Our Website Redesign Project and the Creation of a DEIA statement
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The document outlines the University of Michigan Library's website redesign project led by Rachel Vacek, emphasizing the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles. It details the project team structure, engagement strategies, and the development of a DEIA statement to guide the redesign process, ensuring user engagement and adherence to accessibility standards. The document also invites feedback and suggests that other libraries may adopt similar DEIA considerations in their projects.
Our Website Redesign Project and the Creation of a DEIA statement
- 1. Our Website Redesign Project and the Creation of a DEIA Statement Rachel Vacek, Head of Design & Discovery University of Michigan Library November 4, 2019
- 2. Web Presence Steering Committee Steward and champion a clear vision for the library’s public facing web presence A parent committee to: ● Web Content Coordinator Group ● Intranet Team ● Library Search Team ● Discovery & Access Advisory Group ● Website Redesign Project Team
- 3. WPSC Members Heidi Burkhardt Web Project Manager & Content Strategist Steve Griffes Senior Manager for User Services & Operations Outreach Robyn Ness Senior User Experience Specialist Alexa Pearce (co-chair) Head of Social Sciences & Clark Library Alan Piñon Director of Marketing and Communications Whitney Townsend Informationist Rachel Vacek (co-chair) Head of Design & Discovery Ken Varnum Senior Program Manager
- 4. Website Redesign Project Team Make the thing The redesigned site will: ● Invite and connect with our users ● Enable user engagement with the full breadth of resources that our library offers ● Adhere to current and emerging standards for accessibility and user experience ● Align with efforts to transform physical spaces
- 5. Why we developed our DEIA Statement Espouse and elevate principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our work Why: ● Received constructive criticism about lack of diversity in teams ● Accessibility, user research, inclusive language, etc., was built into the project from the beginning ● Attention to committee formation and approaches was mixed
- 6. Considerations Document and share our general approach to elevating DEIA principles and ensure they inform and accompany all stages of a project Questions we asked ourselves: ● How should we engage with the criticism we received? ● Not all diversity is visible, but is this an adequate response? ● How do we avoid tokenism? ● How do we adjust within existing limitations?
- 7. So we created a Website Redesign Project: DEIA Statement http://bit.ly/UMLibraryWebsiteDEIA
- 8. DEIA Statement - Outline ● Statement Purpose ● Team Structure and Engagement ○ Team Norms and Project Charter ○ Diversity of Membership ○ Inclusive Communication: Internal Focus ● User-Focused Methods and Practices ○ User Research and Usability Testing ○ Persona Development ○ Accessibility for Everyone ○ Inclusive Content ○ Equitable Access ● Resources
- 9. Sharing the DEIA Statement Seek out expertise, be open to feedback, and strive for transparency What we did: ● Sought feedback from Diversity and Inclusion Specialist and Accessibility Specialist ● Shared with Library Diversity Council and Digital Accessibility Team ● Held Brown Bag in May 2019
- 10. Being a model Practice intentionality in elevating DEIA principles when creating teams and doing project work Who’s adapting the approach in our library: ● Deans’ Office ● Library Service Design Program
- 11. Thank you! ● http://bit.ly/UMLibraryWebsiteDEIA ● What do you think? ● Could other types of teams and other libraries document DEIA considerations for the approach to and substance of their work? ● Is anything missing? Email Rachel at rvacek@umich.edu with questions or comments