ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 provides a common language for describing digital learning resources to facilitate matching of those resources to learners' accessibility needs and preferences (as defined in ISO/IEC 24751-2). This description is one side of a pair of descriptions used in matching user needs and preferences with education delivery (as described in ISO/IEC 24751-1).

ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 discusses the basic principles adhered to in developing this model for describing digital learning resources. It explains: the assumptions made in developing ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008, the notion of an original and adapted resource, the major categories of metadata for original and adapted resources, the notion of an access mode for a resource, what is meant by adaptability, and the importance of interoperability and the role played by consistent implementation in interoperability.

It contains the information model for ISO/IEC 24751-3, including the attribute, allowed occurrence and datatype of each element.

It defines and describes how the terms in the information model should be used, and explains how ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 can be extended.

It discusses conformance to ISO/IEC 24751-3. Conformance is dependent on the role played by the conformant technology. Conformance requirements for both education delivery applications, resources and metadata authoring tools are explained.

ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 provides

• a consolidated list of all the terms defined in ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008, sorted in French alphabetical order,
• the ISO French language equivalent terms and definitions, and
• the codes representing the gender of the French terms.

The vocabulary codes, values and associated rules of application are defined. An informative list of recommended default values for the learner preferences and needs is provided.

It lists existing bindings of the IMS Access for All Metadata Specification Version 1 (ACCMD) that serves as the reference specification for ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008.

It describes information scenarios for applying ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 and gives informative implementation examples.

Use of ISO/IEC 24751-3:2008 will assist in matching individual learner needs in a computer-mediated learning environment with the necessary user interface and resources needed to meet those needs.