Web Accessibility: Practical Advice for the Library and Information Professional

With ever greater provision of resources in electronic formats, formal recognition is increasingly being given to the growing awareness within the information profession that it is a moral duty as well as a legal requirement to take every feasible step to ensure that no one is excluded from access to goods and services, including web-based information and resources.

This timely book provides a practical introduction to web accessibility and usability specifically for information professionals, offering advice from a range of experts and experienced practitioners on the concerns relevant to library and information organizations. Contents include:

tools used for widening access to the web

Design for All - how web accessibility affects different people

the importance of web accessibility

accessibility advice and guidance

accessibility evaluation and assessment

issues for library and information services

Design for All in the library and information science curriculum

best practice examples of web accessibility

web accessibility in the future.

Although its main focus is on UK legislation and other requirements, many of the featured guidelines and recommendations are of an international nature, so are transferable to other countries.

Readership: This approachable guide will enable information practitioners and students new to web accessibility to gain a good understanding of the issues involved in this vital area. The book can be used as a resource for developing staff training and awareness activities, or for developing course content. It will also be of value to website managers involved in web design and development who need to broaden a basic understanding of accessibility and usability issues.