Accessibility and Digitization

During the past American Library Association conference, the Council adopted this resolution dealing with accessibility and digitization:

---

Accessible Digitization Projects Resolution

WHEREAS, ALA Policy 54.3.2 states that “library materials must be accessible to all patrons including people with disabilities”; and

WHEREAS, Technology has given libraries the mechanism to make materials available electronically; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Government had created regulations based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that ensures that its technology is accessible to its employees and the public; and

WHEREAS, ALA Council adopted a Resolution on Accessible Voting in 2004, which resolves that all electronic and information technology procurement (e.g. internet resources, telephony, captioned and audio described videos) shall follow the standards established by Section 508, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association strongly encourages all libraries engaging in digitization projects to adopt Section 508 regulations to ensure that they are creating versions of materials that are accessible to persons using screen-reader or other assistive technologies; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That ALA forwards this resolution to other agencies and organizations that help libraries digitize their materials and design access software, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and state library agencies, and to companies that work with libraries and other entities doing digitization projects.

Adopted by the Council of the American Library Association
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
In Washington, D.C.

---

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act passed in 1998. Information regarding these standards can be found at the Section 508 website.

Explore posts in the same categories: Accessibility, Digital Libraries