LTA 203 Handout #2

Americans With Disabilities Act

Law requires providing equal access to the library’s building and services for persons with disabilities. The Americans with disabilities act is a Civil Rights law to end discrimination in private and public services, employment, communication, and transportation.

Libraries are required to provide services to the disabled that have been adapted to ensure them access to the library building and resources. These may include:

• Longer loan periods
• Outreach services
• Email services
• Waiving fines
• Sign Language Interpreters at programs
• Remote access to the card catalog
• Accommodation to assist patrons in attending library sponsored programs

The Americans with Disabilities act requires libraries to remove barriers that restrict patron access to the building. This includes:

• accessible parking
• restrooms
• drinking fountains
• automatic doors
• public telephones
• signage

The ADA also requires that libraries offer alternative services for reference services. These may include:

• audio recordings
• Braille books
• TTY communication
• Electronic medium

The library must make materials available to people with disabilities. There should be a variety of formats and assistive technologies. These could include:

• Magnifying glasses
• Vtek machines
• Assistive devices to assist patrons with physical disabilities

Collections must include materials that are accurate and current on issues relevant to people with disabilities, their families and other interested patrons. These may include:

• Medical and health issues
• Employment
• Legal

Libraries must provide reasonable accommodations for employees who have disabilities.

Libraries must provide training opportunities for all library staff in an effort to make them aware of issues affecting individuals with disabilities.