BPL’s Guidelines on Web Accessibility
The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is committed to providing accurate and
accessible web materials in a timely manner to all users. Every reasonable
effort will be made to provide these materials in formats that can be accessed
by people with disabilities.
The Library has determined that attaining all three World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C) priority levels represents the ideal in web accessibility and has decided
that a staged implementation will be the most effective way to achieve
compliance.
As part of this staged implementation:
-
Priority 1 has been adopted as an appropriate minimum benchmark for
implementation by the end of 2005.
-
The Library will aim to meet Priority 2 by 31 January 2007.
-
In order to meet Priority 3, the Library will review the implementation of
Priority 1 and 2 during 2007 and decide on an appropriate timetable for
implementation.
-
The Library aims to have full compliance by 2012.
During the implementation process, staff will be actively encouraged to
create web materials that meet all three Priorities.
Consequently, the strategy adopted by the Online Accessibility Action Plan is
to:
-
ensure that all new information in the BPLOnline.org and other Library
operated domains conforms to the W3C guidelines by an agreed deadline
-
monitor accessibility for patrons and staff with disabilities and address
issues as soon as practicable after they arise
-
work towards bringing pre-existing material to Priority 1 and beyond as
appropriate
-
utilize the W3C guidelines for Authoring Tool Accessibility to develop
authoring tools appropriate for BPL.
Online Accessibility Action Plan
Introduction
This Action Plan demonstrates the Birmingham Public Library’s commitment to
develop its website in an effective and accessible manner.
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) sponsored by the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C) has developed the international standards for web access. These
guidelines have been widely adopted in the international arena.
This Action Plan covers all websites within the BPLOnline.org domain, and
other domains that the Library owns and/or operates
Objectives and strategies
-
Objective 1
That all new corporate online information in the BPLOnline.org domain
conforms to the WAI guidelines
-
Objective 2
That all staff are aware of the Library's web accessibility guidelines
-
Objective 3
That all staff with web responsibilities will be able to implement the
Library’s web accessibility guidelines.
-
Objective 4
To ensure that periodic evaluations of the implementation of the plan are
conducted and appropriate actions taken.
-
Objective 5
To ensure that the Library’s commitment to online accessibility and the
Action Plan is promoted throughout the Library and the wider community.
Online Accessibility Action Plan
Objectives and strategies - Objective 1
That all new corporate online information in the BPLOnline.org domain
conforms to WAI guidelines
|
Strategies |
Performance indicators |
Responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
1.1 All material created after 1 August 2005
will be compliant with WAI guidelines Priority 1. |
Compliance to current WAI guidelines is achieved |
Web Managers |
1 August 2005 |
|
1.2 All material created after 1 January 2007
will be compliant with WAI guidelines Priority 2 |
Compliance to current WAI guidelines is achieved |
Web Managers |
1 January 2007 |
|
1.3 All new and converted sites will
be checked for accessibility as part of their (re)development |
All new and converted sites are
accessible |
Web Authors |
September 2005 |
|
1.4 The BPL homepage and any sites identified as
being inaccessible by a patron or staff member with disabilities will be made
accessibility compliant in a timely manner |
Identified sites comply |
Web Authors |
1 July 2007 |
Objective and strategies - Objective 2
That all staff are aware of the Library's web accessibility guidelines.
|
Strategies |
Performance indicators |
Responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
2.1 Distribute guidelines to web authors |
Guidelines distributed |
Web Managers |
September 2005 |
|
2.2 Guidelines to be included in BPL policies
and procedure dealing with online environment |
Amendments to relevant policies and procedures |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
September 2005 |
Objective and strategies - Objective 3
That all staff with web responsibilities can implement the Library’s web
accessibility guidelines.
|
Strategies |
Performance indicators |
Responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
3.1 Training programs for web authors are
available and include detailed information on web accessibility |
Training available |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
April 2006 |
|
3.2 Web authors are trained to ensure compliance
with guidelines. Software be made available to authors to enable development |
Training plan is documented. Resources for
training identified |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
Ongoing |
|
3.3 Helpdesk staff are trained to recognise
accessibility issues as identifiied by user complaints, requests and questions |
Training conducted |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
April 2006 |
|
3.4 Online resource provided which educates
staff in the development of accessible online material |
Online resource available |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
April 2006 |
Objective and strategies - Objective 4
To ensure that the Library’s commitment to online accessibility and the
Action Plan is promoted throughout the Library and the wider community.
|
Strategies |
Performance indicators |
Responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
4.1 A copy of the Online Accessibility Action
Plan will be placed on the BPL website |
The Plan is available on the BPL website |
Web Managers |
September
2005 |
|
4.2 The Online Accessibility Plan is available
in alternative formats if required |
Copies of the plan are available in an
appropriate alternative format upon request |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
Ongoing |
Objectives and strategies - Objective 5
To ensure that periodic evaluations of the implementation plan are conducted
and appropriate actions taken
|
Strategies |
Performance indicators |
Responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
5.1 Action Plan is reviewed and amended as
appropriate |
Amendments made as required |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
Ongoing |
|
5.2 Report on the progress of the Action Plan |
Report completed |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
Annually |
|
5.3 Develop appropriate evaluation processes to
ensure compliance is being achieved |
Tools and/or evaluation processes developed to
monitor compliance. |
Online Accessibility Management Committee |
April 2006 |
References
World Wide Web Consortium. 5 May 1999. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT
[accessed 8/31/05]
World Wide Web Consortium. 5 May 1999. Authoring Tool Accessibility
Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/ATAG10/atag10-chktable.html
[accessed 8/31/05] |
