As the first step, use the checklists below and compare your library features against it. For any physical or electronic features that match your library's offerings, plan to do a regular audit of its usability and accessibility to a variety of users. While you can use some automated tools to assess the accessibility of your electronic items, you'll also want to establish protocols for gathering feedback from users: observations of use patterns, surveys, and/or focus groups. Working in collaboration with local Disability Services colleagues is highly recommended. Additionally, involving users with disabilities in the creation of accessibility plans and solutions for current accessibility issues can present ideas that a non-disabled person might not be aware of.

ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

 Jessica Schomberg and Chris Corley: Asking the Right Questions: Accessibility and Library Study Rooms

Physical Accessibility

To ensure that all students/patrons are able to locate and navigate through physical spaces within a library so they can actually use library services.

• Entrances pose unique barriers to patrons with vision, motor, and mobility disabilities. 
  • Building Entrances
  • Elevator Entrances
  • Restroom Entrances
  • Doors to the restroom stalls
  • Study and event room entrances
  • Library service points
• Restrooms
  • Door handles
  • Toilet paper dispenser
  • Seat cover dispensers
  • Grab bars
  • Soap and paper towel dispensers
  • Accessible sink 
• Pathways
  • ADA compliance
  • Signage showing main routes within the library as accessible routes
• Ramps
  • Gradual incline
  • Communicate alternative navigation
  • Rails and nonslip grip
• Elevators
  • ADA compliance: landing space, width of doors, height of call buttons, etc.
• Water Fountains
  • Accessible water fountain
• Collection Stacks
  • Accessible width between stacks - wide aisles
  • Shorter shelving units. If this is not possible, at least a signage to inform patrons how they can seek help from library staff
• Service Points (Circulation, Self Checkout, Reference)
  • Close to an elevator and accessible bathroom
  • Height of the service desk accessible to a wheelchair user
  • Common office supplies within reach of a wheelchair user
  • Print handouts available in large print, upon request
  • Handouts in braille, upon request
• Navigation Signage
  • High contrast colors and large font
  • Combination of language, symbols, and maps
  • Audio tour
• Computer Labs and Study Rooms
  • ADA compliance: aisle space, desk height, etc
  • Assistive technology: enlarged keyboard, screen reading software

Marrall, Rebecca M. Developing a Library Accessibility Plan : A Practical Guide for Librarians. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Group, 2020. Print. Practical Guides for Librarians ; No. 66.

To ensure all users can successfully use e-resources in library.

• Websites:
  • WCAG 2.1 standards compliance
  • Website navigation: screen readers, voice command, special keyboards
• Databases and Library Catalogs
  • Headers for search boxes/bars
  • Keyboard navigation indicators
  • Alternate text for images
  • Item records display
• Streaming Video and Audiovisual Content
  • Closed captions
  • Descriptive video (DV) or audio description
  • Transcripts if CC and DV not available
• Applications and Software
  • VPAT - voluntary product assessment template: free proprietary evaluation tool given to vendors

Marrall, Rebecca M. Developing a Library Accessibility Plan : A Practical Guide for Librarians. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Group, 2020. Print. Practical Guides for Librarians ; No. 66.

Brunskill, Amelia Without That Detail, I’m Not Coming”: The Perspectives of Students with Disabilities on Accessibility Information Provided on Academic Library Websites

• Events/Workshops
  • Accessibility Statement for Advertisements and Fliers
  • Inquire with instructor whether disability accommodations are required and prepare accordingly: large print handouts, closed captions, descriptive video, sign language or live captioning, depending on the type of accommodation.
• Library Tours
  • Create accessible route
  • Provide a library tour transcript for heard of hearing and deaf users
  • Create a large print script for vision related disabilities, available upon request