Accessibility Information Toolkit for Libraries

Mobilizing Local Expertise to Produce a Consortial Tool

Lisa Gayhart, Digital Communications Services Librarian, ITS, University of TorontoAnika Ervin-Ward, Administrations and Communications Coordinator, OCULKatya Pereyaslavska, Accessibility Librarian, Scholars Portal, OCUL

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are you ready? Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

January 1, 2015Accessible formats and communication supportsEducational libraries - print-based resourcesProducers of educational or training material - Textbooks

The AODA has two regulations, the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service (Customer Service Standard) and The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191/11 (IASR).

Information and Communication Standard (relevant sections to libraries 12, 15 & 18)

January 1, 2014All new internet websites and web content on those sites going back to January 1, 2012 must conform with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AAccessible feedback processes

January 1, 2020Educational libraries - multi-media/digital resourcesProducers of educational or training material - Supplementary print materials

January 1, 2021All internet websites and web content must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AAA (excluding live captioning and audio description)

ACE Pilot (Nov 2012 - Nov 2013)

EnAbling Change grant = shared digital repository of accessible texts + an information toolkit

reporting structure

Enabling Change Program, Ontario Ministry University of Toronto

Steering Committee

Advisory Committee

Repository Working Group

Toolkit Working Groups

…some kind of toolkit

Toolkit purpose – to support OCUL institutions in AODA compliance

-Targeted audience-Developing best practices-Linking to existing projects + tools-Distilling essential information-Developing a tool which can continue evolving

group workflow First meeting with 17 members from 9 OCUL schools to

establish a work plan and timelines Division into three sub-groups with three chairs and varied

areas of focus in:• public services• law and administration• procurement

Establishment of communication practices, frequency of meetings, and assignment of tasks

Tight timeframe meant faster work pace Provision of environmental scan documents for focus areas

Accessibility Information ToolkitHelping OCUL members to prepare and respond to the AODA in three focus areas:

Public ServicesProcurementLaw & Administration

Direct links to supporting informationExplaining the AODA language and requirementsOffering best practices and sample policy languageHighlighting practices and formats which are inherently inaccessibleEmphasis on collaborative problem-solving

toolkit access

managing expectations

Abstract concept

Timeframe

Basic outline

OCUL objective

“Engage with OCUL members in support of an exceptional learning experience for Ontario students”

communications

SPOTdocs wiki

Google docs

Conference calls

Frequent emails

leadershipKeeping groups on track

Working through the summer months

Keeping discussions focused

Prioritizing work

Ensuring that deliverables meet community needs

Lessons learned

Working with distributed groups

Integrated telecommunications

Archive of group discussions

format decisions

• Introduction

• Three sections- Effectively linking to existing projects- Section cross-references to avoid content repetition

• Acknowledgements• Glossary (to be published)

copyright?

Deciding on appropriate license:

•Canadian vs. international use•Commercial repurposing•Future modification of content•Original vs. borrowed content

http://creativecommons.org/choose/

the future?

http://www.ocul.on.ca/node/2214

future formats

Interactive website Webinars

• June, July and August Workshops Version 2 and French version #OCULtoolkit Feedback? ocul@ocul.on.ca

QUESTIONS?

Access the toolkit:http://www.ocul.on.ca/node/2127

Feedback: ocul@ocul.on.ca