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