Championing Data Accessibility: Guidance For Accessible Data and Data Repositories

How do you make shared research data accessible to disabled individuals, such as blind or deaf scholars? Digital accessibility guidance does exist but is often not applied to the research data context, with only one or two exceptions. Starting in late 2024, a group of data information professionals formed a working group to examine how new U.S. ADA Title II rulings would impact data and data repositories and summarize accessibility standards and best practices for datasets and repository platforms. The report, published in 2026, is freely available at https://osf.io/uydpe/files/8c6d9 (draft/pre-print) and contains three subsections: how the new ADA Title II requirements apply to data and repositories; guidance for making repository platforms accessible; and recommendations for making datasets accessible.

This presentation will share practical highlights from the report, including key takeaways on how to make different data formats accessible, planning for repository accessibility, and potential challenges to implementing accessibility guidance. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of accessibility standards and best practices applied to research data and knowledge of where to find more information.