Stumbling through the Forest
PDF

How to Cite

McGowan, J. L. (2026). Stumbling through the Forest: A Journey Using PDF Remediation Software in Course Reserves. International Journal of Librarianship, 11(2), 34–46. https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2026.vol11.2.592

Abstract

With the impending Title II rule based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA coming into effect in April 2027 (changed from April 2026), the library has placed itself in the role of providing more accessible content to its patrons (Federal Register, 2026). This case study examines the use of PDF remediation software to ensure that Course Reserves in digital format are accessible to patrons with disabilities. While there are numerous articles discussing accessibility of library material, very few discuss real-world issues in accessibility within the context of library resources, specifically Course Reserves. There is a dearth of literature that addresses any practical steps in remediating these issues. This topic is important, as proper access to resources, and accessibility of those resources, are paramount to the success of students with disabilities. Additionally, the study is concerned with applying this remediation tool to library resources outside the area of Course Reserves, such as Special Collections and Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Please note that the author is not an attorney, and that no information in this journal should be construed as legal advice. Additionally, please be advised that the library adheres to specific policies and procedures that acknowledge and protect copyright law.

https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2026.vol11.2.592
PDF

References

Allyant. (2018). PDF Accessibility: Testing and Verification https://allyant.com/blog/which-pdf-accessibility-standard-should-i-check-my-document-against/#:~:text=April%203%2C%202025-,Which%20PDF%20Accessibility%20Standard%20Should%20I%20Check%20My%20Document%20Against,need%20to%20meet%20one%20standard.

American Library Association. (n.d.). Applying the Rule to Library Content. https://www.ala.org/accessibility/applying-rule-library-content#audio-video-files

Arizona State University. Image Accessibility Generator

https://teachonline.asu.edu/image-accessibility-generator/

Chee, M., & Weaver, K. (2022). The great PDF debate: Accessible or impossible?. College & Research Libraries News, 83(8), 363. doi:https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.83.8.363

Civil Rights Division. (2024, April 8). Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments. Department of Justice. https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/

Civil Rights Division – Title II Regulations. (2024, June 24). Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations. Department of Justice. https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/regulations/title-ii-2010-regulations/

Emanuel, M. (2025). Making your repository (more) accessible. Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication, 13(1), 0_1,1-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.31274/jlsc.18308

Equidox. (n.d.) Equidox PDF Accessibility Solutions. https://equidox.co/

Federal Register (2026) Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web

Hansen, D. & Courtney, K. (2018). A White Paper on Controlled Digital Lending of Library Books. Controlled Digital Lending by Libraries. https://www.controlleddigitallending.org/whitepaper

Kwak, A. (2025). Developing a Training Program for Student Library Assistants to Make Scanned PDFs Accessible: A Case Study. College & Research Libraries, 86(1), 160. doi:https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.86.1.160

Library of Congress. (n.d.). The Chafee Amendment: 17 U.S.C. 121 & 121A. https://www.loc.gov/nls/who-we-are/laws-regulations/copyright-law-amendment-1996-pl-104-197/

Office for Civil Rights. (n.d.). Pending Cases Currently Under Investigation at Elementary-Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools. Department of Education. https://ocrcas.ed.gov/open-investigations?field_ois_state=All&field_ois_discrimination_statute=702&field_ois_type_of_discrimination=733&items_per_page=20&field_ois_institution=&field_ois_institution_type=752&field_open_investigation_date_1=&field_open_investigation_date_2=&field_open_investigation_date=&field_open_investigation_date_3=&page=0

Office for Civil Rights (n.d.) Section 504. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504

Office for Civil Rights - FAPE (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions: Section 504 Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/disability-discrimination/frequently-asked-questions-section-504-free-appropriate-public-education-fape

Pollitz, J. H., Christie, A., & Middleton, C. (2009). Management of Library Course Reserves and the Textbook Affordability Crisis. Journal of Access Services, 6(4), 459–484.

Poet Training Tool. (n.d.). How to Describe Images. https://poet.diagramcenter.org/how.html

Radthorne, D. (2020). Reserves as a Matter of Course: The History and Necessity of Academic Law Library Course Reserves. Legal Reference Services Quarterly, 39(2–3), 133–169.

Section 508. (n.d.). Accessibility Bytes No. 6: Document Headings. General Services Administration. https://www.section508.gov/blog/accessibility-bytes/document-headings/#:~:text=How%20Heading%20Structure%20Works,further%20breaks%20down%20those%20sections.

Section 508 Background (2025, March). Background: Federal Law and Policy on ICT Accessibility. https://www.section508.gov/manage/section-508-assessment/2023/background/

Swaak, T. (2024, December 6). Colleges Must Revise Millions of Web Pages. It Will be ‘Painful’. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/colleges-must-revise-millions-of-web-pages-it-will-be-painful

World Wide Web Consortium. (2017, April 13). Content Structure. https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/page-structure/content/

World Wide Web Consortium. (2017, May 4). Headings. https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/page-structure/headings/

World Wide Web Consortium. (2023, February 16). Tables Tutorial. https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/tables/

World Wide Web Consortium. (2023, Jun 7). Success Criterion 1.4.5: Images of Text. https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/Understanding/images-of-text

World Wide Web Consortium. (2025, July 15). Technique G64: Providing a Table of Contents. https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/general/G64

World Wide Web Consortium. (2025, September 16). Headings and Labels. https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/headings-and-labels.html

World Wide Web Consortium. (2025, September 16). Meaningful Sequence. https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/meaningful-sequence.html

World Wide Web Consortium, (2025, September 16).. Non-text Content.

https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/non-text-content.html

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Librarianship

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.