News News Archive Maximising access for users with disabilities
| Maximising access for users with disabilities |
| Tuesday, 01 November 2005 | |
|
Greater disability awareness training and a disability policy template
were some of the recommendations that resulted from an Exchange of
Experience day hosted by the Disabled and Special Needs working group
at SOAS in June this year. The event was well attended with
participants from a wide range of institutions across the Consortium.
During the day groups discussed existing policies within their
institutions and ways of improving access to library and information
services for staff and students with disabilities within the Consortium.
Participants found that information on access arrangements and support
for disabled users was provided in a variety of ways across the
Consortium. Whilst some institutions provided this information to all
library visitors others made contact with users who had indicated a
need for specific assistance on the library membership form. Given the
diversity of practices it was felt that a leaflet explaining access
arrangements for disabled users across the Consortium would be useful. The lack of resources for sight impaired users was also identified as a concern and there was a consensus that more should be done to make course convenors aware of the problem. Greater collaboration with the RNIB was suggested as a means to increase the range of materials available and promoting the use of XML documents, that can easily be converted into an accessible format. Cost effective methods such as colour coding on walls, signs and floors to guide users to different areas of the library and ensuring that signage is always on suitable backgrounds were also discussed. The session proved effective in identifying the range of issues that could be address to maximise access for disabled users and the extensive work that is being done in this area within the Consortium. For further information on the findings of the Exchange of Experience seminar or on the work of the Disabled and Special Needs working group please contact Eileen Nazha. |
