1. 10 Things to Make Your Library More Accessible
Kim Johnson
Public Library Services Branch
Sabina Iseli-Otto
National Network for Equitable Library Service

2. What is NNELS, anyway?
“National Network for Equitable Library Service” (See report: “Opening the Book” from Canadian Library Association, 2005) Funded and supported by the governments of AB, BC, MB, NS, NWT, NU, SK, YT
NNELS may be a terrible acronym and an even worse name but it comes from somewhere.
Specifically, it comes from a 2005 report from the CLA calling for the establishment of a National Network for Equitable Library Service because Canadians with print disabilities were being served poorly by a private organization, and this had been recognized as a problem for a long time.
NNELS is 100% funded by provincial and territorial governments.

3. Okay thanks, but that doesn’t tell us much…
NNELS is also: A website (nnels.ca) with lots of books. A team of a few people. An accessible format partner & producer. Focused on access through public libraries.
Team of a few people: three and a half people work directly for NNELS, but the ”network” part of the name is true: people like you in libraries work directly with the public, and every participating provincial government also invests staff time in helping direct the project.
Accessible format partner and producer:
NNELS produces books
also partners with organizations who are producers.
e.g. UBC Crane Library: 8 studios volunteers; when not recording books for students, record for NNELS.
Also give us everything they have, so we have neat-o pocket of academic material.
Lastly: NNELS is about ensuring that the patrons in your community work with you, and not with a third party.

4. NNELS is housed at, and by,
the BC Libraries Co-op.
Co-op builds and maintains technology
Looks after admin stuff and organizational support

5. 1. Understand the Copyright Act (or part of it, anyway)
This is the fun part where we read the copyright act out loud on a Tuesday morning. 
And the Copyright Act is the reason NNELS exists in the first place.
Accessibility is broader than the Copyright Act, but this will help set the stage.

6. Definition of a “perceptual disability”:
severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes,
the inability to hold or manipulate a book, or
an impairment relating to comprehension.
(Yes, please read this out loud. Thank you!)
Important thing: these are not prescriptive (e.g. prescriptive would be: dyslexia + stroke + blindness + brain injury + MS).
Instead, these are broad categories.
Estimate that 10% of Canadians land squarely in at least one of them.

7. Rule of Thumb
If we change the format – not content – can your patron read the book?
If “yes”: eligible for access to restricted collections such as NNELS.
(Please read this out loud. At the end say, “Okay, pop quiz…” and go to the next slide.)

8. What about ESL students? people learning to read?
Access to NNELS only if individuals also have print disabilities.
Not mutually-exclusive and not necessarily (but possibly!) related.
But many accessibility tools are very useful for people learning to read.
For example: most apps or programs that convert text to speech can highlight the text as they read.
(Please read, or go over…)
For ESL students: a “carrot” doesn’t make sense whether it’s written or spoken if someone doesn’t know the word.

9. Section 32
It is not an infringement of copyright for a person with a perceptual disability, for a person acting at the request of such a person or for a non-profit organization acting for the benefit of such a person to
(a) make a copy or sound recording of a literary, musical, artistic or dramatic work, other than a cinematographic work, in a format specially designed for persons with a perceptual disability;
(Please read this out loud. You can read it really quickly.)
Emphasizing that, once again, Copyright Act is not prescriptive: just about anyone can make copies of books in accessible formats: us, you, etc.

10. Section 32
Limitation
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the work or other subject-matter is commercially available, within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition commercially available in section 2, in a format specially designed to meet the needs of the person with a perceptual disability referred to in that subsection.
The one thing NNELS can’t do is produce books that are commercially available.
To comply with this limitation, NNELS does “copyright clearance” on every book that’s produced.
Also, when NNELS tells libraries we can’t produce a book, it’s not because we’re lazy, it’s because the Copyright Act says it’s not allowed.

11. Requesting Books
NNELS produces books on request from libraries & readers.
To record a book, all you need are a computer, microphone, headphones, and some free & open software. (But please check with NNELS before you start.)
(In case anyone asks: the request form on the NNELS website appears for any logged-in user on every page of search results.)

12. NNELS team cares that:
copyright-protected books are only for eligible readers: Gatekeeper Role 1 (checking eligibility)
eligible readers have access to protected books: Gatekeeper Role 2 (holding the doors wide open)
What it says. 

13. 2. Understand a bit of disability theory
Definitions on the following slides are based on:
Llewellyn, A. & Hogan, K. “The Use and Abuse of Models of Disability” Disability & Society, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2000, pp. 157 – 165.
And now for something completely different.
When Sabina was starting out, she contacted Jeff Preston, a disability scholar in Ontario, and asked if he could suggest any readings. He started her with this Llewellyn & Hogan paper and she learned a lot from it. The definitions on the next 4 slides are from that paper, but Sabina’s not a theorist and so her interpretations of the definitions might be a bunch of baloney.

14. 1. Medical Model
Disability is the result of physiological impairment due to injury or disease. And that’s all.
In a library:
She can’t read that book -- she has a brain injury.
Danger in this model: people cannot define their own disabilities & so are defined by them.
This is the idea that the barrier is an individual’s mind or body.

15. 2. Social Model
Individuals who are different by virtue of an impairment find that they are oppressed by societal views of normality.
In a library:
He has Parkinson’s and the library doesn’t have the book he wants in a format he can read.
The idea here is that the barrier here is the society.
This is the model most commonly argued as an alternative to the medical model, and is where a lot of accessibility legislation comes from: the more we build services and buildings for universal design, the more we build them for *everybody* at the outset.
Another example: someone’s just had knee surgery and can’t get up stairs. With the social model, the barrier to accessing the library isn’t about the knee surgery: it’s about the library not having a ramp or elevator.

16. 3. Systems Model
Individuals are part of an ecosystem, and other players in that ecosystem can drive or accelerate the course of development.
In a library:
An individual library staff member can drive or accelerate an individual’s interest in reading.
This model kind of builds on the social model by adding context.
Rather than having “society” and an “individual”, society becomes an ecosystem and is made up of a bunch of smaller parts, which include people like us.
No matter what our role, we are all part of a library’s ecosystem, and part of a community’s ecosystem.

17. 4. Transactional Model
Individuals are active synthesisers of information from the environment.
In a library:
A reader who had a bad childhood experience with a library might think all libraries (and library staff members!) are alike.
Also, people may become activated.
This model adds another dimension: time.
We learn from our experiences and create an understanding of the world based on our own lives.
And we are not just passive players upon whom barriers are imposed.

18. 3. Be Careful with Words Print disabled “community”: does it exist?
2. Some people prefer people-first language. Some don’t. Listen carefully.
People with dyslexia
vs.
Dyslexic person
No “clubhouse” where all PD people hang out.
Dyslexia very little in common with someone who’s blind.
Examples of person-first: man with dyslexia vs. dyslexic man
Idea is that the person comes first in word, and in principle.
It’s a good place to start because that principle is true.
Some people really dislike it, so it’s good to pay attention to how people use words themselves.
If you can mirror language, you can spend more time talking about ideas.

19. 4. Make Sure Library Publications are Accessible
Use styles and headings in OpenOffice or Microsoft Word.
When you save a document as a PDF:
Do “save as” PDF.
Don’t “print” to PDF.
Definitely don’t scan the document after it’s printed.
Simple, easy thing anyone, anywhere can do.
Applies to things like board minutes, putting them up on the library website.

20. Spot the difference: Left: “print” to PDF. Right: “save as” PDF.
Note that the person who created this document (Kim!) used headings in Word properly.

21. Spot the difference: Left: “print” to PDF. Right: “save as” PDF.
Note that the person who created this document (Kim!) used headings in Word properly.

22. WebAIM (webaim.org)
- This info comes from Webaim, and here’s a screenshot showing one of their PDF accessibility pages.
- Webaim also has info about website accessibility.
- There are instructions with really good screenshots (with circles and arrows) for every version of Word.

23. Clear print guidelines
Consider:
Contrast
Colour
Size
Font
Letter spacing
Margins
Paper finish
(Please read through the considerations, quickly – don’t need to expand on them. People can look up the document. It’s actually super-good.)
This document from CNIB is both handy and pretty.
Useful to use with staff training, or as a reference for when the library is publishing something.

24. 5. Accessibility features on library websites
Example is from a hotel website.
Note useful things like: Grab bars alongside toilet; Wheelchair Accessible public entrance
We’ve been told that putting this info up on a library website does two good things:
Gives people useful information that they can use to plan a visit.
Says “welcome,” and, “we’ve thought about this,” to people with disabilities.
Better to be partly accessible and clear about it, than to be fully accessible and not tell anyone.
We’ve also been told that the word “accessibility” is like a beacon for those looking for it on a website.

25. Also, small things:
Make library contact information easy to find on a website.
Don’t turn your signature into a pretty JPEG image.
Put only completely non-essential information into images.
(Please read this all out loud, with gusto.  )
For last piece: if a library has a poster for an event and they want to put poster on website, make sure the info on the poster is also in plain text somewhere on the webpage.

26. AppleVis: applevis.com
6. Grow Your Toolkit
AppleVis: applevis.com
Online forums for Apple users.
Apple early out of the gate with accessibility features so they have a large share of the market.
Lots of users, and lots of them go here to ask questions and share info.
Great place to learn about apps, and they have a good newsletter that anyone can subscribe to.

27. Growing that Toolkit Open Dyslexic is an open font.
Dyslexie is free for personal use, but institutions have to pay.
If installed on a computer, can convert text in Microsoft Word to this font. Can also set it as default font in a web browser like Firefox.
Doesn’t help people with extreme dyslexia, but it can make a big difference for some people.
There are other interventions, but this is an easy one to have handy.

28. Growing that Toolkit
Learning some accessibility features of devices and operating systems:
Search for operating system (e.g. Windows 10) + “accessibility features”
VoiceOver on iOS devices
General > Accessibility > Voiceover
Search YouTube for: “Shane Aguilera iPad”
(Please go through point by point)
Highly recommend that Shane Aguilera video. It’s 5 minutes long, total amateur production, and a 12-year-old teaches you the basics of VoiceOver so that you know what it’s for and how it works.
For a fun time, watch it with your staff.

29. Refreshable Braille Display
Current Refreshable Braille Displays are very expensive.
Coming soon to CNIB: Orbit Reader (shown here) for about $500 (way cheaper).
Braille cells on the bottom are little dots of plastic that pop up and down.
Can read and write whole books with these machines. Works with e-text, EPUB, and lots of PDF.
Connect to computers with cables or wirelessly over Bluetooth.
This machine displayed may be a game-changer for many people: it’s $500 compared to thousands of $.
This inexpensive model not available, yet.

30. Growing that Toolkit
Writing a note in Braille can be as simple as having:
A slate and stylus (pictured);
A Braille guide;
Remembering to braille backwards & in reverse.
These tools are all you need to write a title, name, or a phone number.
Don’t need to be a braille professional to write a short note.
Anyone can do an online image search for “braille guide” to show you where to punch the dots.
(I got my slate & stylus online for $6.95. Cheap fun times.)

31. 7.1. Guide Dog Etiquette Harness means dog is working.
Never offer food to a working dog.
If you want to pet the dog, ask the owner first.
Don’t be offended if they say no.
Don’t try to excite a guide dog.
Wondering if someone needs help? Always okay to ask. Good working principle for life, actually.
If you’re walking your dog, avoid walking near guide dogs.
Some people know all this, but some people don’t.
At one workshop, someone said, “You mean I shouldn’t pet a guide dog?” so these are all things we learn.

32. 7.2. Blind Person Etiquette
It’s okay to say “see you later.”
Audiobooks count as reading.
Blind doesn’t mean deaf: speak with your regular volume and speed.
“Over there” is a lousy direction. The more specific the better.
“Passing on your left,” is a nice thing to say when passing someone on a sidewalk.
Identify yourself before speaking, when coming into a room.
Tell people if you’re leaving.
If leading, let person hold your arm, above the elbow.
Re: the “Passing on your left” thing – apparently, this is less ”creepy” than going around someone without saying and I don’t want anyone to ever think I’m “creepy”.
Also on leading: let people know when there are steps up or down. Even though they’re in physical contact with your body, they can’t necessarily tell if you’ve stepped up or down.

33. 8. Build Community; Follow Conversations
“Nothing about us without us!”
Curiosity is a thousand times more important than knowledge.
Anyone can organize a technology meet-up, with coffee & tea afterward. Example: Getting Together with Technology (GTT) program, Canadian Council of the Blind.
Watch for “#a11y” — a c c e s s i b i l i t y
a y
GTT program:
usually an hour or two
Sometimes meet in libraries
Sometimes guest speaker
Mostly people helping each other with devices, including advice on cell phone plans.
Really cheap professional development for any library staff who happen to be there.
The #a11y thing:
Doubles as “ally”
11 letters between a and y and it’s a lot shorter, so handy for Twitter where you only get 140 characters.

34. 9. Create a Library Accessibility Contact
PATAQ: “Person into Answering Technology & Accessibility Questions”
Takes training. Make sure accessibility is part of library training manual.
Follows conversations. Asks questions. Keeps social model lenses on.
Not automatically a staff member who has a disability: requires consent.
Doesn’t excuse everyone else: “oh, go ask her,” is not cool.
(Please read through these out loud – once again, con gusto.)

35. All Staff Ought to Know the Basics and Ask the Questions
how to create access to the content,
that tools and formats exist,
where to go with questions.
“All Staff” = even those who work one Saturday a month should know the basics.

36. Be on the lookout for people who know more than you do. Ask:
before speaking or acting on behalf of others.
when in doubt about technology, approach, or history…
resource organizations; they abound and they like to share information.
It’s okay to say:
“I’m not sure. I’ll find out. What’s the best way to reach you?”
“I remember a thing from a presentation maybe related to this… help?”
(Again, please go through these things, and lemme know if you have questions)
“Be on the lookout…” = Disability Association of BC. Actually, they’re a great organization and every library should join, just for their newsletter and to hear about what people with disabilities in BC are talking about.

37. 10. Make sure everyone on staff knows how to set up a NNELS account.
Routes to NNELS include:
Direct: individual has an account.
Friend, family member, or helper: download on behalf of reader.
Library staff: download on behalf of reader.
Again, what it says. 

38. Connector Benefits:
We don’t collect any personal information: no names, addresses, phone numbers, fines... Or downloaded titles.
Real-time authentication: NNELS checks every login.
People with blocks on cards (e.g. expired card or maximum fines) told to contact the library.
Patron belongs to the library, not to NNELS.
Most libraries in BC have a connector: it’s the software that checks the ILS to verify that someone is eligible to access the copyright-protected content.
Any connector questions? You have Kris in the room! It’s his favourite thing.

39. Four Steps: Library confirms patron eligibility.
Library sets correct patron type in the ILS.
Patron visits nnels.ca and clicks on “Sign Up”, searches for their home library, and enters barcode & PIN.
Patron accepts NNELS Terms of Use and then has full access to the catalogue.

40. Connector Tips:
In case of login problems, check for blocks (e.g. max fines).
NNELS staff can’t see or reset PIN numbers.
Test with your own card!

41. 11. BONUS! Little Known Facts.
1. Burning a disc (NNELS website > Tutorials) is really easy.
No limit to the number of CDs you can burn.
2. Transferring books via USB is even easier.
3. NNELS audiobooks will work with the smallest, cheapest MP3 players. Don’t need an expensive player for all readers.
Re #2: Newer DAISY players can handle books on USB keys and SD cards.

42. Free Computer Programs
Windows: AMIS (from daisy.org)
Mac: Emerson & Olearia
Linux: DAISY Player
Don’t necessarily need a complex, expensive DAISY player to listen to DAISY books.

43. Important Note on OverDrive
An burn disc if patron can’t:
use a computer.
use the app (e.g. it’s not accessible with VoiceOver).
Then destroy the disc.
Not for multiple use.
(Darcie, you know this part, and always urge caution: this is only for readers with print disabilities with no other means to access OverDrive books.)

44. There is always more content.
12. ANOTHER BONUS!
There is always more content.
Gutenberg.org public domain e-text Librivox.org public domain audiobooks
These are public domain according to US definition: death of an author + 70 years.
In Canada, public domain is death of an author + 50 years.
Federal copyright review coming up and they’ll probably want to change it to death of an author + infinity. Don’t let them take away our 50!

45. Learn to Use Voice Dream.
13. FINAL BONUS!
Learn to Use Voice Dream.
This is an app for iOS & Android devices (not for desktop computers).
Great example of a tool that has wide variety of literacy applications.
Works with just about every format.
$20.99 (at this time), but one-time fee.
Most useful app for using NNELS on iOS or Android devices.
(Go over the points.)
Screenshots from an iPad to show you how to link to NNELS, and basics of how this app works… coming up.

46. Bottom row, second from the left. Hi Voice Dream!

47. Look! It is launching into outer space.

48. So. First adding NNELS as a content source.
Tap on the plus sign.
Then on “More”.

49. Scroll to the bottom.
Select “Add Web Site”.

50. There’s NNELS!
Also note our friends Gutenberg and Librivox.
Tap on NNELS and then tap on “Save”.

51. Exit.

52. Back on the home screen, tap on the plus sign and NNELS will now be a default content source.

53. Tapping on that opens the NNELS website.

54. I search for this book about Glenn Gould, and then log in, and then download the book.

55. Once the book’s downloaded, it shows up on my home screen.

56. Here’s the book opened.
I can see the full text because this book happens to be a synthetic, or computer narration, so the entire text of the book is there.
Open are the audio settings. Can change speech rate, language, voices.
Can use “Pronunciation Dictionary” to change pronunciation of “Metis” from “mettiss” to “maytee”.

57. Can also change visual settings, including font and spacing, the margins, colours, and the number of visible lines.
Pac-Man mode makes the words disappear as they’re read out loud.
Great example of an app that could work really well for learning English, or learning to read. All those e-text books from Gutenberg… Treasure Island!

58. Changed the font and layout to Dyslexie font (built-in) and changed to dark background.

59. Another use for Voice Dream: easy clipping from websites & databases.

60. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

61. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

62. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

63. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

64. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

65. Here’s a webpage opened on an iPad, in Safari.

66. 12. YOU matter.
“Relax! We know about blindness; you know about libraries. Let's both enjoy learning something new.”
- Mary Ellen Gabias, President
Canadian Federation of the Blind
(more at
More important than anything is understanding the extent to which Darcie Smith benefits the universe just by existing in it.

67. Thank you! Kim Johnson kimberly.johnson@gov.ab.ca Sabina Iseli-Otto
More important than anything is understanding the extent to which Darcie Smith benefits the universe just by existing in it.