AccessLibraries: A Promising Practice for Promoting the Accessibility of Libraries

A project was led by the DO-IT(Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) Center in collaboration with University Libraries at the University of Washington in Seattle. The project goal was to teach librarians and other educators about assistive technology and accessible information technology (IT) design through the development and dissemination of a video presentation, brochures, and a presentation manual. The materials created were presented at many librarian and educator conferences throughout the United States.

Funding for the AccessLibraries project was provided by the Telecommunications Funding Partnership and the National Science Foundation. The University of Washington also contributed substantial resources through the DO-IT Center.

Feedback from recipients of training and the materials suggest positive outcomes in terms of the knowledge, skills, and interests of librarians regarding making library services, particularly those provided electronically, accessible to everyone. Others are encouraged to replicate these promising practices by using and updating the materials created during the project funding period.

For further information consult the short publication and accessibility checklist Equal Access: Universal Design of Libraries, the short video Equal Access: Campus Libraries, and the comprehensive training materials Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries.

Additional resources on how libraries can make electronic resources can be found in the publication Making Electronic Resources Accessible in Libraries. To learn more about strategies for applying universal design principals to student services organizations visit the Student Services Conference Room.