Here at NoveList, we believe that libraries and reading are for everyone. It would follow, then, that our NoveList products should be accessible to everyone, too.
To ensure that NoveList is for everyone, the team has been working for several months to meet the latest accessibility standards and guidelines.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility means designing digital content and tools so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use them effectively. This includes making sure websites and applications work with screen readers, have clear navigation, and use readable fonts and colors. At NoveList, accessibility is about more than compliance—it’s about ensuring every reader can discover their next great book without barriers.
Many of our customers are familiar with two big pieces of legislation with upcoming deadlines: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) and new rulings around Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both pieces of legislation require digital products to meet Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) 2.2 standards. The EAA changes must be made by June 28, 2025. The ADA requires changes in compliance with Title II by April 2026.
So, what are we at NoveList doing to meet these goals?
Accessibility Statements
An accessibility statement is a document that communicates what a company is doing to make their products accessible, including the accessibility standard that the product meets and how to reach out to the organization with accessibility concerns. The product team at NoveList has written accessibility statements for all our products, which you can find on EBSCO Connect with accessibility statements for all EBSCO products.
Audits
An accessibility audit is a thorough evaluation of products to identify any accessibility issues and ensure compliance with accessibility standards. NoveList has performed both internal and external accessibility audits of our products and continues to work towards addressing any issues uncovered from those audits.
VPATs
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a comprehensive document that shows how a product meets accessibility requirements. While an accessibility statement is a statement of intent and commitment, a VPAT is an in-depth expression of how that commitment is put into action. NoveList is currently drafting VPATs for NoveList Select and LibraryAware, while the VPAT for NoveList databases will be forthcoming after the release of the new NoveList (coming June 2025!)
Camille Tyndall Watson is an Agile Product Owner for NoveList. She is currently reading Oathbound by Tracy Deonn.
