Greetings Library Staff,

Today, a new accessibility feature, accessiBe, was deployed on our website.   Please visit metrolibrary.org and locate the blue icon in the bottom right corner of our site.    

Over 20% of the population has a disability and over 98% of websites are inaccessible to those individuals.  The deployment of the accessiBe interface provides 100s of accessibility options for individuals who may be blind or be vision, motor or hearing impaired.  They also offer accessibility options for those with cognitive disorders and epilepsy.  accessiBe’s interface allows every visitor to our website to adjust our site to meet their individual needs or disability without changing the site for other visitors.  Offering this service helps us be part of the 2% of websites offering accessibility.  A few features of the service include:

• Seizure safe profile
• Vision impaired and cognitive disability profiles
• ADHD profile
• Blind user profile
• Keyboard navigation mode
• Font adjustments with size, alignment, height and spacing
• Color contrast
• Text magnifier
• Muting sounds and hiding features such as images, video and animations
• Cursor enhancements

accessiBe Interface

Screenshot of the accessiBe interface with customization tools displayed

What’s next?

We are investigating the feasibility of integrating this feature on our catalog.  We are speaking with TLC about this feature and investigating if other TLC libraries are using something similar on their catalogs.   We do not have a timeline for this feature enhancement, but we will keep you posted as we learn more.

We are also working on a translate option for our website. Our vendor, LibraryMarket, is integrating Google Translate in our footer.  We have a mock up on our test site if you would like to see how this may work in the future:  https://test-metrolibrary.pantheonsite.io/ [1]  As this feature is deployed, we will let you know.

Why did we make these changes?

The library system has a mission to connect our diverse communities with resources and experiences to educate and enrich their lives.  As our physical spaces embrace this mission, it is important to make our digital spaces as inclusive by providing digital access to many of our diverse populations.   

Additionally, recent legislation requires certain compliance on government and public websites.   accessiBe, helps us remain compliant by offering WCAG 2.1, ADA Title III, and Section 508 compliance.  To learn more about web compliance visit:  https://accessibe.com/compliance/ [2]

Integrating the accessibility tool and translation tool are just the first steps of creating more inclusive digital spaces.  If you have any ideas or suggestions for more ways, we can make our digital spaces more inclusive, please email [email protected] [3]