This research is based on the Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy, which was approved by the American Library Association in 2001. The policy identified focus areas for libraries including library services, facilities, collections, and assistive technology. Library websites frequently convey this information to users. Our study…

Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that programs and services be accessible to people with disabilities. While schools of library and information science (SLIS*) and university libraries should model accessible Web sites, this may not be the case. This article examines previous studies about the Web accessibility of…

An increasing number of library patrons are hard of hearing. The U.S. Bureau of Census projected that 35 million North Americans would suffer from hearing loss by the year 2005 based on the age-population projections. These individuals would have at one time been labeled as deaf due to the lack of assistive hearing technology such as hearing aids…

Analyzes results from a study of academic libraries in the Southeastern United States and their compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act. A total of 136 community college, college, university, and special academic libraries, in both the private and public sector, completed the survey (24.68% response rate). Statements at the end of the…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) Kit presents the results of a survey on issues and concerns associated with planning for library services for persons with disabilities. The survey was sent to 119 U.S. and Canadian Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and returned by 74. The report is based on the responses of libraries which…

Legal issues have increasingly come to the forefront in academic libraries in recent years. Most of these issues involve The Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 (1973) or Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), complaints related to discriminatory practices with regard to accommodations or assistive technologies. This article provides a brief synopsis…

Twelve articles describe new library buildings in Illinois and address various aspects of library construction. Highlights include public, special, academic, and school libraries; library design and historic preservation; Carnegie libraries; handicapped accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act; construction considerations; and…

Discusses the need for providing adequate bibliographic instruction in academic libraries to deaf and hearing-impaired students. Highlights include a legislative background; library staff training; instruction for groups, individuals, and faculty; written library materials; and equipment. A student guide to the NTID (National Technical Institute…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) directs public and private libraries--academic, public, school, and special--to provide services to people with disabilities that are equal to services provided to citizens without disabilities. Six chapters in this book provide information to help library administrators and staff to fully understand the…

Guidance for libraries in implementing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is provided in question and answer format. Topics covered include library services and materials, employment issues, and parking requirements. (LAE)

Provides suggestions for academic libraries to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Topics addressed are planning, including patron surveys; physical access to buildings; signage; library security systems; furniture; library services; staff development; telephone access; library acquisitions; and equipment and software. A sidebar lists…

This flyer and kit were developed by the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to examples job descriptions used by academic and research libraries and present examples from various libraries. Job descriptions serve a variety of purposes in personnel management. In addition, current and…

Discusses some approaches to meeting the needs of disabled students in academic libraries in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Highlights include types of disabilities, including visual, mobility, and hearing impairments; obstacles found in libraries, including poor communication; and possible remedies. (LRW)

Examines literature for guiding libraries to develop services that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Presents a case of the University of Alabama Libraries' establishment of a technologies lab to serve the needs of the blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled students; examines problems and efforts to increase staff…

A survey of 97 Ohio college and university libraries provided data on types of accommodations made in Title II (public), Title III (private), and Title IV (communication services and auxiliary aids) with respect to: access; auxiliary aids and services; restroom facilities; signage; and staff and policy making. Investigated the effects of…