Clearinghouse - Accessibility Resources

Clearinghouse of Professional Information

Accessibility Resources

Accessibility is very much in the news these days as the province of Ontario begins to roll out the standards associated with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. There are many kinds of disabilities and they can be visible, hidden, permanent or temporary. Disabilities can affect vision, hearing, speech and mind. The resources on this page have been gathered to help library staff to sort out the varying needs of the disabled and how best to assist, and then to understand the legislation currently in place. In other sections of the Clearinghouse, there is further information on Adaptive technology and Relevant Legislation.

Topics include:

Canadian Library Association position |Library and Archives Canada (LAC) resources |Ontario issues and legislation |Other Sources |
Trillium Sample Policy

	indicates an item written by SOLS staff		indicates an item written by OLS-North staff
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Trillium Public Library. Accessible Customer Service Policy (.doc)

In Spring 2008, SOLS presented a workshop on the new Customer Service Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The workshop was presented by Gerald Parker of Beyond Ability. SOLS developed this sample policy based on the information provided at this workshop.

Information from the Government of Ontario

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became law on June 13, 2005. The goal of the AODA is to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises by January 1, 2025. As required by the AODA, a Standards Development Committee (SDC) was appointed to develop the proposed Accessible Built Environment (ABE) Standard. On July 14th, the SDC released the Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard.

There is a main point of access for all documentation and information pertaining to this standard as well as to another document which provides visual illustrations of each technical requirement. It is important to know that there are specific references to libraries in the requirements.

There is a two page Table of Contents to the full 276 page document of technical requirements that include specific requirements for libraries. Libraries are covered in Section 9.6 of that document with requirements for clearances, shelving heights, study carrels, security gates, aisles and aisle configurations, self-service areas, book drops, lighting, acoustics, and lighting. Note that you can certainly read the entire summary document, but if you choose only the read the library section, you will have to refer to a few other sections such as Clause 3.2, Doors and Doorways, Clause 4.1 on Accessible Interior Routes, Clause 5.1, Accessible Exterior Route; Clause 6.1, Signage and Clause 9.14, Service Counters.
Everyone in Ontario can review the proposed standard and submit comments. The committee will use the feedback received to shape the final proposed standard before submitting it to the government to consider for adoption as a law. Consultations are also being conducted across the province. Information on how to provide feedback is posted on the main access page. The deadline for commenting on the proposed standard is Friday, October 16, 2009.

Main links from AccessON website

AccessON (Ministry of Community and Social Services) This is an important website for those working and living in Ontario.

Accessibility report on the customer service standard (AODA) A checklist. These are the questions for the accessibility report on the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service. Each question includes a reference to the corresponding section of the standard.
Compliance Manual: Accessibility Standards for Customer Standards (AODA) This Manual is full of practical ideas and tips about how your organization may go about meeting the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 (referred to throughout the rest of this document as “the standard” or “the customer service standard”). The Manual includes requirements checklists and steps to consider, with suggestions on ways you might comply with the standard.
Serve-Ability: Transforming Ontario’s Customer Service / Service-ABILITÉ : Renouvellement des services à la clientèle de l’Ontario. This online course will help you better serve customers with disabilities. It will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Decision makers completing the course should set aside about 20 minutes. / Ce cours en ligne vous aidera à mieux servir les clientes et clients handicapés. Il vous faudra environ 45 minutes pour le terminer, et les décideurs devraient prévoir 20 minutes environ.

What You Have to do to Comply: Guide to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07

(AODA) It explains the formal meaning of the regulation which comes into effect on January 1, 2010 and provides some examples to help describe the interpretation.

Accessibility Tools for Municipalities (Ministry of Municipal Affairs) This page contains information that can help municipalities improve accessibility for people with diverse abilities and needs. Includes a publication called Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities: A Handbook and Self Assessment Tool.
Ontario's Municipal Accessibility Toolkit Website A website to help the municipal sector meet its responsibilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Information from Library and Archives Canada (LAC)

The Accessible Canadian Library II: A Resource Tool for Libraries Serving Persons with Disabilities Wendy Scott of the then National Library of Canada wrote a publication in 1996 which contains a checklist for making the library accessible. (in PDF format)
Council on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians. Conseil sur l'accès à l'information pour les Canadiens et Canadiennes incapables de lire les imprimés LAC continues the work of the Council, the purpose of which is to ensure that access to information is a reality for all Canadians. The Council’s website maintains an extensive list of national and international resources for users and producers of multiple formats, and for organizations that provide services to people with print disabilities.
Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA) The mandate of IELA is to create the conditions for sustainable and equitable library access for Canadians with print disabilities. LAC is developing a strategy for implementing activities and services to meet the long-term library and information access needs of Canadians with print disabilities.

Information from the Canadian Library Association (CLA)

Canadian Guidelines on Library and Information Services for People with Disabilities In 1993, a National Forum was held at the Canadian Library Association (CLA) Conference to discuss the need for developing library guidelines for serving persons with disabilities. It became evident that libraries needed guidelines by which to measure services currently being provided and by which to establish new services. This 1997 publication is the result of that CLA Task Force.
Opening the Book: A Strategy for a National Network for Equitable Library Service for Canadians with Print Disabilities. Report of CLA’s Working Group to Define a National Network for Equitable Library Service, dated 2005. The report offers a concrete, affordable and effective approach to addressing the needs of persons with print disabilities.

Other sources of information

Alliance for Technology Access: This is a California-based organization focused on technology for people with disabilities. Includes information and support services for both children and adults with disabilities.
Disability Awareness Kit: A Training Resource for Public Library Customer Service Staff. Web-based training from the State Library of Victoria, Australia.

disABILITY Information and Resources

Disabililty Resources Monthly (DRM): Guide to Disabilities Resources on the Internet . Web site of the Disability Resources, inc. which is an American non-profit organization established to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work and play independently. Includes how-to manuals, discussion lists, guidelines, etc.
Libraries and Autism: We're Connected Two New Jersey libraries produced a customer service training video to help library staff serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively. Project now includes a website to share the information and tools that were created.
Library Access. This document is published jointly in 2003 by the Equality Authority and Library Council of Dublin, Ireland. The handbook provides examples of best practice in addressing the issue of library accessibility. Outlines the process for improving accessibility including consultation; policy formation and planning; disability audits; inclusive design; training; marketing, and quality control. (in PDF format)
Library Accessibility – What You Need to Know A series of fifteen tip sheets developed by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) of the American Library Association to help libraries understand and manage access issues including patrons who have cognitive, mental or emotional illnesses; patrons with learning and/or developmental disabilities, and patrons with physical disabilities. Each tip sheet addresses a specific concern.
Policy and Guidelines on Disability and the Duty to Accommodate These Guidelines, approved in 2000, contain the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s policy position on disability, accommodation, and undue hardship, as well as practical guidance on compliance with the Ontario Human Rights. (in PDF format)
Services for People with Disabilities: Guide to Government of Canada Services for People with Disabilities and their Families. There is both an online version with various sections on employment, housing, transportation, skills, health, etc and a pdf version. The guide is developed through Service Canada.
Think Accessible Before You Buy. Questions to ask to ensure that the electronic resources your library plans to purchase are accessible. Another toolkit developed by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) of the American Library Association.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). WAI is supported in part by: the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the European Commission’s Information Society Technologies Programme. The group is actively working to make the Web more accessible through technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. Includes WAI's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Essential Components of Web Accessibility. WCAG has recommendations for making Web content more accessible for everyone, but particularly those with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, and photosensitivity.