Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries project: initiated by the Union of Librarians and Information Service Officers /ULISO/ supported by the British Council, Bulgaria implemented within one year (March 2005 – March 2006) Mission: To create a model for information service for people with disabilities in libraries based on electronic information and Internet and in accordance with the traditions, the current state of Bulgarian libraries and the leading British expertise.

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries Specific objectives of the project: Enhancing the understanding and support of the executive authorities and society at large regarding the role and the place of libraries as the most democratic institutions securing free access to electronic information for people with disabilities. Stimulating partnership between the libraries throughout the country (special, public, school, university, etc), as well as between the libraries and other governmental and nongovernmental organisations in securing access to electronic information for people with disabilities. Providing opportunity for training of people with disabilities in libraries in using Internet and electronic resources. Promoting the opportunities that libraries can offer to provide contemporary information services for people with disabilities and adapting electronic library resources.

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries Participants - 31 libraries: St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library Central Scientific and Technical Library 23 public libraries /regional, municipalities, chitalishte/ 6 university libraries Our partners: Union of Visually Impaired People Horizonts Foundation Central Library for Visually Impaired People

Activities: Exploring UK Libraries’ experience Raise awareness of senior Library specialists Creating a web portal Editing a guide for LIS specialists Creating specialised working places in 9 Libraries Training Librarians for serving visually impaired people Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries

Output 1:

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries The website of the project is unique, offering collection of different types of information resources: In aid of special needs of people with disabilities (selected websites of state and nongovernmental organizations; national strategies, normative documents; forms, references, etc.) Library full-text resources (Bulgarian libraries’ own full-text multi-topical resources) Useful Internet resources and collections (free - access resources on the web selected by the libraries) General information about libraries. Library collections. Electronic catalogues. Electronic publications – journals, bibliographies, bulletins, etc.

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries Resources: In aid of people with disabilities (websites of state and NGO organisations, national strategies, legislation, forms, etc) Specialized bibliographic database of publications on the issues of people with disabilities Digital library of Bulgarian fiction literature Collection of Bulgarian electronic journals and newspapers Union catalogues Others The website has been built and it will be further developed by the experts of the University Library “St. Kliment Ohridski” of Sofia University.

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries 9 reading places for people with visual impairments 9 libraries, equipped with: JAWS for Windows Speech Lab 2.0. Output 2:

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries

Output 3:

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries Content Libraries and serving people with disabilities Fine Reader & JAWS for Windows Guide UK experience in serving people with disabilities Disability provision in UK academic libraries Issues in electronic library provision for disabled users Bulgarian experience in serving people with disabilities

Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries

Conclusion The “Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian Libraries” project is yet another step towards the strengthening the image of the libraries in Bulgaria as actively contributing to the equal participation of all Bulgarian citizens in the information society based on knowledge. The project is open-ended because the Internet portal that has been created will continue its development with the active commitment of many new partners and supporters.

Thank you!