How do you measure library accessibility for all users?

1 Accessibility standards and guidelines

One of the first steps to measure library accessibility is to familiarize yourself with the relevant accessibility standards and guidelines that apply to your library. These may include national, regional, or local laws and regulations, as well as professional or industry best practices. For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets the minimum requirements for accessibility in public buildings and services, while the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide recommendations for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. By following these standards and guidelines, you can ensure that your library meets the basic expectations and obligations for accessibility.

2 Accessibility audits and assessments

Another way to measure library accessibility is to conduct accessibility audits and assessments, which are systematic evaluations of how well your library meets the accessibility standards and guidelines. Accessibility audits and assessments can be done internally by your staff or externally by experts or consultants. They can cover various aspects of your library, such as the physical environment, the web presence, the collections, the programs, and the staff training. Accessibility audits and assessments can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your library's accessibility, as well as provide recommendations and action plans for improvement.

3 Accessibility feedback and surveys

A third method to measure library accessibility is to collect and analyze feedback and surveys from your users and stakeholders. Feedback and surveys can help you understand the experiences, needs, and preferences of your users, as well as their satisfaction and challenges with your library's accessibility. Feedback and surveys can be obtained through various channels, such as online forms, comment boxes, focus groups, interviews, or social media. Feedback and surveys can help you measure the impact and effectiveness of your library's accessibility, as well as discover new ideas and suggestions for enhancement.

4 Accessibility metrics and indicators

A fourth technique to measure library accessibility is to use metrics and indicators, which are quantifiable measures of your library's accessibility performance. Metrics and indicators can help you monitor and track your library's progress and achievements in improving accessibility over time. Metrics and indicators can be derived from various sources, such as the accessibility audits and assessments, the feedback and surveys, or the library's statistics and data. Some examples of accessibility metrics and indicators are the number of accessible materials in your collection, the percentage of web pages that comply with WCAG, or the rate of user complaints or compliments related to accessibility.

5 Accessibility tools and resources

A fifth and final tip to measure library accessibility is to leverage the tools and resources that are available to help you with the process. There are many tools and resources that can assist you with measuring library accessibility, such as checklists, guides, manuals, templates, software, or websites. For example, you can use the Accessible Library Services Checklist from the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) to evaluate your library's accessibility in various areas, or you can use the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) from WebAIM to check your web pages for accessibility errors and warnings. By using these tools and resources, you can save time and effort, as well as learn from the best practices and examples of other libraries.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?