The Accessible Library - How to include people with disabilities? Project initiator Project initiator: The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority Project libraries: Sarpsborg Library Tønsberg and Nøtterøy Library Deichmanske Library, Torshov Branch, Oslo Presentation by: Advisers Aina Olsen (project manager) and Randi Røed Andersen Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, Delta Centre Tønsberg and Nøtterøy Library

Access to the library building Accessibility guide Assessment Two examples of barriers. Lack of: –Information signpost –Guide strips Local action plans Short check list Sarpsborg Library Deichmanske Library, Torshov Branch, Oslo

Access to the databases and the www Visually impaired: Braille display, CCTV, magnification software, speech synthesis, scanning software with OCR, braille printer Hearing impaired: Inductive loop systems Dyslectics: Speech synthesis and spell checker Physically handicapped: Adjustable desks People with muscular control problems: Ergonomic pointing devices

Accessible websites Web accessibility initiative (WAI guidelines) – usability for people with disabilities Evaluation of the web sites Written reports Measures to improve web accessibility

DAISY – a more accessible talking book The DAISY standard – acronym for Digital Talking Book Easier to navigate Normally one book in one CD-ROM Up to 50 hours of sound DAISY players to lend out to library users

Information officers - ”a helping hand” One of the information officers Jobs for people with a disability High qualification standard Individual workplace design Training and customer service course Task: to assist the public to market the new services to maintain the technical devices

User involvement Board with representatives from organisations of disabled people Focus groups of local representatives: identify user needs give feed-back to The Accessibilty Guide assess the library buildings Resource groupe: test the services Information officers: log the experiences Goal: Usable and user-friendly services

Status and expected outcomes Commissional phase: Project termination October 2004 New user groups in the libraries Useful and user-friendly services Job alternative for people with a disability Other libraries follow our example Towards more universal and inclusive design and main stream products Change of focus; from handicap and disability to environmental barriers Decrease in discrimination of people with disabilities