Library Accessibility Initiatives and Staff Resources
Below you’ll learn about various efforts that advance Yale Library’s goals of providing greater access to our collections, offerings, and facilities, including staff partnerships, resources, and tools. Please contact YaleLibraryDEIA@yale.edu for more information about resources, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Accessibility | Library Assistive Services and Resources | Library Accessibility Initiatives and Staff Resources | Accessibility Resources at Yale
Library Accessibility Initiatives
Library Accessibility Initiatives Task Force
The Accessibility Initiatives Task Force is charged with supporting the Library’s Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility with various projects that help strengthen the library’s accessibility efforts.
Library Information Technology Accessibility Resources
Making your website accessible means your online resource is usable by the widest variety of people possible, including those who use screen readers, cannot use a mouse, or may be on a slow wireless connection. The User Experience group recommends library website and subject guide creators review these accessibility guidelines so that you understand the major components of web accessibility.
Library Accessibility Alliance
The Library Accessibility Alliance (LAA) promotes equitable access to library services and electronic resources. Its member libraries are committed to providing equal access to information for all library users, and we work together to improve vendor products, educate our community, and advance digital accessibility. The LAA engages with library vendors in initiatives to improve usability of online resources for all users. Yale Library is a member of the Ivy Plus Libraries Confederation (IPLC), which joined the LAA in 2023.
Accessibility Resources Guides
Yale Library staff members have developed resources through which our constituents and visitors can explore topics of accessibility and disability, including the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library’s Disability Studies Resource Guide and the Deaf: Cultures & Communication, 1600 to the Present online exhibition.
Library DEIA Staff Resources
Yale Library aims to foster an inclusive working environment for all staff, encouraging their ongoing learning and growth in their roles. For a list of resources to support library staff in their work and professional development, please visit the Library’s DEIA “For Library Staff” webpage.
Events and Symposia
Affinity Groups
Yale has several disability affinity groups.
- Disability Empowerment For Yale (DEFY) advocates for students with disabilities, both physical and mental, chronic and temporary, to make Yale more accessible and welcoming. DEFY has written a Disability @ Yale Survival Guide.
- Graduate Student Disability Alliance creates a sense of community among graduate students with disabilities fostering a sense of belonging on campus while they navigate graduate school and beyond.
- DiversAbility at Yale (DAY) creates an environment that is open and inclusive for all individuals impacted by disability focusing on ways to support the recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and faculty.
- DivineAbilities hopes to provide healing and reconciliation for disabled people who have experienced systemic discrimination within faith communities.
- Disability Empowerment for Yale school of Drama (DEFY Drama) exists to create accessible spaces of community and support by and for the disabled community of Yale School of Drama.
- Disabled Law Student Association (DLSA) is a law student affinity group comprised of communities situated within a broad disability umbrella.
Yale Training Opportunities and Professional Development
- Yale Training Opportunities & Professional Development
- Accessible Event Planning Tools: Yale is committed to providing accessible events. Event planners and organizers are responsible for meeting this commitment. Library event planners and sponsors are encouraged to use the following resources:
- Guidelines for Accessible Events
- The library is currently adapting these to library spaces and procedures through a planning guide. Contact YaleLibraryDEIA@yale.edu to request the guide or more information.
- Accessibility Checklist for University Events
- Captions for Live Events
- Guidelines for Accessible Events
- Accessible Event Planning Tools: Yale is committed to providing accessible events. Event planners and organizers are responsible for meeting this commitment. Library event planners and sponsors are encouraged to use the following resources:
- Usability & Web Accessibility
- Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty & Instructional Resources
- Yale Conferences & Events “Community of Learners for Event Professionals” Accessibility Trainings