Digital Accessibility in the Library

We want everyone to be able to use our digital resources. We follow OHSU’s accessibility policies and general web accessibility best practices. 

If you find anything that affects your ability to use our online Library content, please fill out OHSU’s Report a Disability Access Barrier form. Your request will be sent to the right team. 

Library website  

  • Our main website (ohsu.edu/library) is part of the larger OHSU website. It is designed to be as accessible as possible. OHSU follows the World Wide Web Consortium's WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
  • Some pages, like resource guides and our online catalog, are on platforms from vendors outside OHSU. We are working with those vendors to make sure they meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. 

If you find anything on Library web pages that is not accessible, please use the Report a Disability Access Barrier form.  

Library digital resources 

Licensed e-resources 

Most of our online materials (journal articles, ebooks, data sets, videos, and databases) are created and hosted by outside companies, distributors, or publishers. Because we do not control these systems, we cannot always fix accessibility problems within them. 

If you have a disability and run into barriers while using these licensed resources, you have options: 

  • OHSU students with disabilities can work with the Office for Student Access to get accessible versions of electronic textbooks.
  • Non‑OHSU members can contact us directly. We can help convert files into a format that works for you. Note: our licensing agreements mean that only certain non-OHSU members, such as affiliate faculty, can access licensed content.  

How we advocate for accessible e-resources  

We work with vendors to improve accessibility in the resources they provide. We ask them to: 

  • Submit documentation that explains how their products meet accessibility standards.
  • Fix accessibility problems quickly and give us accessible versions of materials as soon as they can.
  • Include accessibility promises in new and renewed contracts, showing they follow federal and state laws and WCAG 2.1 AA.
  • Take responsibility if they fail to meet accessibility standards. 

Digital Collections 

Our Digital Collections include: 

  • Research created at OHSU
  • Historical physical items owned by the Library that have been scanned and put online 

Starting in April 2026, new items added to our institutional repository (like theses, dissertations, and capstones) must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. 

If you find an older digitized item that is not accessible and you need an accessible version, use the “Get Accessible Copy” form on the item’s page. 

We are working with the vendor to make sure the Digital Collections site meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. 

Around OHSU 

For more information about OHSU’s accessibility compliance, visit ADA Compliance and Accessibility.