#5 - Library services are handicapped accessible

Developing Success FactorsFor Illinois public libraries

Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future

Created by: Mary Wilkins Jordan, mary.wilkinsjordan@simmons.edu

Agenda

1. Introduction1. Introduction

2. Looking at different disabilities2. Looking at different disabilities

3. Legal and practical issues3. Legal and practical issues

4. Other resources and conclusion4. Other resources and conclusion

Introduction

In Developing Success Factors, we look at the attributes that people across Illinois said were most important to them for their library.

Library services are handicapped accessible should be a requirement of all libraries and is addressed in the Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future study.

If you think your library does not have handicapped patrons – could it be due to a lack of library services or assistance for this population?

Talk with community groups to see what services people need that a public library can provide.

– The last thing you want to do is to deny service to an entire group of people without learning some simple, easy things the library can do.

– The easiest way to find out what people need: Ask! (This, of course, applies in any situation.)

Need is increasing

The need is increasing for public libraries (along with other organizations) to provide services in a useful way to people with disabilities.– An aging population requiring more assistance,– Increasing numbers of veterans with disabilities,– Increasing numbers of people able to be independent

despite disabilities incurred after illness or injury

If this population is not using your library yet – they should be! Let’s look at some basic ideas for bringing in this population of people, who have a wide variety of different needs.

This is a large and wide issue

SensoryDifficulties

CognitiveIssues Homeless

Issues

MovementIssues

SpeechDifficulties

Lot of issues for libraries to deal with

for patrons

Lot of issues for libraries to deal with

for patrons

Very quick look…

In the next few slides, we will take a quick look at some ideas libraries may adopt to serve people in their communities who have disabilities.

Remember, the main thing about this topic is that you work for a public service organization, and you are serving the public. Some people just need different kinds of help when they come to the library.

Sensory Difficulties: Vision

Public libraries already provide a variety of services to people with vision impairments: regular programming, story times, large print materials and audio books are a few of the accessible services.

Know how to refer people to a local or regional Blind and Physically Handicapped (BPH) libraries for material in Braille. Not sure which region serves your library? Check out your county at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/who_we_are/talking_book_and_braille_service/bph_map.html

With easily-obtained additions, even more materials can be provided.

– Hand-held magnifiers help people see newspapers; – Software and a larger monitor help computer screens be blown up for easier viewing;– Printed library material (card application, board minutes, etc.) printed in large, easier to read,

type;– Web sites can be designed with colors, pictures, and inserts which can be read by a

person’s software.

Vision continued

Think about architectural details that are easily adjusted: • Restroom doors labeled in Braille, along with elevator keys,

entrances, book drops (inside and out) and library hour signs. • You may want to put in a raised “map” of the library floor plan.• Rearranging tables and chairs for clear walking space.

Remember to address people, letting them know you are there to help, or that you are moving; do not assume they will know.

Sensory Difficulties: Hearing

Many hearing-impaired people have trouble lip reading; like any other language spoken in your community, it is helpful to have someone (or several people) who can “speak” American Sign Language.

Be ready to write down notes and share them is easy to do in a library, but could be discussed in training so staff are ready and feel comfortable communicating this way.

Instant Messaging and e-mail for both circulation and reference questions can help get questions answered quickly and easily.

Library policies, procedures, forms, applications, and announcements are available on the Web site for easy viewing. This is good for everyone in the community!

Hearing continued

The Illinois Relay Center makes it possible for hearing-impaired and/or speech-impaired TTY phone customers to call persons or businesses without TTYs anywhere in Illinois 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential and billed at regular telephone rates.

To use the Illinois Relay Center:English TTY 1-800-526-0844 Voice 1-800-526-0857 Spanish TTY 1-800-501-0864 Voice 1-800-501-0865

What type of collection development does your library follow that supports the hearing impaired?

Speech Difficulties

You may encounter patrons who have no or very little understandable speech. Some of the same ideas useful for patrons with hearing impairments are be helpful here.

More people with impaired speech are able to communicate with the aid of technology. Small devices worn on the arm can help speak for a person not able to do it for themselves.

– Check out Robert Rummel-Hudson’s blog, dealing with his young daughter’s lack of speech and neurological issues: www.schuylersmonsterblog.com

– He also wrote a book about his daughter, Schuyler's Monster A Father's Journey with His Wordless Daughter.

What kinds of procedures exist in your library to deal with patrons who have speech difficulties?

Movement Issues

A few standards for barrier-free buildings:– Handicapped spaces space 12 feet or more wide– Walkways and ramps need to line up; curbs should not be more than

six inches high– At least one door needs to be usable by person in a wheelchair – at

least 32 inches wide, easy to operate (less than 10 lbs of pressure necessary)

– Switches for lights, heath, ventilation, windows, fire alarms, elevators, hand dryers and any other important controls reachable at a maximum height of 48 inches from the floor

– Nonskid material on stairs, with both gray and a high-contrast paint color

– Sinks and toilets accessible to wheelchairs

These do not need to be outrageously difficult; your architect should think of most of this,

or you can consult with your City for their standards.

Homeless Issues

Although this is probably not a population you envisioned when you started work, nearly every library serves the homeless. – You are not going to drive them away, and should not try; it is

better to figure out some ways to deal with this issue.– This topic is included here as this tends to be a population with a

lot of special challenges – up to and including physical and mental disabilities.

Look at your big goals of service: treating everyone fairly, and keeping everyone safe.– Develop policies to do this, but do not aim the policy at this – or

any other – specific population.– Doing so is short-sighted and illegal, not addressing the real

issues – Enforce all rules and policies consistently and fairly, and you are

on your way to providing quality service to ALL patrons.

Some homeless stats…

Most of the people we see in the library are chronic homeless, not crisis; they are not in a short-term but a long-term situation.– Average age is in the 30s– 75% have spent time in an institution – jail, mental

health facility, rehab center– At least 50% have drug or alcohol problems– At least 1/3 have severe mental illness– About 40% are military veterans– About 20% are families with kids

As an information provider, you could easily put together a handout with local social services info: counseling, emergency shelters, medical services, etc.– Give to all staff to distribute as necessary.

Legal and Practical Issues

Many libraries panic at the thought of potential expenses involved in meeting the needs of patrons with disabilities.– This does not have to be a money-intensive program.– And, remember – you will be helping many more

people come to the library; the trade-off in circulation and usage statistics helps offset any expenses incurred.

– As the population in your community ages, many things you set up for people with disabilities will be more frequently used by all ages.

Legal issues involving people with disabilities

Americans with

Disabilities Act

Architectural Barriers

Act

TEXT TEXT

Title II:requires an equal opportunity to benefit from all of your programs, services, and activities

Any building constructed, even partially, with federal money, must be accessible and usable

Mandates books be provided toblind and physicallyhandicappedpeople

Pratt-SmootAct

Copyright LawAmendment

Libraries can copy material to make it accessible, such as into an audio or Braille format

Money makes the world go ’round!

You are not obligated to tear apart your entire library to make it accessible. Nor are you required to bankrupt your collection development funds to bring in extra equipment.

There are many sources you may try for grant money or donations to allow you to provide services and equipment for your patrons.

LSTA grants have been written with this goal in mind, the United Way may be able to help or to point you toward an organization that can help, and your Library System should be able to assist you in looking for money.

The Electronic Branch

If your library does not already do so, now is the time to start thinking of your Web site as another branch of your library.

As such, it needs to be ADA accessible! Think about the variety of patrons you are serving, and those you could be serving – what needs to they have that you can serve with your electronic branch?

For good information on making your Web site accessible to a range of users, go to http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/Overview.html

Use some of these resources to test your library’s website.

Next up: Case Studies

A couple of case studies are presented next. These are common issues in the library world, but should inspire some discussion.

You can answer these individually, but there may be more value in sharing your ideas with a larger group – your department or with the library as a whole.

Even if a situation is presented that is not currently a problem in your library, it is helpful to think through a solution – maybe something different that you are trying now, or something which may help you in the future.

Case Study #1

A senior citizens group in your community contacted your library last week. They want to meet with staff to discuss ways to make the library more user friendly for seniors with low vision, difficulty walking, and difficulty with reaching and handling heavy items.

What are a few steps to get ready for this meeting?

What issues do you think will arise, and how do you think your library could best address them?

What steps has your library taken already to meet these needs?

Case Study #2

You have noticed a group of patrons who regularly come in together, who seem to be having difficulty using the library’s resources. You determine they have problems with vision, but want to use the library.

What are four things can be done to make library materials more usable for this group?

Does your library have policies in place for assisting people with vision problems, or with other disabilities?

Where would you start in suggesting such a policy, if it does not exist? What issues would be most crucial to cover?

Practice Exercise #1

Physical Library AccessIf you have access to a wheelchair, or similar assistive

device: start out in the parking lot and see how easy it is to get inside, to the circulation desk, to the reference desk, to the bathrooms, and up and down the stacks.

• Try it again, after you are more familiar with it, and focus on what you can do well.

• If a wheelchair is not available, try some other simulated disabilities to see how you can improve your service.

• Based on this exercise, what will you change at the library?

Practice Exercise #2

What is going on in this story?“Unas appana uas tre berrese. Mamma Berre, Pappa Berre, e Beibe

Berre. Live inna contri ni forresta. Nais ause. No mcggheggia. Uanna die Pappa, Mamma, e Beibe go biche en furghette locche di dorr. Bai enne baie commese Goldilocchese. Sci garra nattinghe to du batte meich trouble. Sci puscie olle fudde daon di maute, no live cromme. Den sci gos appesterrese enne slipse inne olle beddse, leise slobbe.” (From Wright and Davie – see references at end)

Most of you probably take your reading ability for granted, and you probably recognize this famous story. But this is a small simulation of the difficulties patrons with reading difficulties or mental handicaps may encounter when using a library.

Remember the frustration and annoyance you may have felt at not understanding everything you see – or that you might have heard.

Think about ways you can help to reduce that for your patrons who want to use the library!

Conclusion

This is a huge area, and we have just barely scratched at the surface of the issues involved for libraries and patrons.

Take some time to explore some of the background and some ideas for your library.

– Read through additional resources– Review the library’s census demographics– Talk to community organizations– Survey patrons, and non patrons, about their needs

and wants from the library

Training Opportunities

The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) can connect you with a regional CIL for staff training and to schedule a library accessibility walk-through. http://www.incil.org/

Additional resources

Library and Information Services for Handicapped Individuals, by Kieth C. Wright (not Keith) and Judith F. Davie.

Meeting the Needs of People with Disabilities: A Guide for Librarians, Educators, and Other Service Professionals, by Ruth A. Velleman.

Accessible Libraries on Campus: A Practical Guide for the Creation of Disability-Friendly Libraries, edited by Tom McNulty.

Serving Physically Disabled People An Information Handbook for all Libraries, by Ruth A. Velleman.

Dealing with Difficult People in the Library, by Mark R. Willis.