ADA Title II accessibility compliance for ELM databases

In response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s new rule under ADA Title II, Minitex is beginning a systematic effort to assess and improve the accessibility of eLibrary Minnesota (ELM) resources, with the intention of reaching WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.

Here’s what we’re doing to support compliance:

• We’ve completed a comprehensive inventory of ELM databases and vendor platforms, with priority assigned based on usage. This helps us focus our initial efforts where they will have the greatest impact for library users statewide.
• We are requesting Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) from vendors to understand each platform’s current status in meeting accessibility guidelines.
• Our team is scanning all ELM interfaces using the WAVE and Lighthouse tools. These tools help us identify accessibility issues such as missing labels, insufficient color contrast, and navigation barriers.
• We are compiling a baseline report of detected errors and alerts across platforms. From there, we will identify any issues we can address ourselves and share the remaining concerns with vendors, requesting roadmaps and timelines for resolution.

For institutions that administer their own versions of ELM databases via Direct Links—especially where locally customized interfaces, authentication systems, or embedded tools like widgets are in use—it’s important to note that accessibility is ultimately a local responsibility. Modifications at the institution level may introduce or exacerbate accessibility barriers, so we encourage all libraries to evaluate their setups carefully and stay informed about their obligations under ADA Title II.

We will continue to share updates as this work progresses.