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It’s #GuideFriday!

This week, we’re highlighting the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf blog post “What is Deaf Culture” by Joanne Cripps. This article explains how “Deaf” with a capital D is its own culture, separate from the larger ‘mainstream’ society, with its own language and shared values.

Read the blog post here: https://deafculturecentre.ca/what-is-deaf-culture/

What is Deaf Culture? | DEAF CULTURE CENTRE

What is Deaf Culture? By Joanne CrippsEdited by Anita Small Deaf Culture – how does one define it? Where do we find Deaf Culture? Who decides that this is a culture? What constitutes Deaf Culture? These are questions we are commonly asked. Deaf Culture is the heart of the Deaf community everywhere in the world.…

DEAF CULTURE CENTRE
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Happy #GuideFriday!

This week, we have the resource “Philosophy: What is Inclusive Design?” by the Inclusive Design Research Centre. This resource provides an overview of the differences between inclusive design and universal design.

You can read it here: https://idrc.ocadu.ca/about/philosophy/

Philosophy - Inclusive Design Research Centre

An international community of open source developers, designers, researchers, educators and co-designers who work together to proactively ensure that emerging technology and practices are designed inclusively.

Inclusive Design Research Centre
NNELSJan 30

It’s #GuideFriday! This week, we have a guide on “Captioning & description” from the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for you. It covers topics like captioning videos, live events and presentations, audio descriptions, editing automatic captions, and more.

You can explore the resources here: https://www.torontomu.ca/accessibility/guides-resources/captioning/

Captioning & Description

How to create accessible video and audio content.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
NNELSJan 23

Happy #GuideFriday everyone! To celebrate World Braille Day, we are sharing the report “Improving braille availability in Canadian public libraries” by Michelle Creedy, Holly Hoffman, Kerry Kijewski, Marcia Yale, and Mary Ellen Gabias.

This study covers:
- The history of and information about braille.
- An overview of the issues in producing and accessing braille.
- Recommendations on how to address these challenges.

Read it here: https://nnels.ca/braillestudy

NNELSJan 16
Our #GuideFriday resource this week will help you learn “What is an Accessible Book” by Laura Brady. This short and informative blog post provides an overview of what accessible books are and what the publishing industry needs to do to ensure that more accessible books are available for people with print disabilities. You can read it here: https://laurabrady.ca/blog/what-is-an-accessible-book
What Is an Accessible Book? — Laura Brady

An accessible book is a book that has features which make reading possible for people with disabilities. It is one that can be read in ways other than reading print. Header image alt: Books about books being held up by a bookend of a woman shelving books. Includes books by Robert Bringhurst, Jan Tsc

Laura Brady
NNELSJan 9

Happy #GuideFriday everyone! This week, we’re featuring the “Access to libraries for persons with disabilities – Checklist” by Birgitta Irvall, Gyda Skat Nielsen, and the IFLA Standing Committee of Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons (LSDP). This resource offers:
- Strategies for making libraries accessible
- A rights-based approach to library services
- Information for library leaders and managers
- And more!

Learn more here: https://repository.ifla.org/items/b629967c-c0b3-4fb8-92d7-099783b72ba5

Access to libraries for persons with disabilities - CHECKLIST

In many countries all over the world, access for patrons with disabilities to use libraries is not yet available or even expected. In order to provide equal opportunities for all library users, it is necessary to look with the eyes of these patron groups at the physical condition of library buildings, as well as library services and programs. This checklist – developed by the IFLA Standing Committee of Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons (LSDP) – is designed as a practical tool for all types of libraries (public, academic, school, special) to 1) assess existing levels of accessibility to buildings, services, materials and programs and to 2) enhance accessibility where needed. Accessibility needs of library staff are beyond the scope of this document.

NNELSJan 2

For the first #GuideFriday of 2026, join NNELS for an Accessible Social Media webinar!

Discover how libraries can make their social media and newsletters accessible spaces for everyone. Dive into topics like crafting alt-text, formatting hashtags, using emojis effectively, and using headers correctly. Learn to make your marketing inclusive!

When: Thursday, January 15th at 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern.

Register now: https://bclaconnect.ca/resources/continuing-education-resources/beyond-hope-virtual-reboot-series/accessible-social-media/

Accessible Social Media and Newsletters | BCLA

Title: Accessible Social Media and Newsletters Description: This presentation will explore how libraries can create accessible social media and newsletters for their patrons. From creating alt-text to formatting hashtags and understanding the importance of using headers in your newsletter, this presentation will cover the best practices you can apply to engage all your patrons. Let’s […]

BCLA
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It’s the last #GuideFriday of 2025!

We’re excited to share a new resource for libraries to promote braille in January for World Braille Day. Created by AEBC, AERO, BLC, CCB, CELA, CNIB Beyond Print, CNIB Foundation, NNELS, and PRCVI, “Library Programming for World Braille Days: Resources for Libraries” is available on the Accessible Libraries website.

You can read it here: https://accessiblelibraries.ca/resources/library-programming-for-world-braille-days-resources-for-libraries/

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It’s #GuideFriday!

This week, we’re sharing a summary of the “Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems Standards” developed by Accessibility Standards Canada. These standards aim to help organizations that are, or plan to be, incorporating AI technologies ensure equal benefits and rights for people with disabilities, and protect their rights and choices.

You can read the standards here: https://accessible.canada.ca/creating-accessibility-standards/overview-asc-62-accessible-equitable-artificial-intelligence-systems

Summary of CAN-ASC-6.2:2025 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada

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Happy #GuideFriday, everyone! This week, we have the article, “Keeping up with Implicit Bias” by Tarica LaBossiere, Endia Paige, and Beau Steenken, published by the Association of College & Research Libraries. The article examines the impact implicit bias has on libraries and strategies for combating it.

Read “Keeping up with Implicit Bias” here: https://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/bias

Keeping Up With… Implicit Bias

This edition of Keeping Up With… was written by Tarica LaBossiere, Endia Paige, and Beau Steenken.