#library accessibility

[art124spring2019]

Week 7 - Architecture     Photo Credits: Jan Holmes

[collingsruth]

Often, library staff may have to make purchasing decisions regarding electronic databases and resources, software for public use, or a new web site design or layout. Libraries share a great responsibility and may be legally required to ensure that anyone-especially patrons and staff with disabilities- can effectively use these electronic services.

I've been working on a lot of accessibility-related projects lately and the head of our Library Accessibility department recently gave me this document to read: it's a really clear, succinct, and jargon-free description of the rules American and Canadian librarians can use to assess software and websites. Even as someone who has read the legislation in question, it's really helpful to have it summarized in a way that would make sense to a non-tech person. I hope some of you will find it useful when assessing your library websites and vendor purchases.

(This is an American document and Canadian legislation differs on some points, but the principles are all the same.)