INCLUSIVE SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Abstract

Inclusive scholarly communication has become a contemporary challenge due to the increasing participation of persons with disabilities in higher education. Despite advances in inclusion policies and the Open Science movement, communicational and informational barriers still limit equitable access to scientific knowledge. This study aims to discuss the contribution of academic libraries to the promotion of accessibility in scholarly communication. It is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study based on a literature review and documentary analysis of accessibility standards and standards applied to scholarly communication, considering their different purposes and scopes. The results highlight the need for greater integration between accessibility guidelines and academic standards for document preparation, demonstrating the importance of mainstreaming accessibility throughout the processes of knowledge production and dissemination. It is concluded that academic libraries can act as strategic agents in promoting inclusive practices, contributing to the democratization of knowledge and the effective realization of the right to information.