Accessibility Metadata: Statement and Principles

Abstract

This statement affirms the critical role of accessibility metadata in advancing universal and equitable access to information, ideas and literature and in supporting an inclusive information society.

The statement underlines the role of accessibility metadata in facilitating the search for and identification of resources with accessibility features in library catalogues and discovery platforms, so that all library users experience an equitable resource discovery process. The statement includes a set of general principles for the design and usability of this metadata. The statement and principles provide a high-level framework that can be used to guide the development of standards such as best practices, as well as to evaluate their effectiveness. This statement is also an important tool for advocacy.