Inclusive Libraries Netspeed 2005

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Inclusive Libraries - Netspeed 2005 -

• Margaret Harris
• Harris Knowledge Associates
• Amber Zary
• Vegreville Public Library
• Christine Nelson
• Alberta Community Development

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Project for Vegreville Public Library

• Develop an Adaptive Technology Plan
• Include both high-tech and low-tech approaches
• Aimed to small-medium libraries with limited
  resources and staff
• Thanks to the funding organization Persons with
  Developmental Disabilities

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Topics

• Needs assessment
• What libraries are already doing
• Some facts and figures
• Planning for adaptive technology
• Low-tech vs. high-tech
• Building design
• Administrative and staffing issues
• Online resources

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Needs Assessment

• A crucial first step
• Who are we serving?
• Who do we want to serve?
• What are their needs and wishes RE library use?
• What kinds of assistive technology do they use
  already?

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Discussion

• What are we doing already, to make our libraries
  and library services inclusive for persons with
  disabilities?

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Discussion

• large print collections
• audio books
• visunet
• DAISY readers books
• enhanced reader
• Kurzweil reader
• ramps in building
• accessible washroom
• visual alarm system
• adjustible workstation tables
• adult storytime

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Some Facts Figures

• Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
  (PALS)
• Statistics Canada, 2001
• See A Profile of Disability in Canada, 2001 -
  Tables
• http//www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/89-579-XIE/f
  ree.htm

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Incidence of Disability for Alberta (PALS)

• 10.7 Pain
• 9.7 Mobility
• 9.1 Agility
• 4.2 Hearing
• 2.3 Seeing
• 2.1 Psychological
• 1.8 Memory
• 1.8 Learning
• 1.3 Speech
• 0.5 Developmental

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Facts Figures (Microsoft study)

• Adult computer users in the US
• 1 in 4 has a vision difficulty
• 1 in 4 has a dexterity difficulty
• 1 in 5 has a hearing difficulty
• http//www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/default.asp
  x

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Adaptive Technology

• Definition Adaptive or Assistive Technology is
  intended to compensate for individuals
  functional limitations and serve as a liberating
  agent (from The Arc, http//www.thearc.org)
• What should libraries adopt? - Needs assessment
  is crucial

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Existing Technology

• How can we use technology already in the library?
• e.g. Windows has some accessibility features
  http//microsoft.com/enable/guides/default.aspx
• permit keyboard adjustments, bypass the mouse,
  magnify the screen, etc

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Low-Tech Devices

• Easy to maintain, require little training,
  relatively inexpensive
• e.g.
• Magnifying lenses and readers
• Book holders, page turners
• Foot rests, wrist rests
• Shelving that tilts

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Adaptive Workstations

• ALA recommended features
• Large Monitor (19 minimum)
• Keyboard features, e.g. large keys
• Mouse substitute, e.g. trackball
• Specialized software, e.g. for text
  magnification, reading systems
• Adjustable table and chair
• Adequate space (5 unobstructed)

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Discussion

• What is your librarys experience with adaptive
  workstations?

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Alternative Formats

• Trend diversity of formats
• Users needs will change as new technologies are
  developed
• e.g.
• Audiotape, videotape
• CD-ROM, DVD
• Large print, Braille, DAISY

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Website Design

• Design librarys site for accessibility
• e.g.
• Provide text alternatives
• Avoid difficult to read fonts
• Ensure reading order makes sense
• Use simple consistent layout
• Backgrounds with enough contrast
• Test for compliance

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Building Design

• The 1 barrier cited by persons with disabilities
• Some common problems
• Narrow doors
• Heavy doors
• Stairs
• Bathrooms

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Staff and Services

• The human element is vital well-trained,
  knowledgeable, empathetic staff
• Training recommended - use of
  specialized technology - working with
  persons with disabilities
• Maintenance and troubleshooting
• Promotion

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Budgeting and Implementation

• Inclusive libraries as a process
• Degree of access is a continuum (not
  all-or-nothing)
• Requires sustained commitment (not
  do-once-and-forget)
• Need a balance - accessibility within budgets
• What may not be possible now, may be in future

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Summary

• Libraries inclusivity can improve
• Needs assessments are critical
• Use facts and figures
• Develop a plan
• Low-tech vs. high-tech
• Alternative formats websites
• Building design
• Administrative and staffing issues

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Some Online Resources

• Canadian Guidelines on Library and Information
  Services for People with Disabilities
  http//www.cla.ca/about/disabils.htm
• The Accessible Canadian Library
  http//www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/p10/f2/eacc-ca
  n.pdf
• Accessible Library Workstations
  http//www.ala.org/ascala/asclaissues/access_libr_
  workstation.pdf

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More Online Resources

• Accessible Procurement Toolkit
  http//www.apt.gc.ca
• Accessible Web Design guidelines
  http//www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technolog
  y/universal.design.html
• Microsoft Guides by Disability
  http//microsoft.com/enable/guides/default.aspx

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More Online Resources

• Inclusive Libraries (Alberta Community
  Development - Persons with Developmental
  Disabilities - Athabasca University)
  http//www.inclusivelibraries.com