- come to understand what is meant by disability and why libraries have obligations to support disabled users;
- learn about a wide range of software and hardware for creating inclusive spaces and services regardless of your budget limitations or staffing levels;
- get comfortable with the overarching principles of online accessibility and how they specifically apply to library websites, digital media and files, digital communications, and emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI);
- discover how libraries can verify the accessibility of the tools they develop or subscribe to, including best practices for working with vendors to optimize the accessibility of their library products;
- be invited to reflect upon the future of digital accessibility, particularly concerning education and hiring to ensure that accessibility remains central to the work done at all libraries.
Preface: Libraries as Community Equalizers
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 The What and Why of Accessibility
Chapter 2 The Wares: Spaces, Hardware, and Software
Chapter 3 Principles of Web Accessibility
Chapter 4 The Accessible Library Website
Chapter 5 Digital Media and File Accessibility
Chapter 6 Accessible Communications and Events
Chapter 7 Automated and Manual Testing
Chapter 8 Accessibility of Emerging Technologies
Chapter 9 Accessibility of eXtended Reality
Chapter 10 Artificial Intelligence, Libraries, and Accessibility
Chapter 11 Best Practices for Working with Vendors
Chapter 12 Preparing the Profession
Chapter 13 Digital Accessibility on a Budget
Chapter 14 A More Inclusive Tomorrow
Appendix: Recommended Resources
Glossary of Acronyms
About the Authors and Contributors
Index
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Carli Spina is an Associate Professor and the Head of Research & Instructional Services at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly publishes, presents, and teaches about Universal Design, accessibility, and user experience in libraries. She is the author of Creating Inclusive Libraries by Applying Universal Design: A Guide (2021).Rebecca Albrecht Oling (MLS, CPACC) is the Director of Digital Accessibility at Purchase College, SUNY. Promoted to Librarian in 2024, Oling has worked to shape approaches to digital accessibility on her campus and beyond. Aside from her research and writing, she consults on accessibility best practices and leads trainings that empower people to create a more universal experience.
Both Spina and Oling have worked within SUNY to co-lead a group of librarians to hone skills and thinking in this area resulting in the Library Procurement Accessibility Toolkit, an ongoing project. They currently co-chair a group reviewing the SUNY libraries' implementation of the Electronic Information Accessibility Policy.