Beyond Ramps Library Accessibility in the Real World Instructor: Marti Goddard An Infopeople Workshop Summer / Fall 2006

This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis. For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the project, go to the Infopeople website at infopeople.org.

Introductions Your name Your library Your position Why are you taking this class? Who is the first person with a disability you ever knew or saw?

 Feeling comfortable talking with all of our users is essential to providing excellent public service.  Using “people first” language shows respect to people with disabilities. People First Language

Who are we talking about? In a Census Bureau Survey of Income and Participation (conducted June – September, 2002) 51.2 million people in the non-institutionalized population had some level of disability  18.1% of the population  8.4% of people under age 15  19.4% of people aged 45 – 54  38.4% of people aged 65 – 69  71.7% of people aged 80+ People of all ages, in all racial and ethnic groups and all socioeconomic groups have disabilities.

Exercise #1 Accessibility Basics

Defining “disability” Moral model: disability is the result of sin Medical model: disability is a defect or sickness that must be cured Rehabilitation model: disability is a deficiency that must be fixed by a rehabilitation professional or other helping professional

Disability Model Disability is a normal aspect of life, not a deviance. People with disabilities are not defective. Social discrimination and the built environment cause the most significant problems experienced by individuals with disabilities.

According to the World Health Organization, a handicap “is a function of the relationship between disabled persons and their environment. It occurs when they encounter cultural, physical, or social barriers which prevent their access to the various systems of society that are available to other citizens. Thus, handicap is the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the life of the community on an equal level with others.” - from the United Nations, World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons

Exercise #2 No Pets Allowed. Service Animals in the Library

This is not my pet…

It’s the law! Civil Rights Act (1964) Rehabilitation Act (1973) –Section 504 (1978) –Section 508 (1998) Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) California Fair Employment and Housing Act (amended 2001)

Essential Legal Definitions Disability Major Life Activity Qualified Individual Reasonable Accommodation

Policies, Practices and Procedures: Public entities are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination, unless they can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program or activity being provided.

ALA Code of Ethics, 1995 We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests. It’s the right thing to do!

Accessible Libraries It’s the law! And… it’s the right thing to do! Well-trained staff, flexibility and good tools transform accessible buildings into accessible libraries.

High Tech Solutions Assistive Technology To create a successful AT program Work as a team – AT users, ADA Coordinator, public service staff, IT staff Decide what to install and why you have it Agree on who can use it Figure out how to give users with disabilities priority use Train staff – and figure out about user training Market the service

The Most Important Solution Welcoming and sensitive staff Ready access to written policy and guidelines that supports front-line staff “Attitudes are the real disability.”

Automatic Doors

Clear Signs

Oakland Public Library Pictographs

Disability Community Bulletin Boards

Universal Design Elegant, broad-spectrum solutions that make products, services and environments as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of ability Previously labeled "barrier-free" or "handicapped accessible“ Supports inclusion rather than segregated services

Exercise #3 Helping Users who are Blind or have Vision Disabilities

Downloadable Audio –Also available from NLS Regional and Subregional libraries – “Unabridged Digital Audio Books” NetLibrary & Recorded Books, Inc.

CCTV – Closed Circuit Television

Enlarged Text

Braille Devices

Low Tech Solutions Hand-held magnifiers Black “Bold Write” pens Signature guides Large type rulers Stick-on large-type black-on-white key caps

Standards Revised Standards of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 2005 Published by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association. guidelines.htm

Exercise #4 Helping Users who have Learning Disabilities

Talking Dictionaries and Talking Calculators

Exercise #5 Helping Users who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Assistive Listening Devices

Real-Time Captioning

Closed Captioned Videos and DVDs

TTYs / Text Telephones

Videophones and Video Relay Services

Captioned Media Program Open-captioned films and videos that can be borrowed by individuals or for showing to audiences with deaf members More than 100 streaming videos available through the Internet Administered by the National Association of the Deaf

Guidelines Library and Information Services for the American Deaf Community, 1995 (under revision) Published by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association. guidelines.htm

Exercise #6 Helping Users who have Speech Disabilities

Exercise #7 Helping Users who have Developmental Disabilities

Guidelines Library Services for People with Mental Retardation, 1999 Published by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association. guidelines.htm

Exercise #8 Helping Users who have Psychiatric Disabilities

Guidelines Guidelines for Library Services for People with Mental Illnesses, 2006 (pending) Published by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association. guidelines.htm

Exercise #9 Helping Users who have Mobility or Dexterity Disabilities

Reachers / Grabbers

Wheeled Walkers with Seats - Rollators

Easy-to-Adjust Workstations and Alternative Input Devices

Exercise #10 Make an Accessibility Policy for Your Library

ALA Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy Unanimously approved by the ALA Council, the governing body of the American Library Association on January 16, 2001 Written by the Americans with Disabilities Act Assembly - now the Accessibility Assembly - a representational group administered by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association

Accessibility Policy Sections Title Purpose Services Facilities Collections Assistive Technology Employment Professional Development Programs & Meetings Publications and Communications

Title __________ Library Services for Persons with Disabilities Policy -or- __________ Library Accessibility Policy

Purpose The San Francisco Public Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse community. The Accessibility Programs of the Library will assure that no patron is denied access.

“Nothing About Them Without Them”

Do as I say, not as I do! Include people with disabilities in your staff training programs.

Disability Culture A New Definition of “Disability” Cultural Heroes –Laurent Clerc –Louis Braille –Helen Keller –Franklin Delano Roosevelt –Ed Roberts and the Rolling Quads –I. King Jordan

Shared History –Holocaust –circus freaks –residential schools and camps –institutionalized living –“Jerry’s Kids” –political activism

Shared Struggle for Rights –WPA protest (1935) –504 protest (1977) –ADAPT actions (1990 and continuing)

Art Exploring Expression of the “Disability Experience” –fiction and poetry –theater and film –photography, painting, sculpture

Attitude and Language –“Disability is natural.” –“People first” language –no longer “other” –rejection of “medical model” –pride in differences

Video The Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities

Exercise #11 Make a Plan to Improve Accessibility in Your Library

Please fill out your evaluation, Thank you for participating. Enjoy making your library more accessible!