Deep Dive: Accessibility - Approaching One Year Since the EAA
Scope
One year out from the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and ahead of US Title II implementation deadlines, we’ll revisit highlights from past NISO accessibility programs to ask what’s changed, what’s working, and where gaps remain. Earlier conversations emphasized standards, shared responsibility, and the importance of accessible design. Now the focus turns to implementation: how accessibility metadata is being embedded into journal workflows, how emerging standards are shaping uniformity and compliance, and how organizations are preparing for regulatory expectations.
We will also explore the operational realities behind accessibility efforts, including the use of AI and automation to scale remediation, the need for quality control and human oversight, and the persistent challenge of backlist and legacy content. The session will examine practical strategies for prioritization, documentation, and workflow improvements, aiming to provide clear next steps for organizations seeking to strengthen their accessibility readiness.
Conversation between: Rachel Comerford, Senior Director of Accessibility, Macmillan Learning and Simon Holt, Senior Head of Content Accessibility, Elsevier.
Event Sessions
Speakers
Kimberly Graham, Educational Program Manager & DEIA Advocate served as the moderator for this program.
The following questions were posed to our speakers:
What challenges have you faced to be ready for the ADA deadline?
Are accessibility responsibilities clearly defined and where do the most pressing gaps exist?
What constitutes a realistic remediation strategy and how should organizations prioritize efforts?
What are the opportunities and challenges of AI & automation usage to make content and products more accessible?
What have you learned from your roles and work in this arena?
What is one thing you hope to be different/better if we were to reconvene one year from now?
What are people still getting wrong about accessibility and compliance?
How can and should authors contribute to making content accessible? Identify and explain one of the most practical and doable actions.
Related Information and Shared Resources:
ADA Title II and Academic Libraries: From The Library Accessibility Alliance (LAA) - As a provider of library digital information, technology, or digital content, we are writing to share information about the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA Title II ruling (brief fact sheet). The ruling was added to the Federal Register on April 24, 2024. Most institutions are expected to be in full compliance with the new rules by April 24, 2026...
The ADA Title II is Days Away: What Publishers Can Do to Get Ready—or Get Going (From The Daisy Consortium) - Accessibility consultant, Bill Kasdorf, has some expert advice for all publishers as they prepare for next month’s ADA Title II deadline. [Published at March 23, 2026]
Accessibility Conformance Reports (From Elsevier) - Accessibility Conformance Reports for Elsevier’s products and services, based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
Additional Information
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Event Dates
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Fees
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Location
Educational events are online programs. NISO uses the Zoom platform for the purpose of broadcasting our live events. Zoom provides apps for a variety of computing devices (tablets, laptops, etc.) To view the broadcast, you need a device that supports the Zoom app. Attendees may also choose to listen just to audio on their phones. Sign-on credentials include the necessary dial-in numbers, if that is your preference. Once notified of their availability, recordings may be viewed from the Zoom platform.
Registrants received sign-on instructions prior to the virtual event. If you have any questions, please contact NISO headquarters for assistance via email (nisohq@niso.org).