June 11, 2018, Conference Call Minutes

Task Force to Revise Best Practices for Working with Archives Employees and Archives Researchers with Physical Disabilities

Conference Call Minutes
June 11, 2018

Open discussion for subject groups to share on the work they completed thus far 

• Physical disability, including temporary disability: Alan, Lydia and Daria 
  
  • Lydia has shared a number of documents recently for this section. Need your eyes and feedback on these! 
  • Central place for the resources – Kathy will compile on microsite. ( Resource list for task force)
• Invisible disabilities: Krystal and Sara 
  
  • Create a definition of “disability” and differentiate between visible and invisible disabilities.  
  • Users, donors, and employees – all important groups to address in this document.  
    

    • Daria: Consider eliminating labels (of role within archives) and just focus on how to make the archives accessible overall, for everyone. This would also allow us to remove distinction between “temporary” or “permanent” disability.  We could adopt the term: "diverse abilities"

    • Kathy: Must also remember some federal guidelines that apply specifically for employees of an institution. (Some may apply to all groups, but not necessarily all.) Mention briefly in the introduction and then treat all groups as equal throughout the document.  

  • (Sara) Develop a section on communication, perhaps near the beginning? 
• Web accessibility: Kathy and Donna 
  
  • In progress, addressing both websites and third-party websites (which can be more difficult to control). 

Brainstorming on ideas for fulfilling this part of our charge:

• Share draft Best Practices with selected individuals for comment and review;
  
  • Lydia’s manuscript group;
  • Donna will pull some names from recent discussions;
• Share draft Best Practices with appropriate Sections, such as Archives Management and Records Management; and
  
  • Diversity Committee; Archives Management Section; Records Management Section; RAO Section; Security Section
  • Felicia will confirm TF room/table reserved at Annual Meeting.
• Non-SAA groups to review:
  
  • Departments of disability studies (Sara)
  • Possible idea: connect with researchers in DC to hold a focus group at the Annual Meeting (Daria) – Washington Public Library, - both info for the survey and get feedback on draft guidelines. Make sure those we invite are already familiar with archives.
• Seek member comment on a draft and revise accordingly prior to submitting a final draft to the Council.
  
  • SAA Website, Announcements List, SAA Leader List, In The Loop, etc.

PLAN:Share with specific individuals first, then share within SAA/archival community, and finally share a more polished version with the wider community.

Launch broad call for comments a few weeks prior to AM, then follow up with space in DC for attendees to share comments on the draft.

Survey Monkey with three/four questions they can respond to, rather than a general call for open-ended comments.

And ask if they have any suggestions/plans they have implemented. Success stories we can share and learn from!

Have a Google Document that anyone can comment on directly (but cannot edit).

Should have both website and PDF versions of the best practices, and perhaps also audio available - or suggest screen readers? Make sure page is built to accomodate screen readers.

SAA Council’s request for the Task Force to submit a draft of their revision  

• Discussion of how to use Lydia’s template and combine both Best Practices
• Discussion of how to review each other’s work prior to submitting to Council
  
  • Kathy, Sara, and Lydia will work on smoothing out a final draft.
• Agree on July date to submit draft to SAA Council.

Consider plans for future revision cycle. Is there a standing group that can maintain/keep an eye on this document? We can see if a group volunteers to "adopt" our document and concerns.  If not, we can approach a few select groups about this.  Should a section/discussion list be established?

To Do by June 22nd (that's next Friday!)

Have your completed section incorporated as part of the Google Doc so we can all begin commenting on it, and merging it into one document.