PALCI Accessibility Commitment and Statement of Practice

PALCI is committed to advancing equitable, cost-effective access to information and library services. Accessibility is core to this mission.

In support of its member institutions, PALCI works to promote the availability of electronic resources and library technology services that are accessible to users with disabilities and aligned with recognized accessibility standards.

As a consortium, PALCI facilitates and negotiates license and service agreements on behalf of its members for published electronic resources, digital content, and related library technology services. These agreements vary in scope, purpose, and date of execution. While PALCI does not directly develop or operate the licensed platforms or services, it incorporates accessibility considerations into its licensing, documentation, and renewal processes to the extent permitted within its role.

PALCI’s Role in Supporting Accessibility

In the development and renewal of agreements, PALCI staff:

  • Provide members with information regarding platform and content accessibility features, where available.

  • Review and negotiate license terms and conditions that address accessibility.

  • Request and distribute accessibility documentation from providers, including VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates), Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), HECVATs (Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit), or other related materials.

  • Facilitate member feedback to content and service providers, including concerns about accessibility functionality, particularly during renewal discussions.

  • Advocate for improved accessibility practices and transparency among licensing partners.

Accessibility documentation provided by content and service partners is made available to members through the PALCI ConsortiaManager portal. Members may also request copies of license terms and related documentation directly from PALCI staff at any time.

PALCI strives to ensure its partners’ compliance with federal and state accessibility standards. Currently that means meeting WCAG 2.1 AA Standards, however we strive for the most up-to-date available guidelines, currently WCAG 2.2 AA Standards.

Scope and Limitations

PALCI does not own, operate, or control third-party electronic platforms or services licensed under its agreements. As a result, PALCI does not have the authority or capacity to modify vendor products or directly enforce technical compliance with accessibility standards.

Compliance obligations, remedies, and enforcement mechanisms are governed by the specific terms of each license agreement. In some cases, remedies for noncompliance may be limited and may not include refunds. Once a resource is licensed and invoiced, cancellation or modification is generally subject to the discretion of the content or service provider and the terms of the agreement.

Member Responsibilities

Member institutions retain responsibility for ensuring that licensed resources and services meet their local legal, policy, and accessibility requirements. When subscribing to resources or procuring services through a PALCI agreement, institutions are encouraged to:

  • Review license terms to confirm alignment with institutional accessibility standards and obligations.

  • Consult with local procurement, legal, and accessibility officers to ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable law.

  • Carefully evaluate vendor-provided accessibility documentation (e.g., VPATs/ACRs) and assess its adequacy for local needs.

  • Provide documented feedback to vendors and to PALCI staff regarding accessibility barriers, including identified discrepancies between stated and actual conformance.

  • Decline or discontinue subscriptions that do not meet institutional accessibility requirements, in accordance with applicable license terms.

  • Notify PALCI staff of emerging accessibility concerns or evolving institutional requirements to inform future negotiations and advocacy.

Ongoing Commitment

PALCI recognizes that accessibility is an evolving area shaped by legal, technological, and user-centered developments. PALCI staff endeavor to reflect member accessibility priorities transparently in current and future agreements and to support collective advocacy for improved accessibility among licensing partners. PALCI maintains an Accessibility Roadmap (available via Basecamp to all PALCI members) that articulates its efforts to further support accessibility outcomes, in conversation with the PALCI Board and member needs.

For additional information regarding current accessibility standards and legal frameworks, including ADA Title II Regulations and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), members are encouraged to consult institutional counsel and authoritative guidance. Members are also encouraged to review testing documentation provided by the Library Accessibility Alliance with respect to electronic resource compliance.

Accessibility Contact

Alison Bradley
support@palci.org