Resources for College Libraries

Introduction

All Librarians should have equal access to the tools they need to develop and build their library collections. At ProQuest, we are committed to providing all our users with a fully accessible experience for research, teaching and learning.

We make every effort to ensure that our platforms – including RCL – can be used by everyone. RCL is working toward meeting Level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) and Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act for features and functions.

Accessibility features and gaps

Users of RCL should be able to:

• Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard.
• Perform a search and navigate the results using a screen reader or keyboard.
• Update administrator and user data using a screen reader or keyboard.
• Listen to most of the website using a screen reader.
• Zoom in up to 300% using browser tools without text spilling off screen.

There may be some parts of this website that are not fully accessible:

• While the main workflow on this website is keyboard accessible, there are some areas that are difficult to navigate with a keyboard, such as expanding the lists and selecting the checkboxes on the Browse page.
• Some images are missing alt text.
• There are color contrast issues with text and text links on grey backgrounds.
• Labels are missing for controls in a small number of cases.
• On Create New Search and Manage Search template pages text input fields do not have suggestive text labels
• On the Administrator page, the text fields in the Access section for Name, ID, Password, and Email are not identified by screen readers.

If you have a disability and need to make your computer, tablet or other device easier to use, AbilityNet is a recommended resource. We also recommend browsing free add-ons offered for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Technical Information about this site’s accessibility

ProQuest is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with:

• Level A and Level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1)
• Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act for features and functions.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance level and report

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Access the full Accessibility Compliance Report (VPAT 2.5 and WCAG) for RCL.

Accessibility of this platform

The Resources for College Libraries database is designed to connect high-quality titles to higher education institutions, all in an easy-to-use, responsive interface. Some links in RCL link to other ProQuest websites and, while our platforms are built to meet accessibility standards, these other may differ slightly in accessibility performance. If you experience accessibility issues on these platforms, please use their respective contact forms to report your concerns.

Global Access

Text Spacing

The global setting for line height does not meet the requirement of 1.5.

Keyboard Access

The website is accessible using a keyboard alone with the following exceptions: On the Browse page, the keyboard is not able to expand or contract lists using the arrow icons or select the checkboxes. On the Lists page, the modal windows for Print, Email, Download, Delete, and Properties do not provide keyboard access to the Cancel or Save buttons.

Screen Readers

The website can be browsed effectively with a screen reader; however certain navigational elements are not recognized by some readers. For example, the Browse page has lists with checkboxes and arrow icons that expand the lists. On Windows, the Narrator screen reader does not announce what these elements are, however you are still able to select the checkboxes and arrow icons to expand the lists. On Mac using VoiceOver, you are not able to select the checkbox or arrow icon to expand the list.

Color Contrast

The text on RCL varies from shades of grey to green, as well as green text links. In some cases, this text is on a lighter grey background which results in the text have a low contrast. There are also some headlines that have low contrast. If color contrast is a concern for you, we recommend using of the free browser plugins that can increase text/background color contrast, such as the high contrast extension for Google Chrome.

Missing Alt Text

There are a few cases of missing alt text for images. Primarily, the logos for ACRL, Choice, and ProQuest that appear in the footer are missing alt text. Additionally, “e” icon that indicates there are eBook, digital audiobooks, and other electronic resources available, the “Resources for College Libraries” graphic under the “Explore RCL” headline on the same pages, and the default author icon “About the Author” section of the book detail pages

Form Labels

In some cases, throughout the site, form labels are either missing or there are multiple labels, as such on the Administrator page, Create New Search templates and Manage Search templates pages.

Redundant links

There are cases where an image has the same URL link as the adjacent text link next to it.

Pages of exception

The following pages pose usability issues due to their structure.

Browse

On the Browse page, you can browse the list, however using VoiceOver on Mac, you are not able to check a checkbox or expand a list. You can do that on a PC using Narrator.

Usage Stats

The page is not structured in a way that is easily navigable by screen reader. .Usage reports are accessed by selecting the report date from a table at the top of the page, the dates appear as yyyymm but are read as a six-digit number.

Create New Search Template

The form fields are missing labels visible to screen readers.

Manage Search Templates

The form fields are missing labels visible to screen readers.

Create or Modify Z39.50 Profile

If the user selects a profile that they do not have access to edit, a screen reader may not mention that the text field is deactivated and may skip to the next line of text.

Administrator Page

The Administrator page has a table for adding users to access the site. This table has horizontal scroll on mobile devices and when text is zoomed from 250% and higher.

Accessibility Testing

The accessibility of RCL is a continual effort at ProQuest. Accessibility standards are built into our design, and style guides and included as part of requirements in our software development and quality assurance pipeline.

RCL code is checked on Mac and PC platforms for accessibility using a range of automated and manual checks including but not limited to:

• Color Contrast Analyzer provided by WebAIM
• Keyboard-access manual testing and assessment
• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation tool) provided by WebAIM
• Narrator by Microsoft
• VoiceOver by Apple

What we are doing to improve accessibility

Making content accessible is an ongoing effort at ProQuest. We are committed to working with the community to ensure we continue to meet our customers’ needs. A list of our ongoing efforts includes:

• Testing with users of all abilities
• The ProQuest Accessibility Council: a team of stakeholders working to increase accessibility resources and capabilities
• Pursuing partnerships with colleges, universities, and other institutions to assist us in reviewing and updating our accessibility standards
• Supporting certifications for our employees

Support and feedback

If you have difficulty accessing specific ProQuest content or features with adaptive technology after trying the workarounds suggested in this statement, you can contact us using the links provided below. Our support services will respond within three days and are available to accommodate the communication needs of end users with disabilities. We will work with you to identify the best option for remediation, subject to content licensing restrictions and technical capability.

Online: ProQuest Technical Support

Phone:
United States & Canada (toll free):
+1 800 889 3358

Outside North America:
+800 4997 4111 or +1 734-707-2513

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This accessibility statement was prepared on October 2, 2024.

The website was last tested in September 2024. The test was carried out internally at ProQuest.