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TDL Repository Content Accessibility Working Group

TDL Repository Content Accessibility Working Group

The TDL Repository Content Accessibility (RCA) Working Group formed in September 2025 to develop a collective plan of action for TDL DSpace Users Group members to improve the accessibility of content in DSpace repositories.  Deliverables of the group are to include an assessment of current library practice on repository accessibility, the development of guidelines and recommendations, and a set of shared resources.

SCOPE

This group will focus exclusively on the accessibility of digital content in DSpace repositories, including documents (PDF documents, images, a/v files, etc), metadata, and text/HTML markup on Community and Collection homepages. Areas of concern may include:

  • Repository policies regarding ADA compliance of content.

  • Use (or not) of tagged PDFs and accessible text structure (e.g., headings, alt text, reading order).

  • Best practices for audio-visual and other non-PDF content.

  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) of scanned documents.

  • Distinctions between born-digital and digitized files

  • Metadata practices that support accessible content.

  • Workflows and guidance for library depositors to create and submit accessible files.

  • Resources for non-library depositors (faculty curated collections, affiliates, etc.).

  • Assessment tools and strategies for evaluating document accessibility.

  • Guidelines for retroactive remediation of legacy content, including considerations for prioritization.

  • Use of HTML markup on Collection and Community homepages.

  • Recommendations for succeeding working group(s) to address specific areas of need related to accessibility.

This charge excludes broader web accessibility issues related to the DSpace interface. The Working Group will provide guidelines for institutions and repository managers that take into account any constraints of the DSpace platform.

Members

  • Mark Baggett, Texas A&M

  • Mary Kaye Coons, University of Dallas

  • Jon Crossno, UT Southwestern

  • Emily Hayward, UT San Antonio

  • Elizabeth Headrick, Texas Woman’s University

  • Susan Hoover, University of Houston

  • Tom Lyons, UNT Health

  • Kristi Park, TDL

  • Elliot Williams, UT San Antonio

  • Xiao Zeng, University of Houston

Resources

Repository Content Accessibility Toolkit

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b3Rb8l2EzxDHnNVmEsFwhVDBr08SfsVL?usp=sharing