PDA Event: Enhancing Accessibility: How the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF are Creating Accessible Environments

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

This presentation will demonstrate how the library system at an R1 public university is striving to ensure that physical and digital spaces are accessible for all users. Librarians across branches of the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF will discuss their experiences and projects related to accessibility, so that participants can evaluate the applicability of UF’s endeavors to their own institutions and scale the projects to serve the needs of their patrons.

Learning objectives:

After this presentation, attendees will be able to:

  • Understand the context in which the UF Libraries operate and recognize how their institutions are similar and/or different.
  • Recognize gaps and strengths in the accessibility services at their institutions.
  • Evaluate the applicability of UF’s accessibility projects at their own institutions. 
  • Construct accessibility projects at their own institutions and scale projects to meet the needs of their users

Presenters:

Hannah Whitaker is the Women’s and Gender Studies Librarian and Research Services Coordinator at the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. Accessibility is a primary research focus of hers.

Jane Morgan-Daniel is the Community Engagement & Health Literacy Liaison Librarian at the University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries. Jane is also the Liaison Librarian for the Departments of Health Education and Behavior, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and the Rehabilitation Science program.  

Matthew Daley is a web designer and accessibility lead for Library Technology Services at the University of Florida Libraries. 

Chris Eaton is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries’ Borland Library.

Register to attend 

Hosted by FLVC