Asking vendors about the accessibility of their products ensures that you provide the most inclusive content and reading systems available for your patrons. This is important because not all content, online services, and reading systems have accessibility built into them by design.
We suggest you use this checklist as a guide for library staff when they are starting their accessibility journey or when you provide staff training. The information is summarized from the Accessibility 101 webinar, slides, and the “Quick Reference: Accessibility 101” document.
Google provides help documentation to guide you through the steps needed to create documents using assistive technologies and how to make accessible documents.
If you are interested in learning more about screen magnification technologies, this resource is a terrific starting point. The AbilityNet factsheet describes what screen magnification software is and does.
The American Foundation of the Blind (AFB) provides a list of assistive technologies (also known as access technologies) that persons with print disabilities use to consume content. The products page includes a summary of the different technologies as well as the different types and options for each one.
This recording of the Creating Accessible Documents webinar guides you through how to make an accessible Word document, including accessible tables, images, and document structure. The webinar includes demonstrations and examples of how you can start creating accessible documents.
AccessiblePublishing.ca, a website developed by the National Network of Equitable Library Service (NNELS), presents information and resources to help publishers, libraries, and other organizations create and provide access to accessible eBooks.
users through different reading systems/apps. These YouTube videos are an excellent resource for library staff who want to know how the reading systems/apps are accessible with screen readers.
To get you started on your accessibility journey, we’ve summarized information from the Accessibility 101 webinar. The fact and links in this training resource will help you establish foundational knowledge that you can build on.
This website provides a WCAG compliance checklist that you can use to evaluate your digital content and a very comprehensive list of resources relevant to digital accessibility. This is one of the broader resource lists available online, and they do a great job breaking them down into relevant categories.
This resource provides a quick overview of accessibility settings that library staff can use on Android devices. It could be helpful for troubleshooting with a patron having issues with an Android device.
A guide for some of the accessibility features available in Apple products, including VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch, Switch Control, Guided Access, and Voice Control. There is also a braille user guide for different types of apple devices.
AppleVis is an online resource for blind and low-vision users of Apple products such as the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The blog provides guides to various apps and software, reviews of the accessibility of Apple products, and a discussion forum and podcast.
The DLAUG is a set of digital accessibility guidelines created to support users with print disabilities who rely on screen readers to interact with digital libraries. It is heavily based on WCAG rules, but the focus is on the relationship between digital libraries and patrons who use assistive technology such as screen readers.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) from the Library of Congress created a list covering braille, devices, and general disability resources. Some of the resources are specific to American library services, but it contains some valuable guides on resources such as assistive technology, education, employment advice, and more.
Neils Squire Society is a comprehensive website that offers various services such as accessibility auditing, website and product testing, a service to help businesses develop an accessibility plan, an assistive technology help desk to assist users with their devices, and more.
WebAIM provides users with a list of accessibility resources and tools to help them learn about web accessibility. It includes an introduction to web accessibility, their WCAG checklist, and a Word and PowerPoint evaluation checklist.
The Accessibility 101 webinar recording provides foundational information about accessibility in public libraries. The topics discussed include – “Introduction to Accessibility,” “Introduction to Disabilities,” “Introduction to Accessible Formats,” and more.