NCompass Live: Breaking Barriers: The Importance of Digital Accessibility

NCompass Live - March 5, 2025
https://nlc.nebraska.gov/NCompassLive/

This online workshop is designed specifically for small public libraries. Ensuring accessibility for all patrons is critical and required. This workshop will equip participants with practical tools and strategies to create a more inclusive digital environment. The session will explore the foundational principles of digital accessibility, focusing on real-world applications for websites, online catalogs, and digital communication. Participants will learn how to identify common accessibility barriers and implement solutions that benefit users with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or alternative input devices. Through interactive activities, case studies, and live demonstrations, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how digital accessibility fosters equity and expands community engagement. They will leave the workshop with actionable steps and resources to make immediate improvements, regardless of technical expertise or budget constraints.

Presenter: Pam Doran, Digital Accessibility Coordinator, SUNY Empire State University, Hillsdale, NY.

1. Welcome!

2. What is Digital Accessibility? Digital accessibility refers to designing and developing websites, applications, and content in a way that ensures all users, including those with disabilities, can access, understand, and use them effectively. This could involve assistive technologies, like screen readers, or principles of inclusive design that accommodate diverse needs.

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6. The Scope of Accessibility Needs Accessibility isn't just about vision impairment; it includes auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities. For instance, someone with a motor disability may need alternative ways to navigate content without using a mouse. Interestingly, accessible design improves the experience for everyone—think of curb cuts, which were originally created for wheelchair users but also benefit those pushing strollers or rolling luggage. 6 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

7. Legal and Ethical Considerations In many countries, digital accessibility is required by law. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Section 508, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ( WCAG ) set standards that organizations must meet. But beyond legal compliance, there is an ethical obligation—providing equal access to information is fundamental to creating an inclusive society. 7

8. Avoiding Legal Risks Non-compliance with accessibility standards can lead to serious legal consequences, including lawsuits. Staying compliant is not just about avoiding penalties, it’s about demonstrating respect and consideration for all users. 8

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10. The Importance of Creating Accessible Content When digital content is accessible, everyone benefits. Accessible content is more usable, intuitive, and better organized, making it easier for all users to interact with it, regardless of their abilities. 10 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

11. Expanding Audience Reach Nearly 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. By creating accessible content, you aren't just serving a small niche—you're opening up your content to a significant part of the market. And it’s not only about disabilities; accessible content also benefits aging populations and people with temporary impairments, like a broken arm or an ear infection. 11

12. Leadership and Advocacy Being an advocate for accessibility within your organization makes you a natural leader. You can guide teams toward more inclusive practices, influence design choices, and help shape company policies that ensure equal access for all. 12

13. Practical Steps to Create Accessible Content 13

14. Screen Reader Demo What is the experience for a user? This video is a sample of JAWS reading the content of a website out loud What are your thoughts about highlighting, URLs and bold text after listening? Following WCAG guidelines creates clean design and makes a website an enjoyable experience for everyone View Video on Youtube

15. Text Content Use proper heading structures to organize content hierarchically—this makes it easier for screen reader users to navigate. Choose fonts that are easy to read and ensure high contrast between text and background for those with low vision. 15

16. Links - Best Practices Guidelines from NYSED : Use concise and meaningful text for links Do not capitalize all letters in links Avoid using URLs for link text Do not use the word "link" as part of the link text Do not use tooltips/ screentips to add additional information WCAG Technical Standards Combine adjacent links with the same destination WCAG 2.0 A 1.1.1 Avoid using the same link text for different destinations WCAG 2.0 A 2.4.4  

17. Links - Examples Examples of Accessible vs. Inaccessible Links Accessible Hypertext Link: For additional information about the new Department of Justice Rules on Accessibility, visit The ADA's Fact Sheet . Inaccessible Hypertext Links: Avoid:  For additional information about the new Department of Justice Rules on Accessibility, visit click here . Avoid:  For additional information about the new Department of Justice Rules on Accessibility, visit https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/ .

18. Images and Graphics Images should always have alt text that clearly describes their purpose. For complex graphics, consider providing a more detailed description or a text version. ChatGPT and Gen AI can help you! 18

19. Multimedia Multimedia content such as videos should include captions, and audio content should have transcripts. These measures ensure that people with hearing impairments can engage just as fully as others. Make sure there isn’t any flashing content. MS Word can help you! 19

20. Accessibility Checkers There are several useful tools to help evaluate accessibility, such as WAVE, Axe, Silktide and Lighthouse. Demonstrating these tools can help demystify the testing process and make accessibility feel more approachable. The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the gold standard in accessibility practices. They provide a structured approach to making your content accessible to everyone. Encourage ongoing learning by recommending courses, tutorials, and webinars on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or even YouTube. Accessibility is a skill that evolves, and continued education is key. 20

21. Building Your Accessibility Skills Join professional groups like the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) or LinkedIn Learning focused on accessibility. Attend conferences and webinars to connect with others and keep up with best practices. Staying Informed Accessibility is a rapidly evolving field. Follow blogs, listen to podcasts, and keep up with influencers who are leading the way in accessibility to ensure your knowledge remains current. 21

22. Let's try some tools now... Live demo... 22

23. Questions? [email protected] 23