#43144
Speaker(s)
- Rebecca Albrecht Oling, Director of Digital Accessibility, Purchase College Library SUNY
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
With this session, we will highlight two specific projects to create a more equitable campus experience and “soft lead” on accessibility across campus
In '22, the "Leading from the Center: Digital Accessibility Efforts Through the Library" session posited that the Library could have a more central role in bringing digital accessibility efforts to the fore at any college or university. Title II changes pushed libraries further into areas where we may not have been as proactive with digital accessibility. With this session, we will highlight two specific projects that I believe helped us "soft lead" our campus to a more equitable playing field.
Abstract
Our Targeted eBook Upgrade project not only allowed us to focus collection efforts on high-use, high-risk items, but also reduced copyright infringement and, we believe, helped teaching faculty feel more supported. Our Institutional Repository efforts shifted focus to appeal to students to ensure they checked for accessibility before submitting student projects to our institutional repository. In both cases, the Library sought to fill a gap and create a path for soft leadership on accessibility efforts.
At a time our campus was suffering enrollment issues and the resulting financial pressures, both projects paved the way for productive movement not only towards more accessible collections, but also greater awareness overall. Lessons learned and communications plans will be shared.
Keypoints
- Libraries can bridge the gap between policy and practice
- Shifting from the language of compliance and enforcement invites change
- Library-controlled workflows and systems might allow greater accessibility at scale
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Campus & System-wide initiatives, Faculty Development & Support, Legal, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Rebecca Albrecht Oling
Rebecca Albrecht Oling (MLS, CPACC) is the Director of Digital Accessibility at Purchase College, SUNY. A native New Yorker with a background in education, librarianship, and accessibility, she is also a rare disease patient, advocate and speaker.