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Library and Research

Books: Accessible Libraries


New Sign Accessible Libraries on Campus: A Practical Guide for the Creation of Disability-Friendly Libraries

Tom McNulty, editored. (1999) Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries. A wide-ranging examination of the issues involved, along with specific guidance on the means, for the creation of accessible libraries beginning with the ADA guidelines governing the physical accessibility of libraries and other educational buildings, as well as a discussion of ADA-compliant signage and other wayfinding aids for the library user. Once inside the library, the user may face other barriers in a traditional library setting. The myriad alternatives to traditional print are presented, including Braille, large print, and recorded and electronic texts. A section on technology offers guidance in the selection of specialized "adaptive" hardware and software, such as text-to-speech output for use by individuals with print-prohibitive disabilities; TTY/TDD for indiviuals who cannot hear or who have various degrees of hearing loss; and voice input which avoids keyboarding to overcome repetitive stress injuries. Concrete advice is presented on troubleshooting and other aspects of maintaining a program of adaptive technology in the academic library. For web accessiblity, there is a discussion of "Bobby", an online source which can be used to provide a diagnosis of any web site. Finally, there is an overview of how and why training is essential for both librarians and support staff. Other programs and projects, plus a Resources Directory are included in an Appendix. Click on this link for a critical note on this book:

For more on the topic of Libraries:

Libraries for People with Disabilities / Guides

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