Disability Awareness Training for Library Staff Summary
Margarete Wiedemann, North Vancouver City Public Library
- last Canadian census: 1 in 7 Canadians live with a disability
- public libraries are generally accessible to a degree
- survey findings: what is helpful: online catalogue, home delivery, plain language,
- barriers: physical envionrment, time on computer, standing in line, crowded seating, cognitive demands, asking for help and feeling like taking too much time, confusing signage, patronize/impatient/insensitive staff
- solutions to barriers example: baskets with wheels, walkers for in-library use
- some of the most difficult barriers with disabilities is people’s attitudes: need to think about what you say and write; person first language
- Social-Ecological Model of Disability: disability is a difference, arises from interactions between individual and society, and remedy is a change in interactions and context
- paradigm shift to full citizens with human rights, integrated, included, partipants.
- communication tips: speak directly and clearly, make eye contact at eye level, show respect and patience, show and tell or walk and talk, ask for help if you are having difficulty understanding
- universal design: recognize that there is a large diversity, and changes that benefit all users; fix the environment (not the individual)
- universal design will cover 80+% of users, and cover the rest using inclusive design and individual accommodations
- library staff can make a difference
- just make the connetiion and offer what you have
- an inclusive library begins with you
survey results: AIG section of the BCLA website
NNELS
- print disability: anyone that cannot read a book in “traditional” print format is considered print disabled
- tour of the website
- notes on formats: DAISY have MP3 inside of them, common format, but not one everyone is familiar with
- resources: nnels.ca/libraries
- possible engagement: books for student that are non-curriculum material
- collections highlight awards and other collections including digitized InterLINK reels of BC audiobooks, Truth and Reconciliation (which is public domain and downloadable by anyone)
Discussions
- devices: bone induction earphones, raspberry pi, slate and stylus, mp3 audio
- copyright act allows format shifting for print disabled patrons regardless of copyright of the original version
Mike Edwards – Dyslexic Reader
- made several attempts at universities
- fear of feeling stupid, etc.
- post secondary requires psychological examination: something that you had to prove, that you’re disabled
- what works: have CNIB worker who keeps feeding books on CD
- accommodations: colour codes text, TextAloud
- opportunity for outreach: prisons, large percentage of dyslexics
Learning (Lib)Tech 