The Minnesota Legislature Digital Accessibility Policy was adopted by the Legislative Coordinating Committee on October 15, 2024. This policy helps guide Minnesota legislative employees’ understanding of how digital accessibility impacts their work. Please visit Accessibility Services to learn more about the legislature’s commitment to accessibility. The Legislature also hosts a Frequently Asked Questions on Accessibility.
To support the efforts of the Legislature, the Library recently added two books on accessibility. Dark and Silent Office: A Digital Accessibility Guidebook for Inclusive Communication in the Workplace, focuses on changes you can bring to your organization to make it more accessible. The author offers several accessibility tool and technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, magnification software, captioning and transcription services, and visual and vibrating alert systems. The book contains tips and checklists on how to make physical and digital meetings and communications more inclusive. Dark and Silent Office is written for everyone from community members to human resources managers.
The second addition to the Library’s collection, Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally, is a real-world guide book on speaking about disabilities and good disability etiquette. “This book is a 101 on certain aspects of disability for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding and be a stronger ally, regardless of whether they identify as disabled. Use it as a reference, a resource, a jumping-off point, or a conversation starter.” The book starts with a table of 'say this' and 'not this' phrases and terms in conversing on disabilities and ends with a list of resources for additional information.