The Texas Digital Library (TDL) Repository Content Accessibility (RCA) Working Group is pleased to announce two initiatives to support ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of repository materials for users with disabilities.
Repository Accessibility Toolkit
First, the Working Group has published a Repository Accessibility Toolkit, available in the TDL Wiki, intended to support library staff, leadership, faculty, and other users of DSpace at state-funded institutions in meeting requirements set by the 2024 update by the U.S. Department of Justice to regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It includes guidance on web accessibility laws and standards, definitions and best practices for designing accessible documents in various formats, and talking points for advocacy with library administration and others.
Repository Accessibility Survey
Additionally, the Working Group is collecting information about accessibility practices and policies within the TDL DSpace user community. Its goal is to understand how institutions are approaching accessibility for materials hosted in DSpace repositories to better understand current practices & needs and to help guide the development of future resources.
Please complete the Repository Accessibility Assessment Survey by March 23, 2026.
This survey is open to all institutions within the TDL community that host content in DSpace repositories, whether the repository is hosted by TDL or self-hosted. One representative per institution should fill out the survey.
About the TDL Repository 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.
TDL Repository Content Accessibility Working Group 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