“The ACRL Instruction Section, Instructional Technologies Committee, has published their latest Tips and Trends article, “Accessibility and Universal Design,” written by Bonnie L. Fong, Elizabeth M. Johns, and Becka Rich. Tips and Trends introduces and discusses new, emerging or even familiar technologies that can be used in library instruction.“Accessibility and Universal Design” is freely available at bit.ly/tipsandtrendsw17.”
From the article:
“Overview and Definition:
OXO Good Grips kitchen utensils. Large button light switches. Curb cuts. Mobile-friendly web
design. All of these originated in the movement towards accessibility and universal design (UD), and making life easier for more people.
Accessibility and UD are two separate, but related, concepts meant to consider the needs of different types of people and users. Accessibility puts an emphasis on supporting users with disabilities, whereas UD is broader, taking into account differences such as users’ gender, age, native language, and learning preference, to create a physical or virtual item that can be used by as many people as possible (DO-IT, University of Washington 2015).
When used together, accessibility and UD result in inclusive, barrier-free products that also meet legal compliance efforts. Libraries can adopt accessibility and UD guidelines to make services, teaching, and spaces more user-friendly”