This story is from the Fall/Winter 2024-25 issue of Explore, UC San Diego Library’s signature publication published for a broad readership of patrons and supporters both on and off campus.
The Library recently reached a significant milestone in its ongoing journey toward web accessibility, marking a major achievement in making its online content more inclusive and accessible to all users. This accomplishment is the result of years of dedicated commitment to meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), underscored by a cultural shift within UC San Diego, the Library and the wider University of California (UC) system.
A Long-Term Vision Realized
The push for web accessibility at the Library began in earnest when Web Manager Jenn Dandle, a passionate advocate for inclusivity, joined the organization in 2015. From the outset, she made it her mission to ensure the content on the Library’s primary website (library.ucsd.edu) met the stringent standards set forth in the WCAG. Through her dedicated work at the Library and as a co-chair of UC San Diego’s Digital Accessibility Council and the Website Standards Committee, the Library has achieved compliance with WCAG standards.
“These guidelines were established by the Worldwide Web Consortium, or W3C for short. They created a universal standard for web accessibility, ensuring that all users, regardless of ability, can access and interact with online content,” said Dandle. “It has been a privilege to contribute to the Library’s mission of creating an accessible website that serves a diverse community of users.”
The last three years have seen the most concentrated effort, building on the groundwork laid in the years prior. This foundational work involved extensive research and a deep dive into understanding the Library’s existing digital environment, which comprises over 30 public websites — including the primary site — and more than 200,000 pages of content. It was crucial to identify the challenges and resources available to address the complexities of web accessibility in a large, content-rich organization like UC San Diego Library.
The Role of Technology and Tools
A turning point in the Library’s journey came with the UC system’s subscription to the Siteimprove platform, a cloud-based tool that helps website owners improve their website’s quality, accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). This tool provided a comprehensive view of the Library’s primary website, which includes 372 pages and accounts for 80% of the Library’s total web traffic. It allowed the team to identify and rectify issues such as misspellings, outdated content and broken links. Importantly, the Library’s website was among the first 10 sites within the UC system to integrate this platform, setting a precedent for others.
“The adoption of this technology was pivotal to our success in this project,” said Digital Experience Manager Doug Worsham, who also serves on UC San Diego’s Website Standards Committee. “Siteimprove has been a key asset in the project as it has significantly increased our ability to see the website from a systemic perspective. This valuable insight made it possible to address accessibility issues on a large scale.”
A Collaborative Effort
Although technology was key, the success of this initiative is primarily due to the collaborative efforts of all Library employees, especially the Technology and Digital Experience (TDX) program.
“This has been very much a team effort, with everyone working together toward the shared goal of achieving web accessibility,” Worsham noted. “Our student design team, both current team members and alumni, played an integral role in this accomplishment. They have successfully and accurately helped the team identify and fix necessary errors and optimize the site overall.”
Student employees on TDX’s design team who assisted with this effort include Ada He, Annie Wen, Dayrin Gutierrez, Lily Jao and Marvin Ochoa Estrada. Past student employees who are now alumni also made significant contributions, including Aaron Wixson, Bella Chen, Cindy Chang, Hannah Yick, Isaac In, Lana Arcinas and Samantha Ta. These students, under the guidance of full-time staff like Dandle and Worsham, have not only gained valuable experience but have also left a lasting impact on the Library’s web accessibility efforts.
“I learned so much about accessibility through this project,” said Marvin Ochoa Estrada, a current student employee on the TDX design team. “Knowing that our work is making a difference for so many people has been incredibly rewarding.”
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to acknowledge the contributions of everyone involved — from the student design team to the full-time staff,” said Dandle. “This accomplishment is a shared victory, one that will have a lasting impact on the UC San Diego community and beyond.”
The collaborative nature of the project has fostered a ‘cycle of inspiration,’ where full-time staff and student employees have influenced and motivated each other. This cycle has been particularly evident in the work of Lana Arcinas, who, after graduating, became deeply involved in the San Diego Accessibility and Inclusive Design Meetup group and continued to champion accessibility initiatives.
A Cultural Shift and Ongoing Commitment
The journey to achieving web accessibility has also brought about a cultural shift within the Library. Traditionally, there was a strong attachment to information, particularly in a field dedicated to archiving and preserving knowledge. However, the need to create a more accessible and user-friendly website required a reevaluation of these priorities. The team became more comfortable with the idea of archiving and then deleting content, understanding that a streamlined, accessible website was just as important as the information it contained.
This milestone is not the end of the Library’s accessibility journey but rather the beginning. As Dandle pointed out, “This is continuous work. The team is committed to main- taining and improving accessibility standards, with the hope that their efforts will inspire other staff members and librarians to join the cause. The implications of this work extend far beyond the Library’s immediate goals, as it contributes to a more inclusive digital environment for all users.”
Looking Ahead
The Library’s achievement in meeting WCAG standards is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to inclusivity. As the Library continues to build on this momentum, it aims to not only maintain its current standards but to push the boundaries of what is possible in web accessibility.
The journey ahead will involve training the next generation of user experience professionals, continuing to integrate new technologies, and fostering a culture of inclusivity. The Library’s efforts are a powerful example of how institutions can evolve to meet the needs of all users, setting a standard that others can follow.
Browse lib.ucsd.edu to navigate the Library’s website and experience the changes firsthand.