From Collective Care to Compliance
A UX-Informed Approach to Web Accessibility Remediation in Academic Libraries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2026.vol11.2.604Abstract
In response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s final Title II rule on web accessibility, libraries are increasingly required to remediate complex web ecosystems under constrained timelines and capacity. While much accessibility guidance emphasizes technical compliance, less attention has been paid to the organizational, relational, and pedagogical dimensions of accessibility work in libraries. This practice-based report describes a UX-informed approach to web accessibility remediation in an academic library, grounded in principles of collective care, microlearning, and co-creation.
Positioning library employees as the primary users of accessibility systems, documentation, and workflows, this project applied a user experience (UX) design-inspired process to employee-facing implementation efforts. Interventions included accessibility audits combining automated and manual review, development of a web applications accessibility handbook, governance clarification, microlearning-based remediation strategies, collaborative “web editing parties,” and shared tracking mechanisms. Findings suggest that treating accessibility as a shared practice, rather than an individual compliance task, reduced overwhelm, increased engagement, and supported more sustainable remediation efforts.
Lessons learned highlight the importance of relational UX practices, documentation as infrastructure, and iterative learning. This report offers practical insights for libraries preparing for Title II compliance while seeking to cultivate inclusive and sustainable accessibility practices.
Downloads
References
Association of Research Libraries. (n.d.). ADA Title II regulations: Implications for libraries. https://www.arl.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ADA-Title-II-regulations_-implications-for-libraries.pdf
Davis, R. C. (2025). Ready for it: Ensuring web content accessibility in libraries. Choice360.
Getz, K., & Shotick, K. (2025). Designing for neurodiversity in web spaces. In A. Boyer & A. El-Chidiac (Eds.), Supporting neurodiverse students in academic libraries (pp. 211–234). Association of College and Research Libraries.
Hunt, R. (2025, March 29). What is the UX design process? 5 steps to success. Interaction Design Foundation. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/ux-design-process-guide
Liu, Y., Bielefield, A., & Beckwith, J. (2024). ADA digital accessibility on academic library websites. College & Research Libraries, 85(2), 166–186. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.2.166
Pereyaslavska, K. (2020, November 30). Accessibility librarian competencies. ARL Views. https://www.arl.org/blog/accessibility-librarian-competencies
Spina, C., & Albrecht Oling, R. (2025). The digital accessibility handbook for libraries. ALA Editions in collaboration with CORE.
Wentz, B., Gorham, U., & Jaeger, P. T. (2023). Academic libraries and their legal obligation for content accessibility. First Monday, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v28i1.12892
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. (2025a). [Draft] Accessibility roles and responsibilities mapping (ARRM). World Wide Web Consortium. https://www.w3.org/WAI/planning/arrm
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. (2025b). [Draft] Content author responsibilities. World Wide Web Consortium. https://www.w3.org/WAI/planning/arrm/content-author
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. (2025c). [Draft] Roles involved in accessibility. World Wide Web Consortium. https://www.w3.org/WAI/planning/arrm/roles
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Librarianship
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and the initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
