Accessibility of electronic library resources:

Accessibility of electronic library resources: Do librarians consider the needs of people with

print disabilities when selecting digital materials?

Presented at the

2013 Accessing Higher Grounds ConferenceWestminster, CO, November 6

by

Axel SchmetzkeReference & Instruction Librarian

U. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point [email protected]

(715) 346-4658

Overview

I. IntroductionII. Empirical Research overviewIII. CD policy and practiceIV. CD literature analysisV. Summary & proposed best practices

I. Introduction

Meanings of access/accessibility in the library world

Types of e-resources in libraries Typical selection process Accessibility standards pertaining to libraries

Meanings of Access\Accessibility in the library world

connectivity global information infrastructure off-campus access easy authentication

availability on the web free access bibliographic access barrier-free access to information for all people,

including those with disabilities

Universal Design= Accessible Design= Barrier-free Design

Design that is sensitive to the variation among

people and thus does not cause certain groups to be systematically excluded.

Type of e-resources in the library• web pages• online catalogs• indexes & full-text databases• federated searching (MetaLib etc.) • resource discovery tools (ExLibris Primo etc.)• electronic reference works • e-books • e-journals• electronic reserve/pdf-formatted documents*• electronic help/reference desk• online tutorials & library guides• courseware (D2L etc.) • online survey tools (Survey Monkey etc.)

Typical selection process

• For larger purchases (databases and e-book packages) typically a collaborative process

• Committee of librarians chaired by Collection Development (CD) Coordinator

– All librarians

– Some librarians

• CD librarian as representative on larger consortial CD committee

• Most libraries have a written CD policy

• Individual e-book purchases are initiated by individual librarians or by individual professors outside the library

Online accessibility policies pertaining to libraries

• Section 508*• American with Disabilities Act (ADA)*• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973• State of Wisconsin--Enterprise Standards for

Information Technology• American Library Association (ALA) guidelines• Campus policies• Library policies, particularly Collection Development

(CD) policies

Web Accessibility Policies on UW campuses(4/2008)

II. Research on Accessibility

Type of e-resources to be studied• web pages*• online catalogs*• indexes & full-text databases* • federated searching (MetaLib etc.)* • resource discovery tools (ExLibris Primo etc)• electronic reference works • e-books • e-journals*• electronic reserve/pdf-formatted documents* • electronic help/reference desk• online tutorials & library guides• courseware (D2L etc.)* • online survey tools (Survey Monkey etc.)*

My sabbatical project

Literature SLIS Curriculum

ALA etc

Library CD Policy

& Practices

Library CD Policies and Practices

• Do selection criteria include accessibility for PwDs?– If not,

• was accessibility ever considered when selecting e-resources?• was its inclusion in CD policy ever discussed?• is it likely to be included at the next policy revision?

– If yes, • Which circumstances led to the incorporation of accessibility

into CD policy?• How is accessibility determined?• How much feedback do vendors receive?

Two samples

Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Members– 24 out of 27 included in survey– 1,600-6,500 FTE

UWSP comprehensives– 10 out of 11 participated– 5,000-10,800 FTE

Methodology

• CD Policy analysis• Phone survey

Type of policy

No policy

No longer used

Very general

With special e-resourcessection

SeparateE-resourcespolicy

COPLAC 1 2 12 7 2

UW comprehensives

0 0 3 5 1

CD policies and accessibility component?

All policies

Policies w/ accessibility component

Addition of accessibilitycomponent discussedin past

Addition of accessibility component anticipated

COPLAC 25 1 2 Yes/probably

14 (8)

Considered 4 (3)

Should be 2 (1)

UW comprehensives 10 4 3 Yes/probably

5 (1)

Considered 0 (0)Should be 1 (1)

E-resource selection and accessibility?

All policies


Despite lack of acess. component in policy, was access. ever considered during e-resource selection?

COPLAC 25 1 7

UW comprehensives 10 4 3

Instances when accessibility was considered despite policy (WI)

• When considering Proquest’s Press Display database; some push from a students with disabilities group.

• When comparing ebrary and Ebsco’s ebooks.• When considering e-book platforms; liked ebrary’s e-

reader option.

When the addition of an accessibility component to the CD policy was discussed in the past, why was it not included?

COPLAC (2)Will be added in next revision. (x2)

WI (3)Oversight, related to the primarily print-focused nature of the CD policy.Colleague with visual impairment retired; issue now less talked about.Discussion with Disability Coordinator; focus shifted to relocating assistive technology to a less isolated area in the Library.

Questions CD policies addressing accessibility

Which circumstances led to the incorporation of accessibility into CD policy at Sonoma State University (1)

• OCR Compliance Review at California Community Colleges, 1996-98

• Issue: Access to print and computer-based information for students with visual impairments

• Findings/Ruling (1998): – Web-pages are typically not designed accessibly.– Concept of accessibility should be firmly integrated

into the development of distance education programs and services, including campus web pages.


• The California State University Board of Trustees Policy on Disability Support and Accommodations - Executive Order Number 926 (2004): Information Resources and TechnologiesInformation Resources and Technologies refer to all programs and services provided to students, faculty, staff, and the general public through computer or electronic media. This includes, but is not limited to computer and network access and services, computer-delivered or enhanced instruction, library electronic information resources, library online catalogs and homepages, campus informational web sites, computer-delivered or assisted administrative services, and voice and video programs and services.It is the policy of the CSU to make information technology resources and services accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff and the general public regardless of disability.

• SSU accessible technology initiative http://www.sonoma.edu/accessibility/ • CSU accessible technology initiative http://www.calstate.edu/accessibility/ • CSU signed memorandum guiding ATI implementation

http://www.calstate.edu/AcadAff/codedmemos/AA-2013-03.html


The CSU's Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) --Jan 2013Its implementation is driven by the following principles:•Technology accessibility is an institution-wide responsibility that requires commitment and involvement from leadership across the enterprise.•Technology access for individuals with disabilities must provide comparable functionality, affordability, and timeliness and should be delivered in as seamless a manner as possible.•The implementation of Universal Design principles should reduce the need for, and costs associated with, individual accommodations for inaccessible technology products.

Which circumstances led to the incorporation of accessibility into CD policy at four UW comprehensives?

Inspired by 2002 CDC/UW System Libraries Guidelines for a Shared Electronic Collection, which states that “evidence of progress by vendors to meet the accessibility needs of those with disabilities” is to be considered.

CD librarian served on committee in which the needs of students with print disabilities were discussed.

Librarian with research interest in this area.

Campus had adopted an Online Accessibility Policy.

Campus has Disabilities Services & Vocational Rehabilitation Institiutehigh sensitivity to disability-related issues and increased visibility of PwDs on campus.

Campus has a strong mission to serve students with disabilities.

Required vs. Desired

All policies


Required or Desired/Preferred

COPLAC 25 1 exceptions need to be justified

1

UW comprehensives 10 4 preferred/to be considered

3

to be considered & exceptions must be justified

1

Is accessibility always discussed?

All policies


Is accessibility always discussed when e-resources is considered for procurement?

COPLAC 25 1 yes 1

UW comprehensives 10 4 yes 1often 1sometimes 1almost never 1

Reasons for not discussing accessibility

• assumes that others will look into it• takes accessibility for granted• typically not perceived to be a problem

Source for accessibility information

All policies


Information sources (accessibility)

COPLAC 25 1 vendor 1

UW comprehensives 10 4 Vendor only 2

Vendor & Eyeballing

1

na 1

Terminology used when asking vendors about accessibility

All policies


Terminology used

COPLAC 25 1 Section 508 conformance, VPAT

1

UW comprehensives 10 4 ADA 2Accessible 2Section 508 conformance

1

na 1

Was it ever the case that an e-resource was not selected, or deselected, because it was inaccessible?

All policies


Ever NOT selected, or deselected

COPLAC 25 1 Yes 1

UW comprehensives 10 4 Yes 0

No 3

Yes (system) & No (campus)

1

Do you provide vendors with specific reasons why their product was selected, or not selected?

All policies


Provide specific reasons for selection decision?

COPLAC 25 1 ?

UW comprehensives 10 4 Yes 1

Often 1

To some extent

1

No 1

ALA Guidelines (1)

Assn. for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) Collection Management Section

Chief Collection Development Officers of Large Research Libraries (CCDO) Interest Group

The CCDO Interest Group meeting included presentations and discussion topics. Please see topic list below. Thirty-two members were present; approximately thirty nonmembers also attended.

Topics included:•University accessibility policies: E-resources and compliance with federal law•E-books and cooperative collection development•The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine: to link or copy/harvest?•arXiv update•Financial support models for open access initiatives•The uncertain world of videos: preservation issues and collection development for research libraries•Distance education, massive open online courses, content, and online course support: the role of the library?

ALCTS Newsletter Online (Dec. 2012)

ALA Guidelines (2)



ALA Council

Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources Resolution ALA Council Document #52 (Revised 7.14.09)

“That the American Library Association (ALA) strongly recommends:

1. That all libraries purchasing, procuring, using, maintaining and contracting for electronic resources and services require vendors to guarantee that products and services comply with Section 508 regulations, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, or other applicable accessibility standards and guidelines; and

2. That all libraries purchasing, procuring, and contracting for electronic resources and services ensure, through their own testing protocols or by requiring vendor guarantees, that electronic products and services have been fully tested and found to be in compliance with applicable accessibility regulations, guidelines, and criteria; and

3. That funding authorities, including private institutions, the federal government and state and local governments, provide adequate funding to allow all libraries purchasing, procuring, and contracting for electronic resources and services the ability to comply with accepted standards and laws of accessibility for people with disabilities.”

ALA Guidelines (3)



ALA Council Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)

Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) Materials Reviewing Committee

Elements for Basic Reviews: A Guide for Writers and Readers of Reviews of Works in All Mediums and Genres Developed April 2005 by the ALA/RUSA CODES Materials Reviewing Committee

4. ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

4.1.3. Functionality. Evaluation of how well the technology of the product or site works.

• Testing. Ideally, products should be tested on multiple computers with different connection speeds, computer memory, operating systems, or browsers.

• Indicate whether the actual product or a sample database is being tested.

• Indicate whether a full release or a beta version is being tested.

• Evaluate ease of navigation.

• Evaluate load times and speed of product.

• Indicate easy or advanced modes. Intuitive for the novice; more sophisticated features for the expert.

• Indicate the ability to print, save, or email data.

• If the resource includes multimedia elements (e.g., audio or video), are special equipment or helper applications needed?

Collection Development Literature Analysis

Research Questions

• Is accessibility of e-resources, as it applies to PwD, on the radar screen?

• If so, is it– consistently covered where appropriate?– covered in any depth?• Is “ADA compliance” explained?• Will selectors learn what specific questions to ask?

• Is there any detectable trend?

Books on Collection Development

Focus # of books (total)

CD general 9

CD e-resources 23

E-books 2

E-journal 1

Digital repositories/digitized coll. 3

Subject specific 2

All 40

CD general (examples)

• Peggy Johnson, Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management (2nd ed.)—ALA 2009

• Evans & Saponaro, Collections Development Basics (6th ed.) 2012

• Mack (ed.), Collection Development Policies. New Directions for Changing Collections (copubl. in "The Acquisitions Librarian") 2003

• Clement & Foy, Collection Development in a Changing Environment. Policies and Organization for College and University Libraries. CLIP Note #42 (ALA/ACRL) 2010

CD e-resources (examples)

• Kovacs, The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library Collection Development (2nd ed.) 2009

• Lee (ed.), Collection Management and Strategic access to Digital Resources. The New Challenge for Research Libraries (copubl. in J. of Library Administration) 2005

• Brumley, Electronic Collection Management Forms, Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines Manual. 2009

• Bleiler & Livingston, Evaluating E-resources (SPEC Kit 316, ARL) 2010

Books on Collection Development

Focus # of books (total) # of books addressing accessibility at least once

CD general 9 1

CD e-resources 23 9

E-books 2 1

E-journal 1 1

Digital repositories/digitized coll.

3 0

Subject specific 2 0

All 40 12

Accessibility coverage by year

Year range Total # of pubs # of books addressing accessibility at least once

% of books addressing accessibility at least once

2001-2003 6 1 17%

2004-2006 14 4 29%

2007-2009 7 3 43%

2010-2012 9 3 33%

All 36 11 30%

Language used

• Compliant with text-to-speech software or other enabling technology (Kovac 2000)

• "flexibitity of the software to accommodate users with disabilities," ADA compliance. (Yu & Breivold, 2008)

• Conformance to accepted standards for disabled access (Stuart Lee, 2002)

• "disability compliance (e.g. ADA)” (Bleiler & Livingston, 2010)• “ADA-friendly” (Wikoff, 2012)

Lack of consistency (1a)

Curtis, E-Journal. A How-To-Do-It Manual for Building, Managing, and Supporting Electronic Journal Collections (2004)•3-page section on “Serving users with Disabilities, covering equipment, accessibility standards, and product compliance”

Lack of consistency (1b)

There are a few things you can do to help improve vendors’ efforts in making their e-journal accessible to all of your users:

•Become familiar with the WCAG design guidelines•Make product accessibility an issue among your colleagues•Test products using your library’s assistive technology•Talk to e-journal providers at conference and during sales visits•Include accessibility requirements in RFPs

Lack of consistency (1c)

Appendix: Sample policies and sample evaluation E-Journal Collection Policy for Paid Subscription

C. Accessibility Accessible by IP recognition Accessible to walk-in library users Easy to print and download Readable on computer screens Response time must be within acceptable limits Not requiring a proprietary plug-in

Lack of consistency (2)

Wikoff, Electronic Resources management in the Academic Library. A professional Guide. (2012)•"ADA-friendly" incl. among selection criteria in sample policy (Appendix A)•Nowhere else addressed or explained– Ch. 2 - Acquiring Electronic Resources – Ch. 6 - Evaluating E-Resources

Depth of coverage (1)

• Jacobs (ed.), Electronic Resources Librarianship and management of Digital Information: Emerging Professional Roles, 2007– Cheryl Riley, “The Electronic Resources (ER) Librarian & Patrons with

Disabilities,” pp. 83-98.

• Curtis, E-Journal. A How-To-Do-It Manual for Building, Managing, and Supporting Electronic Journal Collections (2004)– 3-page section on “Serving users with Disabilities, covering

equipment, accessibility standards, and product compliance


• Yu and Breivold, Electronic Resource Management in Libraries. Research and Practice (2012, 416 p.).“It is important to determine … the flexibility of the software to accommodate users with disabilities or compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” p.52.[Accessibility is not addressed in the following checklist (pp. 54-56).]


• Evans & Saponaro, Collections Development Basics (6th ed) 2012– Acknowledge potential conflict between DRM and accessibility– Discuss needs of users with disabilities …

• … facilities, physical environment, large print alternatives, mechanical and human assistance (which “must be provided”).

• “Digital materials and even library Websites raise similar access issues. Knowing what percentage of the service community might call for such assistance helps plan fund allocations.”


Vicki Gregory, Collection Development and Management for 21st Century Library Collections. An Introduction. (2011).

2 pages discussing ADA issues, focusing exclusively on Alternative formats (large print, video) Variety of hardware and software National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

No apparent awareness that the design of resources matters.

Summary and Proposed Best Practices

Summary

• The vast majority of CD policies in small-to-mid-sized public universities do not address accessibility. (The UW comprehensives did relatively well.)

• Even if they do, accessibility is often not considered during the selection process.

• The assumption is sometimes made that vendors are now aware of the problems and have designed accessible products.

• Accessibility claims are not collaborated through vendor-independent venues.

• The importance of accessibility is not consistently communicated to vendors.

• Most books on CD do not address accessibility at all.• Those which do rarely do so consistently and in sufficient depth.• The terminology used is often to vague to be of any practical value.

Best Practices

What to ask for?

• Conformance to the latest accessibility guidelines/standards– Currently WCAG 2.0, level AA– the (new) Section 508

• Functionally usable with currently used assistive technology (Ron Stewart’s recommendation)

Required or desirable

1. E-resources must conform to WCAG 2.0.

2. If possible, e-resources should conform to WCAG 2.0.

3. Selectors must consider accessibility along with other criteria.

What to ask vendors

• Does your product conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA, guidelines?

• Has your product been tested for usability by people with disabilities using assistive technology

• Could you please give a brief demo how your product works with the NVDA screenreader?

• Your website states that you are working on improving your product’s accessibility. This statement has been there for at least a year. What specific progress have you made?

Special point to make when talking with librarians about online accessibility

• Build-in accessibility features may work fine if for people who can see the screen.

• Blind people, who can’t see the screen, would want to access the resource with their own assistive technology.

• Just relying on program’s build-in accessibility features is not enough.

From UWSP’s CD Policy

The University Library shall comply with the UWSP Online Accessibility Policy, which requires developers and selectors of online resources to strive for compliance with relevant Section 508 standards. The University Library is working towards the establishment of an online information infrastructure that is accessible and usable for all, including people with disabilities. Decision-making pertaining to the development or procurement of online resources will, if applicable, involve the following:

•Gaining familiarity with, and implementing, state-of-the art accessible design practices for the product in question.

•Taking into account the accessibility of products or services under consideration.

•Requiring vendors to provide documentation pertaining to their products' accessibility (conformance to Section 508).

•Inquiring about their products' usability for users of assistive technology (outcomes of usability testing).

•Consulting the literature about the accessibility of the considered resources.

•Discussing more accessible alternatives.

•Documenting the reasons for selecting an inaccessible resource in the Library's Collection Development Committee minutes.

•Including accessibility as a desired resource quality in RFPs (Requests for Proposals).

Information about accessibility

• Vendors• Research• Accessibility to Library Databases Wiki• Libraries for Universal Accessibility• Usability testing on campus– Collaborate with Assistive Tech/Disability Service

staff– Your own testing (NVDA)

Any questions?

Accessibility of electronic library resources:

Documents

Transcript of Accessibility of electronic library resources: