Digital Accessibility Compliance
New Standards and Best Practices for Supporting Disabled Library Patrons
Will be published approx. on 4. February 2027
Book
Hardback
176 pages
979-8-216-19667-9 (ISBN)
Description
This guide and reference book helps librarians understand and implement new digital accessibility guidelines issued recently in both the United States and the European Union in relation to digital materials, events, education, and licensing. It also covers the relevant guidelines in the UK.
The US government recently issued new guidelines for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act that greatly expand requirements for digital accessibility for websites, apps, and other digital content; for education activities with online components; and for events with online components. These guidelines apply to all local, state, and federal government entities, as well as other entities accepting federal funds. As such, they apply to all public libraries, public school libraries, public community college libraries, public university libraries, and many libraries at private educational institutions receiving federal funds. At the same time, the European Union has passed a comprehensive European Accessibility Act with parallel digital accessibility goals and similar requirements that apply to EU libraries.
Although libraries have historically been among the strongest supporters of disabled people in their communities, these new guidelines mean updating existing products and materials in line with the new requirements and ensuring every newly designed, developed, or purchased item, service, or program complies with the regulations going forward.
In a concise and understandable manner, this book describes the importance of accessibility; designing for accessibility; unique challenges of accessibility; the historical relationships between libraries and disability; existing accessibility guidelines; the new guidelines for both the US and the EU and existing guidelines in the UK; best practices for digital content, events, and educational activities under the new guidelines; the impacts of the new guidelines on purchasing and licensing; key resources; and ways to incorporate the new guidelines into making the library an inclusive and welcoming space for disabled community members.
The US government recently issued new guidelines for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act that greatly expand requirements for digital accessibility for websites, apps, and other digital content; for education activities with online components; and for events with online components. These guidelines apply to all local, state, and federal government entities, as well as other entities accepting federal funds. As such, they apply to all public libraries, public school libraries, public community college libraries, public university libraries, and many libraries at private educational institutions receiving federal funds. At the same time, the European Union has passed a comprehensive European Accessibility Act with parallel digital accessibility goals and similar requirements that apply to EU libraries.
Although libraries have historically been among the strongest supporters of disabled people in their communities, these new guidelines mean updating existing products and materials in line with the new requirements and ensuring every newly designed, developed, or purchased item, service, or program complies with the regulations going forward.
In a concise and understandable manner, this book describes the importance of accessibility; designing for accessibility; unique challenges of accessibility; the historical relationships between libraries and disability; existing accessibility guidelines; the new guidelines for both the US and the EU and existing guidelines in the UK; best practices for digital content, events, and educational activities under the new guidelines; the impacts of the new guidelines on purchasing and licensing; key resources; and ways to incorporate the new guidelines into making the library an inclusive and welcoming space for disabled community members.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
ISBN-13
979-8-216-19667-9 (9798216196679)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Petra Anders, PhD, is a Research Assistant at the University of Bamberg, Germany.
Stephanie J. Cork, PhD, is an academic coach and consultant specializing in support for disabled students as they transition into higher education.
Ursula Gorham, PhD, is the Associate Director for Faculty Initiatives in the UMD Office of Faculty Affairs, USA.
Kelly Hoffman, PhD, works in knowledge management for the federal government, USA.
Paul T. Jaeger, PhD, is a Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at the College of Information and Director of the Museum Scholarship and Material Culture graduate program at the University of Maryland, USA.
J. Bern Jordan, PhD, is an Assistant Research Scientist in the UMD College of Information, USA..
Jonathan Lazar, PhD, is MIDA's Executive Director and is a Professor at UMD's College of Information, USA.
Fernando Loizides, PhD, is a Reader in Computer Science and Informatics, co-founder of RapidLab, and the Director of the Data Science Academy at Cardiff University, UK, as well as an Honorary Professor at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain.
Timothy Neate, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at King's College London.
Sara Olsen, PhD, is a Disability Rights Program Specialist supporting the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and individuals' right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible.
Ron Padron is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the UMD College of Information, USA.
Ana Palla, PhD, is a Senior IT Accessibility and UX Specialist at the Academic Technology & Innovation unit in the UMD Division of Information Technology, USA.
Alexandra Peterson is a Frontend Software Developer for Agilant Solutions, Inc., USA.
Alexander Pilon is a Video and Graphic Design Specialist and Communications Strategist, serving as the Educational Media Developer of the Teaching and Learning Centre at Ontario Tech University, Canada.
Elizabeth A. Pineo is a PhD student at the UMD's College of Information, USA.
Alyssa Ryan is the Director of Academic Program Operations for the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland, USA.
Nedelina Tchangalova is a Public Health & Hearing and Speech Librarian in the UMD's STEM Library, USA.
Stephanie J. Cork, PhD, is an academic coach and consultant specializing in support for disabled students as they transition into higher education.
Ursula Gorham, PhD, is the Associate Director for Faculty Initiatives in the UMD Office of Faculty Affairs, USA.
Kelly Hoffman, PhD, works in knowledge management for the federal government, USA.
Paul T. Jaeger, PhD, is a Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at the College of Information and Director of the Museum Scholarship and Material Culture graduate program at the University of Maryland, USA.
J. Bern Jordan, PhD, is an Assistant Research Scientist in the UMD College of Information, USA..
Jonathan Lazar, PhD, is MIDA's Executive Director and is a Professor at UMD's College of Information, USA.
Fernando Loizides, PhD, is a Reader in Computer Science and Informatics, co-founder of RapidLab, and the Director of the Data Science Academy at Cardiff University, UK, as well as an Honorary Professor at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain.
Timothy Neate, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at King's College London.
Sara Olsen, PhD, is a Disability Rights Program Specialist supporting the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and individuals' right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible.
Ron Padron is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the UMD College of Information, USA.
Ana Palla, PhD, is a Senior IT Accessibility and UX Specialist at the Academic Technology & Innovation unit in the UMD Division of Information Technology, USA.
Alexandra Peterson is a Frontend Software Developer for Agilant Solutions, Inc., USA.
Alexander Pilon is a Video and Graphic Design Specialist and Communications Strategist, serving as the Educational Media Developer of the Teaching and Learning Centre at Ontario Tech University, Canada.
Elizabeth A. Pineo is a PhD student at the UMD's College of Information, USA.
Alyssa Ryan is the Director of Academic Program Operations for the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland, USA.
Nedelina Tchangalova is a Public Health & Hearing and Speech Librarian in the UMD's STEM Library, USA.
Content
Introduction
Section 1: Digital Accessibility Context
1. The Relationship between Libraries and Accessibility
2. The Impact of Accessibility
3. Access, Accessibility, Equity, and Equality
4. Born Accessible Design and Accessibility Priorities
5. Models of Disability
6. Accounting for Disability and Accessibility Tiers
Section 2: Laws and Standards
7. Legal Standards in the US, EU, and UK
8. Implementing WCAG
Section 3: Best Practices for Accessibility
9. Best Practices for Digital Content
10. Best Practices for Purchasing: Licensing and Contracts
11. Best Practices for Accessibility in Libraries
12. Key Resources
13. Why Don't We Sing This Song All Together?
References
About the Authors
Index
Section 1: Digital Accessibility Context
1. The Relationship between Libraries and Accessibility
2. The Impact of Accessibility
3. Access, Accessibility, Equity, and Equality
4. Born Accessible Design and Accessibility Priorities
5. Models of Disability
6. Accounting for Disability and Accessibility Tiers
Section 2: Laws and Standards
7. Legal Standards in the US, EU, and UK
8. Implementing WCAG
Section 3: Best Practices for Accessibility
9. Best Practices for Digital Content
10. Best Practices for Purchasing: Licensing and Contracts
11. Best Practices for Accessibility in Libraries
12. Key Resources
13. Why Don't We Sing This Song All Together?
References
About the Authors
Index