Making an ebook accessible has always required more guesswork than it should. Which images need alt text? Will your heading structure trip up a screen reader? Most authors never find out until it's too late. Some never find out at all.
Every Spark account now includes a new Accessibility Evaluation feature built right into the Book-Building Tool. It scans your ebook's interior file, flags common problems, and tells you exactly what to fix and where.
Why It Matters
Accessible ebooks help remove barriers for readers who use screen readers and other assistive technology, making it easier for more people to enjoy your book. The problem is that most accessibility issues are invisible unless you know to look for them. A missing table header or a vague link doesn't show up during a normal proofread.
That’s exactly where this tool can help. It won't certify your book as compliant, and it's not a substitute for content validation. However, it does identify the accessibility issues most authors miss, before a reader ever runs into them.
Want more info on uploading your digital files? Get our IngramSpark File Creation Guide which details the requirements necessary for digital files uploaded into IngramSpark for both print-on-demand (POD) and ebook distribution.
What It Checks
The evaluation runs through five checks, one section at a time:
1. Alt Text
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Any image missing a written description gets flagged, with a link straight to the chapter it's in. Write a description between 4 and 125 characters, or mark the image decorative if it's just visual flair that doesn't add meaning. Screen readers skip decorative images automatically.
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2. Table Headers
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- Without proper headers, a screen reader reads table data as a disconnected string of words and numbers, with no sense of which column anything belongs to. This check identifies tables missing that structure, and one click selects every flagged table and fixes them all at once.
3. Link Text
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- Vague link text like “click here” or “learn more” doesn’t tell readers where a link leads, and it can create friction for people using screen readers, keyboards, or voice commands. This check flags those links so you can replace them with text that clearly describes the destination.
4. Headings
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- Headings need to follow a clear order, from H1 to H2 to H3, so your ebook’s structure makes sense to both readers and assistive technology. This check flags skipped or out-of-sequence headings and lets you fix them individually or reorder them automatically.
5. Navigation
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- Internal links and your table of contents should point to real, working locations inside the book. This check catches the ones that don't.
Each check tracks its own status. A warning icon means a section still needs attention. A checkmark means it's done.
Turning your print book into an ebook is easier than you might think. Find out more.
How It Fits into Your Workflow
The evaluation is designed to be easy to find and easy to use. It launches automatically after you upload your interior file, and you can open it anytime from the left-hand navigation menu. If you’re not ready to make changes, you can skip a section and come back later. Nothing here is mandatory.
Some checks even include one-click fixes so you can update every flagged item at once. Stuck on what a recommendation means? Help Center links are built right into the review screen.
Right now, the Accessibility Evaluation is available for ebook-only and print-and-ebook title setups in the Book-Building Tool.
Worth the Extra Step
You’re never required to follow the evaluation’s suggestions. But spending a few extra minutes reviewing them can make a real difference in how many readers can fully enjoy your book. It's a small step that can help you reach a wider audience.
