Databases and Digital Accessibility

Accessibility Features by Database Vendor (Document-Oriented Databases)

To find key digital accessibility features for our largest database vendors, please consult the list below. Vendors for multimedia content (i.e., streaming video) are in a separate list with notations for accessibility features specific to combined sound and visual playback elements. For more complete and detailed information about database vendor accessibility, please consult the audit results for e-resources testing conducted by the Library Accessibility Alliance.

Contact Tulane's Office of Campus Accessibility for additional support and information on digital accessibility at Tulane.

Accessibility features that are evaluated include:

  • Text-to-speech capability
  • Transcripts, captioning, and audio description
  • Keyboard-only navigation
  • Presence of alt text
  • Availability of multiple file formats (PDF, HTML, EPUB, etc.)

EBSCO

  • Built-in text-to-speech capabilities
  • Transcripts for videos and audiobooks
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Alternative text available when provided by the publisher
  • Some materials are provided in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, EPUB, etc.) 
  • Learn more about EBSCO’s accessibility features

Elsevier

  • Built-in text-to-speech capabilities (through individual account)
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Alternative text
  • Some materials are provided in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, EPUB, etc.)
  • Learn more about Elsevier’s accessibility features

Gale Cengage

  • Built-in text-to-speech capabilities for HTML articles
  • Transcripts and captions for video and audio content
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Alternative text available when provided by the publisher
  • Some materials are provided in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, EPUB, etc.)
  • Learn more about Elsevier’s accessibility features

JSTOR

  • Transcripts and captions available for JSTOR generated content (How-to and support videos)
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation; 3rd party content not guaranteed to have keyboard navigation
  • Alternative text is available for JSTOR-generated content; 3rd party content not guaranteed to have alternative text
  • Most content available as PDF with some tagging; reformatting for more robust tagging can be requested
  • Learn more about JSTOR’s accessibility features

Oxford University Press

Project Muse

  • Transcripts and captions for Project Muse-generated content; varies with content not generated by Project Muse
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Alternative text is provided for images and icons within user interface; varies with content not generated by Project Muse
  • Multiple file formats for journal articles
  • Learn more about Project Muse’s accessibility features

ProQuest

  • Searchable transcripts and captions for the majority of video content
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Alternative text is present within the user interface. Image descriptions supported when provided by the publisher
  • Full-text HTML and PDFs available for some content
  • Learn more about ProQuest’s accessibility features

Readex AllSearch

Sage Journals

  • Some podcasts have transcripts available. To check transcript availability, click on the title to go to the podcast's description
  • Interface accessible through keyboard-only navigation
  • Some titles, particularly older ones, do not have alternative text available for figures and other graphics
  • Multiple formats (including PDF and EPUB)
  • Learn more about Sage Journal’s accessibility features

Web of Science

  • Closed captions provided for video tutorials and help files.
  • General keyboard navigation is supported. Safari is not well supported without use of assistive technology
  • Alternative text available for most images and non-text material
  • Learn more about Web of Science’s accessibility features
Accessibility Features by Database Vendor (Multimedia & Streaming Databases)

Vendors for multimedia content, including streaming video, are contained in the list below. Attention has been given to accessibility features that impact combined sound and visual playback elements. For more complete and detailed information about database vendor accessibility, please consult the audit results for e-resources testing conducted by the Library Accessibility Alliance.

Accessibility features that are evaluated include:

  • Keyboard-only playback navigation
  • Transcripts, captioning, and audio description
  • Keyboard-only site navigation

AVON

  • Keyboard controls for video playback and site navigation
  • Transcripts and/or captions exist for 95% of videos in English, but 0% non-English videos
  • Video descriptions not widely available, with limited exceptions
  • Music descriptions not available, but audio-described video is available on request
  • Learn more about Avon’s accessibility features 

DocuSeek2

  • Keyboard controls for video playback and site navigation
  • Provides captions and descriptions for most pre-recorded videos; some 3rd-party videos not captioned
  • Transcript availability not noted (over 96% of videos are either close captioned, subtitled, or have no dialogue)
  • Learn more about DocuSeek2’s accessibility features 

Kanopy

  • Keyboard controls for video playback
  • Some keyboard navigation; often content can only be used with mouse; in limited cases, custom controls are not keyboard accessible
  • Includes closed captions, but not synchronized with pre-recorded video; use of audio descriptions is allowed
  • Learn more about Kanopy’s accessibility features 

Swank

  • Keyboard controls for video playback and site navigation
  • Includes closed captions and subtitles; some titles lack captioning
  • Audio descriptions not currently available, but will be in the future if available from content creator
  • Learn more about Swank’s accessibility features 

Document-Oriented Vendors Listed

  • EBSCO
  • Elsevier
  • Gale Cengage
  • JSTOR
  • Oxford University Press
  • Project MUSE
  • ProQuest
  • Readex AllSearch
  • Sage Journals
  • Web of Science

 

Multimedia/Streaming Vendors Listed

  • Academic Video Online (AVON)
  • DocuSeek2
  • Kanopy
  • Swank