Accessibility Statement

Resources

• Collections and Cataloging Systems

  We request a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) from all database vendors before purchasing new resources and aim to acquire and resources that are WCAG 2.1 AA compliant; compliancy includes options to access or download HTML format, text-to-speech, and audio file.
  
  We review accessibility information on all electronic resources and provide it as needed for our discovery layer, catalog, databases, archive, and other research and information tools.
  
  We honor requests for the purchase of closed-captioned videos, audiobooks, large-print, and other formats, working to provide accessible copies of materials.
  
  We provide e-books and e-book chapters to leverage enhanced accessibility features available with e-books. When electronic resource formats are unavailable, we provide small selections of course reserve materials in PDF format that have OCR (Optical Character Recognition) applied and that have passed an Adobe Accessibility check.

• Website and Software Development

  We incorporate best practices and guidelines for accessibility into digital design and development, aiming to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Services

• Building

  Russell Hall meets most requirements for wheelchair access, with an accessible entrance, elevator access to all floors with tactile signals, fountains, restrooms, individual and group seating; and technology, including RFID printers, scanners (including OCR for PDFs and docs), computers, and monitors. 

• Circulation and Reading

  We assist in retrieving and delivering items from the Stacks. Log into EDUCAT+ to search, and from the relevant catalog record, click on "Request: Pick Up". We also provide a Closed Collections Reading Room for alternate physical access to historical or archival materials.

• Scanning, Captioning, and Alt Text

  We coordinate with OASID (Office of Access and Services to Individuals with Disabilities) in providing small amounts of scanned material for registered Teachers College community members’ personal usage in acceptable formats (PDF, Word Document) that have been OCR’d or otherwise processed as advised by OASID. In addition, we fulfill reasonable requests for OCR'ing, captioning, and providing alternate text of items held in the special and digital collections, or coordinate as needed with OASID to address larger scale accommodations for access to historical or archival collections. See the Accessibility Accommodation for Digital Resources Form and/or the links provided in EDUCAT+ catalog records.

• Events

  Library events are free and open to members and affiliated members of Teachers College. On all promotional pieces, we direct requests for disability-related accommodations to be submitted as early as possible to oasid@tc.edu, (212) 678-3689, or (646) 755-3144 video phone.

• Reference and Instruction

  Reference and instructional services are available in person, by phone, chat, and e-mail (Ask a Librarian).
  
  We provide closed captioning for online research consultations and instructional offerings delivered via video and audio conferencing; we coordinate with OASID which advises in advance on requests for accommodations prior to delivery, onsite or online, of research consultations, library workshops, or library information sessions.
  
  We are developing instructional materials that highlight accessibility information in e-books, journal platforms, and other electronic resources.
  
  We encourage the use of assistive technology equipment and/or labs maintained by TC’s Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID).

Other

• We comply with recommended College guidelines on accommodations, including the use of service animals and technology.

• We represent the library on the Teachers College Barrier Removal Committee; PDF Working Group, and others initiatives, as needed.