impact. Potential readers are excluded, citation networks remain, and valuable voices are silenced, resulting in a fragmented scholarly landscape, where the full potential of collaborative research and knowledge exchange remains unrealised.

Sustainable accessibility requires cultural transformation. Publishers who successfully embed accessibility into their workflows share common characteristics:

• leadership commitment that goes beyond compliance
• author engagement strategies that educate
• and quality assurance processes that treat accessibility as integral to editorial excellence.

This cultural shift transforms accessibility into a competitive advantage, enabling you to reach broader audiences, improve discoverability, and demonstrate measurable impact. Create genuinely inclusive knowledge ecosystems that amplify diverse voices and accelerate global research collaboration, helping mission-driven publishers fulfil their core purpose.

Let’s explore why accessibility is not just a compliance checkbox but a fundamental expression of the mission-driven values that define university and library presses and scholarly societies. These institutions are uniquely positioned to close accessibility gaps and demonstrate that inclusivity enhances, rather than restricts, scholarly communication.

Explore business, ethical, and scholarly imperatives for accessible publishing, provide concrete best practices, and practical resources so you are ready to lead with inclusion, especially those embracing the Diamond OA model.

Beyond compliance: why accessibility matters

Diamond OA has democratised who can afford to read and publish research. But financial accessibility alone is insufficient. When publications lack proper semantic structure, alternative text (alt text) for images, or screen reader compatibility, we risk creating new forms of exclusion that contradict the open research mission resulting in:

• Lost perspectives: critical insights from those whose lived experiences could transform entire fields of inquiry remain unheard
• Career disadvantages: early career researchers from institutions with limited assistive technology resources face additional barriers to participation
• Global inequity: researchers in developing countries often cannot access research essential for local innovation: low-bandwidth internet and older technology make poorly designed digital publications even harder to use
• Diminished impact: inaccessible publications exclude potential readers, constrain citation networks, and silence valuable voices
• Distress: inaccessible design can lead to exclusion and increased stress for researchers with disabilities
• Marginalisation: inaccessible resources can exclude these researchers from global academic discourse, further entrenching inequalities
• Reduced independence: researchers may need to rely on others to access content, undermining autonomy

Maryam Sayab highlights key Diamond OA findings

Maryam Sayab highlights key Diamond OA findings in Diamond Dreams, Unequal Realities: The Promise and Pitfalls of No-APC Open Access:

• The Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation initiative is winding down without a sustainable future, with 2025 being their final year as they celebrate 20 years of legacy
• The cOAlition S / Science Europe OA Diamond Journals Study from 2021 stated there are between 17,000 and 29,000 Diamond OA journals worldwide being managed on lean budgets with about a quarter running at a loss. Over half spend under €10,000 a year
• As much as 90% of open access journals in Latin America operate without APCs, but sustainability continues to be a concern
• The 2024 EIFL survey of 149 Diamond OA journals cited that 75% quoted financial constraints as their number one challenge and about half stating a staff shortage
• The 2023 German Diamond OA study found that 23 journals had already closed operations
• About 90% of scholarly journals in Pakistan operate under some form of OA, with 69% Diamond OA
• Simard et al. (2024) discovered that Diamond OA journals are majorly underrepresented in the indexing services Scopus and Web of Science
• Only 4.3% of Diamond OA journals meet all of the Plan S technical criteria and around 75% did not have machine-readable XML or HTML output
• The Dutch research council NOW, in 2024, launched grants of up to €50,000 to support flipping journals to a Diamond OA model
• The Toluca–Cape Town Declaration (2024) came out of the 2nd Global Summit on Diamond Open Access, called for better collaboration and sustainability

Diamond OA and accessibility: a combined imperative

Diamond OA journals and platforms are often community-driven and academic-led, with missions rooted in equity and public good. This positions them to lead not only in removing financial barriers, but also in setting new standards for accessibility. By embedding accessibility into Diamond OA publishing, ensure that the benefits of open scholarship are truly universal, reaching all readers and researchers regardless of economic status or ability.

When accessibility is treated as an afterthought, the consequences ripple throughout the research ecosystem. Inaccessible publications constrain research impact. Potential readers are excluded, citation networks remain fragmented, and valuable voices are silenced. This results in a scholarly landscape where the full potential of collaborative research and knowledge exchange remains unrealised.

From compliance to culture: building sustainable accessibility

Genuine accessibility requires more than meeting minimum legal standards. It demands cultural transformation within publishing organisations. Publishers who successfully embed accessibility into their workflows share common characteristics:

1) Leadership commitment

• Accessibility is championed at the highest organisational levels
• Resources are allocated for training, tools, and implementation
• Clear accountability structures that extend beyond compliance officers are embraced

2) Author engagement

• Education strategies that help authors understand accessibility principles are adopted
• Support systems are implemented that make accessible authoring straightforward
• There is recognition that accessibility begins at the manuscript stage

3) Quality assurance integration

• Accessibility is treated as integral to editorial excellence, not an afterthought
• Systematic checking processes are embedded in production workflows
• Continuous improvement mechanisms are based on user feedback

Diamond OA publishers are well placed to champion this transformation. Their community-driven ethos and reliance on public or institutional funding often align with broader mandates for equity, diversity, and inclusion, including digital accessibility

By integrating accessibility from the outset, Diamond OA publishers can model best practices for the entire sector.

• Since November 2024, the University of London Press all new titles are born-accessible (EPUB, PDF, HTML), with 54% of its catalogue now available in accessible formats. A backlist remediation project released 34 accessible EPUBs in May 2025, with 97 more scheduled by winter 2025
• The DIAMAS Project mapped 685 institutional publishers, developed a Diamond OA Standard, and launched a self-assessment tool for accessibility
• All books and journals with UCL Press are available in accessible digital formats, demonstrating sector leadership

The strategic benefits: accessibility as competitive advantage

Mission-driven publishers who prioritise accessibility unlock tangible benefits. Focus on accessibility, achieve expanded reach, connect with broader audiences, and include users of assistive technologies. This approach also results in enhanced mobile and responsive reading experiences, fostering better engagement across diverse user contexts.

For Diamond OA publishers, these benefits are magnified:

• Broader reach and impact: prioritise accessibility to demonstrate greater geographic diversity of their readership and authorship, as well as higher engagement from communities who may otherwise be excluded due to cost or disability
• Stronger mission alignment: accessibility reinforces the core values of Diamond OA (equity, inclusion, and public good), strengthening relationships with funders, libraries, and communities who share these goals
• Thought leadership and innovation: leading on both open and accessible publishing and model best practices for the wider industry and influence policy, funding, and technology standards

Improved discoverability is another significant advantage. Accessible content benefits from better search engine optimisation through semantic structure, making it easier for both people and machines, for example, AI and research tools, to read and understand. Stronger alignment with indexing systems further amplifies the visibility and impact of published work.

Accessibility also delivers measurable impact. Publishers see increased citations from previously excluded communities and enjoy greater geographic distribution of readership. Beyond numbers, these outcomes demonstrate a clear commitment to institutional values and inclusive scholarship.

Finally, prioritising accessibility enhances reputation. Publishers establish themselves as leaders in ethical scholarly communication, attracting mission-aligned authors and editors. This strengthened reputation encourages deeper relationships with accessibility-conscious institutions, further reinforcing a publisher’s mission and values.

A vision for inclusive knowledge ecosystems

When university presses and scholarly societies lead with accessibility and embrace Diamond OA, they create genuinely inclusive knowledge ecosystems that:

• amplify marginalised voices often excluded from academic discourse
• accelerate global research collaboration by removing participation barriers
• enhance research quality through integration of diverse perspectives
• fulfil their core mission to advance and disseminate knowledge for public good

Diamond OA’s unique combination of fee-free access and mission-driven publishing makes it the ideal foundation for such ecosystems. By embedding accessibility, Diamond OA publishers can ensure that OA means open to all, not just those without financial barriers.

Pathway for action

Begin or expand your accessibility journey by focusing on six key areas:

1) Assess the current state

• Audit existing publications for accessibility barriers
• Evaluate current workflows and identify integration points
• Survey authors and readers to understand specific needs

2) Build the foundation

• Adopt born-accessible workflows
• Establish accessibility policies and standards
• Invest in staff training and development
• Select or upgrade tools to support accessible production

3) Implement systematically

• Integrate accessibility checkpoints into editorial processes
• Develop author guidelines with accessibility requirements
• Create quality assurance protocols for accessibility verification

4) Engage your community

• Consult with disability communities and accessibility experts
• Collaborate with external partners and sign on to accessibility charters
• Gather feedback from users of assistive technologies
• Share learnings with the broader publishing community

5) Measure and improve

• Track accessibility metrics alongside traditional publishing KPIs
• Regularly review and update accessibility practices
• Celebrate successes and learn from challenges

For Diamond OA publishers, additional steps include:

• Embed accessibility requirements into Diamond OA funding agreements and editorial policies
• Partner with accessibility experts and user groups from the outset
• Report on both financial and accessibility metrics, demonstrate the full scope of their impact
• Engage in community initiatives (e.g., DIAMAS, Plan S, and cOAlition S) to advance standards for open and accessible scholarship

Resources for practical implementation

Start by speaking with people who have been there and done it. Not just your networks but industry experts at service providers like SciFlow happy to share what is working for their clients and what trends they are seeing and lessons learned to save you time and gain valuable insights.

Now you are ready to take action, the following resources offer step-by-step guidance, tools, and video tutorials:

• Accessible Publishing Learning Network
• Ace by DAISY: EPUB accessibility checker
• A11y Project: Community-driven accessibility resources
• Adobe: Creating Accessible PDFs
• axe DevTools: Accessibility testing browser extension
• BIC’s accessibility hub
• DAISY Accessible Publishing Knowledge Base
• DAISY Consortium: Accessible EPUB 3 (video tutorials)
• DIAGRAM Center: Image Description Guidelines
• eBOUND Canada’s Accessibility Metadata Best Practices for Ebooks report
• EPUB Accessibility Techniques
• FigureTwo for scientific figures for journals
• IPG’s Rising to the Accessibility Challenge course
• Inclusive Publishing: Creating Accessible EPUBs
• Make Academic Content Truly Accessible for All
• Make Images Truly Accessible For All
• NISO’s Powering Accessibility: A White Paper 2024
• PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker): Free PDF accessibility testing
• SciFlow’s free accessibility check for publications
• The STM Association’s accessibility resources for academic publishing
• UK Publishing Accessibility Action Group (PAAG)
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative: Introduction to Web Accessibility
• WCAG 2.2 Guidelines: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• WAVE: Web accessibility evaluation tool
• WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey Results (video presentations)

Also consider connecting with other publishers through professional associations like ALPSP, STM and SSP accessibility working groups and committees.

Lead with purpose

Diamond OA publishing is a powerful tool for democratising knowledge, but its promise is only fulfilled when accessibility is embedded at every stage.

The time to embrace accessibility as a competitive advantage and a moral imperative is now. University and library presses and scholarly societies occupy a unique position in the research ecosystem. Their mission-driven nature, combined with their role as gatekeepers of scholarly communication, positions them as natural leaders in accessibility transformation.

By embracing accessibility not as compliance burden but as core mission, and moving from compliance to inclusion, these organisations can demonstrate that OA means truly universal access, model best practices for the broader publishing industry and create lasting competitive advantages in an evolving landscape.

By moving from compliance to inclusion, university and library presses and scholarly societies can amplify diverse voices, accelerate global research collaboration, and fulfil their core mission of advancing knowledge for all.