Implementing IT Accessibility in the Libraries Andy Andrews

Implementing IT Accessibility in the Libraries Andy Andrews Accessibility Coordinator, UW Libraries

Accessibility Challenges for Libraries 1 of 2 • Create a lot of content • • • PDFs Web pages Digitization of archival resources Canvas courses Workshops …and we employ a lot of content creators

Accessibility Challenges for Libraries 2 of 2 • Inherit inaccessible content from other folks and institutions • • Family films Historical documents Photographs News footage achieves • Licensed content • Electronic journals • Applications • Repository

Experience tells me: It takes a village • Collaboration • • • UW IT Access Technology Center IT Accessibility Liaisons Disability Resources for Students office ADA Coordinators office Accessibility coordinators from other university libraries Across all library portfolios

A few successes from collaborations • Accessibility testing of applications • Accessibility testing of electronic journals • Optical Scanner Recognition setting as the default on scanners • Power adjustable stations for all KIC scanners • 18 power adjustable workstations • Real time captioning for large events

Accessibility Working Group • Expanded group from 8 to 16 • Membership expanded to include more departments • Student members • Subcommittee projects • Staff Training • Library Accessibility web page • Redesign • Update information • Accessibility Audit • End goal is a 5 -year accessibility plan

5 -year Accessibility Plan • Environmental Scan • • Departmental Assessment Physical Access Policies E-Publishing (UW Press) • User Research/Input • User experience testing of our catalog • Student advisory committee • Recommendations • Procurement policies • Electronic resource testing timeline • Web accessibility

Second Session • Library Staff Training • • Accessible Document Creation Workshops – Gabi de Jongh Accessibility 101 canvas course – Ana Thompson Brown Bag learning opportunities Webinars Portal on the libraries intranet Development of library specific content Adding accessibility conversations to new staff onboarding process