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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Grand Valley State University

2022

Disability

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Accessibility And Public Services - Part 2: When Being User Focused Includes All Users, Annie Bélanger Jul 2022

Accessibility And Public Services - Part 2: When Being User Focused Includes All Users, Annie Bélanger

Scholarly Papers and Articles

Libraries serve an important role in accessing information, delivering services, and fostering a sense of community. Libraries must ask whether they are serving all of their community members equitably. People with disabilities need to be able to access the libraries fully. This article first provides an overview of approaches for moving beyond compliance in the development and delivery of services to people with disabilities. It explores barriers to accessing services for people with disabilities and ways to overcome them. Lastly, it outlines daily interaction tips in providing service to people with disabilities.


Accessibility And Public Services - Part 1: The Case For Access, Annie Bélanger Apr 2022

Accessibility And Public Services - Part 1: The Case For Access, Annie Bélanger

Scholarly Papers and Articles

Libraries serve an important role in accessing information, delivering services, and fostering a sense of community. Libraries must ask whether they are serving all of their community members equitably. People with disabilities need to be able to access the libraries fully. This article first provides an overview of accessibility-related legislative history in the US, Canada and Ontario, and Australia to contextualize its impact on services to people with disabilities. The medical and social models of disability are explored. Lastly an overview of the history of libraries and accessibility cements the moral, ethical, and legal reasons to serve people with disabilities.