Course

Ensuring that your digital services are accessible is vital. It is a legal requirement, but it's also essential for your users. Primo VE is a search tool that is used by hundreds of libraries. But making sure it's accessible can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this course that explores why and how you could audit the system for digital accessibility.  

Throughout the sections of this course, we will cover: 

• a basic understanding of digital accessibility
• your users 
• legislation requirements 
• the audit process  
• fixing issues you find

This topic dives into the world of accessibility! We'll explore what it means to make digital products usable by everyone, regardless of ability. We'll also discuss why testing for accessibility is crucial. Imagine missing out on potential users or even facing legal issues because your website or app isn't accessible! 

Click the icon below to learn more about the importance of accessibility in the "What is Accessibility?" section.

Your users are the most important part of your service. Without them, your library simply wouldn’t exist. But do you know what they really want? Do you understand what they really need? And most importantly, do you provide what they want in the ways that they need?

This section will explore the variety of needs your users may have and dig a little deeper into some personas to see some more of the nuances and subtleties of users’ experiences. 

In this topic, we will be looking at the different legislation and compliances that exist worldwide and how they affect academic libraries, which are considered public sector bodies.

Click the icon below to learn more about "Legislation and Compliance".

In this topic, we will be looking at how to audit Primo VE, a review of some of the auditing tools that exist, and the difference between automated tools and manual tools.

Select the icon below to learn more about the importance of accessibility in the "The audit process" section.

After auditing your website and finding issues, the next step is to fix them! In this section, we will explore how to fix the issues that are within your control. We will also look at how to get support from Ex Libris on more complex issues. Finally, we will consider what to do when something cannot be fixed.

In the final topic of this course, we will see the positive impact of applying what you've learned. You've covered the legislation and the details of how to audit. Now we are thinking about the people who will benefit from this work and the wider good that it will do.

We are going to focus on hidden disabilities and the co-benefits of accessible design.

Congratulations! This is the final part of the course, where you will be tested on what you have learnt.

Visit all the pages of the course, complete the final assessment, and earn your digital badge, demonstrating to others, but more importantly to yourself, that you have an understanding of digital accessibility and are committed to your Primo VE platform being accessible to everyone.