Accessibility Information on Library Websites
An important part of making your library accessible is advertising that your library’s spaces and services are accessible and inclusive.
An important part of making your library accessible is advertising that your library’s spaces and services are accessible and inclusive. A public statement about your accessibility policy and assistive technologies, together with contact information for someone who can answer questions, is invaluable to those planning a visit and can help to set an inclusive and welcoming tone.
Below are a few examples I have come across over the years that show how different libraries approach this content on their websites.
- Michigan State University Libraries maintains an Accessibility section of their website that includes access and service information for users and also policy information.
- NCSU has an Accessibility page that covers physical access and available technology as well as contact details for those needing more information.
- Oberlin College Libraries has an Accessibility page that covers services, equipment, material retrieval information, and contact details for more information.
- UC Berkeley Library has a Disability Resources section of their website with pages for different types of disabilities, information on services, and contact details for those who need more information.
- Boston Public Library has an Accessibility Resources and Services page that covers access, services, and equipment.
- New York Public Library separates their information onto multiple pages: Accessibility, Services for Persons with Disabilities, For Patrons with Physical Disabilities, & For Patrons with Print Disabilities or Visual Impairments.
- San Francisco Public Library has two pages, one their Accessibility Policy for Commission public meetings and another with Accessibility Services.
- The Bodleian Library has a page called Information for disabled readers. It includes access information, resources, and contact details for those needing more information.
- Cambridge University Library has a Readers with disabilities section on their site that includes building access and parking information, assistive technology information, contact details for those needing more information, and fire evacuation information.
- The British Library has an Accessibility page that covers access, using their facilities, emergency procedures, and contact information.
This is far from a complete list of libraries that offer online accessibility information, but hopefully these sites will give you a sense of the different approaches that libraries have taken to sharing this information. If you know of other libraries that have accessibility information online, please let me know by filling out this form.
