Universal Accessibility Interest Group

Thank you to everyone who participated in the August poll which asked, "How is Accessibility related to your job responsibilities?"  Have a look at the August results. I found it noteworthy that 8 responders noted that accessibility is in their job title or description, and 7 people indicated they are exploring how their own work or organization can move towards accessibility. While we are at different stages in our accessibility practice, we are united in our commitment to equitable libraries. 

From Global Accessibility Awareness Day in May to the ADA Anniversary in July, the calendar is full of events that celebrate disability and accessibility milestones. Next month, October, is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. The U.S. Dept. Of Labor shares promotional materials you can download or order for your library's events. Sharing resources and framing conversation around the employment aspect of accessibility (job skills, inclusive hiring practices, workplace accessibility, etc.) is a way for libraries and librarians to support users and library workers.  

Let's Discuss: What does your library have planned for disability and accessibility holidays this year?

Or what events have you seen at other institutions that you'd like to incorporate into your programming?  

For our quick poll this month, we'd like to know  the groups your work supports. See what your colleagues have to say. 

Thank you!

------------------------------
Catherine Lantz
Reference Librarian & Liaison
University of Illinois, Chicago
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Thus far, I (and no one else within the library to my knowledge) haven't done  a lot with events, in October or otherwise. However, I did join forces with our Digital Accessibility folks last year to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day- and the hope is to do this again this year.

My colleague Casey Hickey devised a 21 day accessibility learning pathway for the event that you can find on Northeastern's Digital Accessibility page. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the August poll which asked, "How is Accessibility related to your job responsibilities?"  Have a look at the August results. I found it noteworthy that 8 responders noted that accessibility is in their job title or description, and 7 people indicated they are exploring how their own work or organization can move towards accessibility. While we are at different stages in our accessibility practice, we are united in our commitment to equitable libraries. 

From Global Accessibility Awareness Day in May to the ADA Anniversary in July, the calendar is full of events that celebrate disability and accessibility milestones. Next month, October, is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. The U.S. Dept. Of Labor shares promotional materials you can download or order for your library's events. Sharing resources and framing conversation around the employment aspect of accessibility (job skills, inclusive hiring practices, workplace accessibility, etc.) is a way for libraries and librarians to support users and library workers.  

Let's Discuss: What does your library have planned for disability and accessibility holidays this year?

Or what events have you seen at other institutions that you'd like to incorporate into your programming?  

For our quick poll this month, we'd like to know  the groups your work supports. See what your colleagues have to say. 

Thank you!

------------------------------
Catherine Lantz
Reference Librarian & Liaison
University of Illinois, Chicago
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Thus far, I (and no one else within the library to my knowledge) haven't done  a lot with events, in October or otherwise. However, I did join forces with our Digital Accessibility folks last year to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day- and the hope is to do this again this year.

My colleague Casey Hickey devised a 21 day accessibility learning pathway for the event that you can find on Northeastern's Digital Accessibility page. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the August poll which asked, "How is Accessibility related to your job responsibilities?"  Have a look at the August results. I found it noteworthy that 8 responders noted that accessibility is in their job title or description, and 7 people indicated they are exploring how their own work or organization can move towards accessibility. While we are at different stages in our accessibility practice, we are united in our commitment to equitable libraries. 

From Global Accessibility Awareness Day in May to the ADA Anniversary in July, the calendar is full of events that celebrate disability and accessibility milestones. Next month, October, is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. The U.S. Dept. Of Labor shares promotional materials you can download or order for your library's events. Sharing resources and framing conversation around the employment aspect of accessibility (job skills, inclusive hiring practices, workplace accessibility, etc.) is a way for libraries and librarians to support users and library workers.  

Let's Discuss: What does your library have planned for disability and accessibility holidays this year?

Or what events have you seen at other institutions that you'd like to incorporate into your programming?  

For our quick poll this month, we'd like to know  the groups your work supports. See what your colleagues have to say. 

Thank you!

------------------------------
Catherine Lantz
Reference Librarian & Liaison
University of Illinois, Chicago
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------