This week’s Website Wednesday is about a pillar of librarianship: access. In statements generated by the American Library Association since 1939 (Library Bill of Rights (1939,1996), The Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View) the themes are freedom of access and the library’s responsibility to ensure equitable access to all persons in the community.
As library services are increasingly digital and our websites are used to broaden and extend access to our resources anywhere/anytime, we should consider whether our designs are equitable. Wait, what? Anyone who has watched me work knows these things about me: I have a strong distaste for the touchpad on laptops (shaky hands) and my screen zoom is always set at least 125% (low vision). I don’t (yet) need a screen reader, but that day will come, and when it does, will I be able to access anything on our websites?
Physical ADA compliance in our libraries has led to increased access to people in wheelchairs and walkers, as it was designed, but also to people with laptop carts, roller briefcases, bum knees, bad days, and strollers. I challenge all of us to extend this thinking to ways in which we can make our web presence more accessible, not only for ADA compliance, but for everyone. (Click here for more on Universal Design.)
The wonderful Al Oliveras has scheduled a webinar with John Zick from AIM Independent Living Center on July 15th @ 1 pm. Topics will include:
- Why should websites be accessible?
- Online barriers for people with disabilities
- Common problems and solutions
- Considerations for website development
- A look at the library system’s webpage using an online evaluation tool
Register here: http://learn.stls.org/website-accessibility-registration-form/
Also, please visit our most recent additions to the STLS WordPress site community:Friendship Free Library and Belfast Public Library. Both libraries used the Frontier Theme to build clear and useful web sites. Well done!
As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
In partnership,
Margo
