Turning Policy Into Practice: A Library’s Journey Toward Digital Accessibility

Presented at 4:15 pm in Colorado G-H on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Speaker(s)

• Binky Lush, Manager, Discovery, Access and Web Services, Penn State University Libraries

Session Details

• Length of Session: 1-hr
• Format: Lecture
• Expertise Level: Beginner
• Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Learn how Penn State University Libraries is implementing our digital accessibility plan to meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. This session highlights key progress—building remediation workflows, engaging vendors, and developing new processes and training—powered by strong administrative support and cross-departmental collaboration.

Abstract

In response to the Department of Justice's 2023 rule requiring WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for all digital content by April 2026, the Penn State University Libraries launched a comprehensive Accessibility Project Plan. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how we’ve approached the creation and implementation of that plan—one that spans seven major areas of content and infrastructure, including local and hosted applications, electronic resources, open publishing, websites, and social media.

Now in our second year of implementation, we’ll share both the blueprint and the building blocks: how we developed cross-departmental workflows, implemented accessible content deposit and remediation systems, engaged vendors at scale, and created a Libraries-wide alternate format request process. We’ll also explore how administrative support and wide colleague engagement—across acquisitions, publishing, IT, and public services—have been critical to our progress.

Attendees will gain practical insights into developing their own accessibility plans, building sustainable testing and remediation processes, securing support from leadership, and fostering a culture of accessibility across complex organizations.

Keypoints

1. Implemented a Libraries-wide digital accessibility plan aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA.
2. Built sustainable testing, remediation, and vendor engagement workflows.
3. Fostered collaboration and administrative support to create a culture of accessibility.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Alternate Format, Captioning/Transcription, Procurement, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Binky Lush

Binky Lush is the Manager of Discovery Access and Web Services for the Penn State University Libraries in University Park, PA. She leads a number of teams in the Libraries focusing on enhancing the Libraries’ web site and discovery platforms to ensure an engaging, accessible, and user-centered search and discovery experience.