Knowledge and Library Services formed the Accessibility and Usability group. The key purpose of the group is ‘to assess and improve the accessibility and usability of KLS services and spaces.’
Usability vs Accessibility
The two terms are related but are two different concepts. These references help to explain the two terms.
- Accessibility means “people are not excluded from using something on the basis of experiencing a disability”; What we mean when we talk about accessibility, Alistair Duggin, 16 May 2016.
- “Usability is a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use.” Usability 101: Introduction to Usability, Jakob Nielsen, 3 January 2012.
We identified some areas where we felt it is important to ensure our services are accessible and user-friendly. Each one has been split into different tasks or priorities.
Improving Our Web Presence
Enhancing Technical Accessibility
This involves ensuring that our website is designed and developed in a way that accommodates users with diverse technical abilities and disabilities. It encompasses measures like compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and adherence to web accessibility standards (such as WCAG).
Streamlining Web Content
- Simplifying Language and Reducing Content Length: to make our website more user-friendly, we aim to simplify the language used and reduce the length of our web pages. This helps in conveying information more clearly and concisely.
- Enhancing Navigation Based on User Journeys: by tailoring the website’s navigation to suit the specific paths users take when seeking information, we aim to make it easier for them to find what they need swiftly and effortlessly.
Improving Physical Spaces
Assessing Current Spaces: conducting an audit of our physical spaces to evaluate their accessibility and usability. This involves examining factors such as wheelchair access, signage clarity, and layout to ensure all users can comfortably utilize these spaces.
Enhancing Marketing Materials
- Optimizing Newsletters and Marketing Materials: we’re focused on enhancing the readability and accessibility of our newsletters, emails, posters, and other promotional materials. This includes using clear language and suitable formatting.
- Reducing Reliance on PDFs: limiting the use of PDF documents as they can present accessibility challenges, and opting for more accessible formats to ensure everyone can access the information effortlessly.
Improving Training Delivery and Materials
- Ensuring Core Slides are Accessible: making sure that the fundamental training materials, such as core slides, are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
- Guidance for Creating Custom Materials: providing guidance for creating customized training materials that adhere to accessibility standards, ensuring inclusivity.
- Accessible Training Delivery: offering training materials in advance to attendees to facilitate better understanding and accessibility during training sessions.
- Preparing for Attendee Needs: collecting information from attendees in advance to accommodate specific accessibility requirements they might have during the training sessions.
- Adding Video Transcripts and Captions: providing transcripts and captions for videos to assist users who may have hearing impairments or prefer reading the content.
Enhancing Procurement and Online Resources
- Accessibility Guidance for Online Resources: providing guidelines and statements to ensure that the online resources we procure are accessible to all users, adhering to established accessibility standards.
- Choosing Between eBooks and Print Books: offering guidance on selecting between digital (eBooks) and physical (print books) resources, considering their accessibility features and usability for our diverse user base.
- Incorporating Accessibility in Procurement: including enquiries about accessibility compliance when procuring new resources and systems, ensuring that accessibility remains a priority throughout the procurement process.
Would you like to share your feedback on our advent calendar and contents? Please complete this short, three question form.
Back to 12 Days of Christmas 2023.
