Accessible LibGuides

To embed media using the Media / Widget Content Type, do the following:

1. Name your media. The name is only internal and is what your Media/Widget will be listed as in the LibGuides' Asset List (highlighted by the blue arrowhead with the lines). 
2. Paste the embed code for the media/widget you want to add to your guide into the "Embed Code" Box.
3. When you embed media into your Libguide, you must identify it for screen reader users by updating the title of the iframe:
   1. Once your embed code is pasted into the box, scroll through the box until you see <iframe ... title="some text">. This will be different depending on the platform generating the embed code. 
   2. The title text should be short and informative. If it already is, you may not need to change anything.
   3. Assuming the title is not both short and sufficiently informative, replace the default text with the title of the video or media you are embedding as well as the format so it reads like the following: <iframe title="Example Title Video" ... >.

For video and audio media:

• Use videos from platforms that are accessible, like our databases which have been evaluated using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
• For videos outside of the library catalog, use an accessible 508-compliant video player with keyboard shortcuts. (The government considers YouTube 508-compliant even though it's not fully accessible.)
• For pre-recorded videos:
  • Provide a downloadable transcript or audio description of relevant content, unless the video is decorative. 
  • Provide audio descriptions if there is relevant visual content that is not presented in the audio.
  • Provide synchronized captions.
• Provide a transcript for pre-recorded, audio-only content (such as a podcast).
• Make sure your media doesn't autoplay, flash, or strobe, especially if the color red is prominent. Red is linked to a greater amount of seizures.
• Live videos have other considerations that are unlikely to come up on a LibGuide.
• If embedding media, provide a link to the original source below the iframe, in case a user has trouble using the embedded version of the media player. Some media players are more accessible than others, even if they are considered accessible, particularly when it comes to the controls.

Read more about creating audio descriptions, what makes a media player accessible, the difference between closed and open captions, and more on the Create Accessible Synchronized Media Content Section of the government's Section 508 Website.

Reference: Section 508 Website above and WCAG Success Criterion 1.2.1 A Prerecorded Audio-only & Video-only, 1.2.1 A Prerecorded Audio-only & Video-only, 1.2.2 A Captions (Prerecorded), 1.2.5 AA Audio Description (Prerecorded)

• This content type is for books in our catalog, both with and without cover art.
• If the description of the book that is generated is too long, shorten it to highlight only crucial information.
• Always set Description Display to display beneath the item title. Providing the description on hover makes it inaccessible for some users.
• If including cover art, make sure to write "null" for the alt text for the cover of each book and delete the phrase "Cover Art" if generated, as null is the only alt text that can be repeated on a page under WCAG and the image's text is already on the screen to describe it in reading order.
• Do not assign resource icons.

Reference: WCAG 2.2, Success Criterion 2.4.4 (Level A): Link Purpose (In Context)

• Much of the accessibility is dependent on whether or not the file itself is accessible. Make sure you use an accessible PowerPoint template correctly and that your PDF is tagged properly and fully accessible. Slides and documents must always have a navigable outline and be linear. 
• Always specify in the text that this is a link for a file. If the link automatically downloads the file, make sure to specify that as well.
  • Example of a PDF named Libraries Are Okay that opens in the browser: Libraries Are Okay (PDF)
  • Example of a Word (docx) file named Libraries Are Okay that automatically downloads: Download Libraries Are Okay (docx)
• Always set Description Display to Display beneath item title. A description on hover or after clicking on an info icon is inaccessible for many users.
• Do not assign resource icons.

Reference: WCAG 2.2, SC 3.2.2 (Level A): On Input