Narratives of Academic Librarians: Accessibility

Accessibility

Universal design or accessibility is a key responsibility for anyone involved with delivering instructional technology. As such it is unsurprising that accessibility was a theme that emerged among these librarians involved with instructional technology. While this theme appeared somewhat less frequently it was still a strong factor in self-defining for some librarians as expressed in their narratives.

Librarian 4 referred to their training in instructional technology and design which included accessibility in their work. This was a trait present even before their time as a librarian as the librarian frequently mentioned in their narrative.

“I don't think it was explicitly shared with me that “you should include accessibility, you know?” But when I was in my instructional technology and design program, it made sense to me, because...I always have that thought.”

-Librarian 4

Librarian 6 titled one chapter of their work-life narrative “Finding a niche in accessibility” and described themselves thusly: “I basically became known as the accessibility person. That was a big passion of mine.” They also again state the importance of accessibility in their self-identity later in their narrative:

“I feel like I'm still known as the accessibility person, but I feel like that was a big part of making me a more important person or a useful person in the library.”

-Librarian 6