LibGuides: Library Service to Persons with Disabilities: Home

ALA's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) provides resources to library and information workers who serve traditionally underrepresented groups. These groups include people with disabilities, among others.

Outreach Resources for Services to People with Disabilities
current list of resources

ALA's Association of Specialized Government and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASGCLA) offers resources on assistive/adaptive technologies.

Assistive Technology: What you need to know (ASGLA)
Assistive (also called adaptive) technologies are electronic solutions that enable people with disabilities to live independently. Blind persons can hear computer-screen text, and people with visual impairments can enlarge text, enabling independent reading. People who are unable to manipulate a mouse can enter data, and those who cannot physically hear a computer prompt can view prompts. There is also computer software that helps persons with learning differences see and hear the information displayed on the screen.

ALA Groups Working on Accessibility Issues

LITA Accessibility Interest Group
This interest group is intended as a resource and discussion forum about library disability service issues such as web accessibility, assistive technology, reference and instruction for users with disabilities, and any other disability issues of interest to participants.
ACRL Universal Accessibility Interest Group
The Universal Accessibility Interest group offers librarians, support staff, students, and other advocates networking and collaboration opportunities, information sharing and programming to promote accessibility in academic libraries, including web accessibility, assistive technology, reference and instruction for users with disabilities and captioning processes.
ASGCLA Disability Assembly
Established to advance ALA's continuing commitment to diversity and to accessibility of library and information services for all, including people with physical, sensory or mental disabilities, as reflected in the ALA policy on library services to people with disabilities (54.3.2); to facilitate communication among ALA units

Background Information

Fact Sheet
Prepared 2001 by the ASCLA ADA Assembly

ALA Policies

Library Services for People with Disabilities
Broad-based policy statement covering library services, facilities, assistive technology, employment, and several ALA services.

Online Resources

IFLA Library Services to People with Special Needs
An international forum for the discussion of ideas, sharing of experiences and development of tools designed to promote and improve the effectiveness of library and information services to special needs groups, and the promotion of national and international cooperation at all levels.
U.S. Department of Labor - Disability Resources
Federal website that contains disability-related resources on programs, services, laws and regulations to help people with disabilities lead full, independent lives. With just a few clicks, visitors can find critical information on a variety of topics, including benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, employment, housing, health, technology and transportation.

Books

Assistive Technologies in the Library by Barbara T. Mates; William R. Reed IV (Contribution by)
ISBN: 9780838910702
Publication Date: 2010-12-01
There are plenty of products out there for making information accessible to all users, but how can administrators and managers determine which are the most practical and economical for their particular library?
Crash Course in Library Services to People with Disabilities by Ann Roberts; Richard J. Smith
ISBN: 9781591587675
Publication Date: 2010-03-23
This book helps libraries identify and implement new ways to serve their physically or mentally disabled patients.
Planning for Library Services to People with Disabilities by Rhea Joyce Rubin
ISBN: 9780838981689
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Every public library must provide equal services to any person requesting them, regardless of disability. Rubin has created a planning process to ensure that libraries consider all of the issues necessary to comply with the law.
Creating Inclusive Library Environments by Michelle Kowalsky; John Woodruff
ISBN: 9780838914854
Publication Date: 2016-11-01
A guide to help librarians that are continually faced with challenges of how to best meet the needs of patrons with disabilities, whether those patrons have physical or intellectual disabilities, differing learning styles, or even temporary problems which impact their access and may change over time.

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