Responding to accessibility issues in evidence synthesis
Recommendations
For authors
- A PRISMA flow chart diagram can be presented as a table (example, figure 1 and Appendix 2)
Improvements
Area | Technical Issue | Relevance to users |
|---|---|---|
| Covidence | Headings have been added to titles on screening pages | Blind screen reader users can more easily navigate through the titles list during screening phases. |
| Tricco et al., (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine | Browser crashed when using the JAWS screen reader | Researchers who use the JAWS screen reader can now read the HTML-based articles without their browser crashing |
| PRESS Review | A standard PRESS document was not accessible | A more accessible version of a PRESS review is available as a Word document (email mweiler@wlu.ca) |
| Zotero 7 | Numerous issues | Screen reader users will find significant improvements with Zotero 7. However, there are still issues that will affect the efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction of Zotero. |
Problems
- While there are many significant improvements with it, Zotero 7.0 continues to have some issues that affect the screen reader user experiences
- Database platforms
- Web of Science evaluation, by the Library Accessibility Alliance, Dec 31, 2023
Partnerships
- In collaboration with Laurier graduate student Ashley Shaw, the library presented to a Southern Ontario-based community of practice to raise awareness of obstacles
- An inter-university library response group met to discuss responding
- If you would like to partner in responding, email mweiler@wlu.ca