Accessible Format Request service

On this page you can make a request for an accessible format of an eBook or an online learning resource (e.g. Evolve, Sherpath, or book companion website) using one of two services. Use the Accessible Format Request service to request an accessible EPUB format or an online learning resource, in line with the eligibility criteria detailed below. If you are requesting a book and an EPUB format does not meet your requirements, you may instead use the AccessText Network service to request an alternative electronic format (e.g. PDF) of a purchased paper book or eBook.

Our approach

New titles

Elsevier ensures that all new eBooks are published in an accessible EPUB format, in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard. Since July 2025, companion materials for our new titles also conform with at least WCAG 2.1 AA.

Published (backlist) titles

We have invested in the remediation of approximately 8,000 of our most current and widely used eBooks on our largest content platforms. Enhancements include fully accessible EPUB, video captions, alt text for content images, and accessibility metadata. For other titles not in this group, the Accessible Format Request service provides the option for individual requests to be made.

Journals

Elsevier publishes over 5,000 journal titles across many Science and Health subject areas. While Elsevier has been continuously improving the HTML and PDF journal accessibility formats for more than 20 years, we continue to enhance the content to meet WCAG 2.2 standards. This includes adding alt-text descriptions to images; captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions to journals videos; accessibility metadata to journal articles; and ensuring our formats use the industry standard accessibility features such as PDF/UA standard tags and MathML.

Our plan is to have WCAG 2.2 conformance complete for all journals where we are responsible for the production by August 2026. This includes all Elsevier-owned journals and the majority of our Society-owned journals, too. For production that is managed by our publishing partners, we have shared guidance on how they can prepare and share accessible content with us. The alt-text we provide for our journals will be generated using AI, with all descriptions reviewed by the author at proof stage, in line with our Responsible AI Principles.

We also want to make sure that those who need access to previously published content in an accessible format are able to receive it. We are therefore launching a Journals Accessible Format Request service, available by the end of May 2026. In addition, we are also exploring solutions to help us remediate our legacy content at scale. We will share further details about this in due course.

Making an Accessible Format Request

If you have purchased an eBook or online learning resource that has not yet been made available by Elsevier with accessibility enhancements, you can make a request for an accessible version. If your request is accepted:

eBooks

• The eBook will be made available in EPUB (electronic publication) format, on all platforms where EPUB is supported, regardless of which platform the request originates from. The requestor will have access to the EPUB via their existing platform access (or via an individual link where a platform does not support EPUB).

• Alt text (alternative text) will be added to book images and figures.

• Any video content will be closed captioned.

• Descriptive text will be made available for all video content​.

• Content will be full-text and reflowable.

• The eBook will be ‘remediated’ to standards that merit the Global Certified Accessibility badge, which includes WCAG 2.2 AA conformance and meets European Accessibility Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II compliance.

Online learning resources

• Digital companion resources and material, such as PowerPoints, PDFs, and Word and Excel documents, will be remediated to WCAG 2.1 AA standard. These will be sent to you in their existing format (e.g. PowerPoints will remain PowerPoints), with accessibility features added in line with WCAG 2.1 AA.

Depending upon the complexity and density of the book, the remediation process can take 2 – 4 weeks. Where an eBook also includes complex companion materials, this may take an extra week (i.e. up to 5 weeks from the date of request) to remediate.

We will endeavour to fulfil all requests we receive. However, there will be some exceptional cases where either the costs of making the book accessible will be disproportionately high, or would result in a change to the fundamental nature of the book. Instead, or if you require a different format than EPUB, the AccessText Network (outlined below) may be an option to make a disability-related request for an alternative electronic format of the book title.

Eligibility

Individual customers who have already purchased or are entitled to an eBook (for example, through an institution) on any Elsevier platform may use this request service. Entitlement will be verified using the email address included on the request.

Note: if a request is made for remediation on a platform where EPUB is not supported, the requestor will instead be given individual access to the EPUB on another platform. Due to requests being processed individually in this way, bulk requests (for example, a librarian on behalf of a group) are not supported.

Proceed to the Accessible Format Request form (EPUB remediation service).

The AccessText Network / Alternative Format Requests for eBook accommodations

Elsevier participates in the AccessText Network (ATN) as a member-publisher to help facilitate eBook accommodations for students with print disabilities. Disability Services Officers (DSOs) at educational institutions in the US & Canada can make a request through AccessText for an alternative format on behalf of students who have a verified book purchase. DSOs will receive a PDF (or other available format) within 24-48 hours.

Note: some very old book titles are not available in PDF. Additionally, the alternative format files received via an ATN request may not have the same accessibility enhancements as outlined above as part of the Accessible Format Request service.

Read more about the AccessText Network process.

If customers are not affiliated with an institution that participates in the AccessText Network, they may make a request directly to Elsevier via the Alternative Format Request Form.