Disability Accommodations for the Public

Mary Minow, J.D., A.M.L.S.

March 20, 2003

Federal Laws and Regulations

United States. Department of Justice. A Guide to Disability Rights Laws 2001.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm See also http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/

Building Standards - For Updates, FAQs etc. see The Access Board

Privately funded libraries must use ADAAG standard

Publicly funded libraries may choose either ADAAG or UFAS standards (with some exceptions)

ADA ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES (ADAAG)

28 C.F.R. Part 36, Appendix A. (see especially #8 on Libraries, reproduced below:)

8. LIBRARIES. [Note: See entire document to view cross-references]

8.1 General. In addition to the requirements of 4.1 to 4.35, the design of all public areas of a library shall comply with 8, including reading and study areas, stacks, reference rooms, reserve areas, and special facilities or collections.

8.2 Reading and Study Areas. At least 5 percent or a minimum of one of each element of fixed seating, tables, or study carrels shall comply with 4.2 and 4.32. Clearances between fixed accessible tables and between study carrels shall comply with 4.3.

8.3 Check-Out Areas. At least one lane at each check-out area shall comply with 7.2(1). Any traffic control or book security gates or turnstiles shall comply with 4.13.

8.4 Card Catalogs and Magazine Displays. Minimum clear aisle space at card catalogs and magazine displays shall comply with Fig. 55. Maximum reach height shall comply with 4.2, with a height of 48 in (1220 mm) preferred irrespective of approach allowed.

8.5 Stacks. Minimum clear aisle width between stacks shall comply with 4.3, with a minimum clear aisle width of 42 in (1065 mm) preferred where possible. Shelf height in stack areas is unrestricted (see Fig. 56).

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) 28 C.F.R. Part 35

http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm#8

(see especially #8 on Libraries, reproduced below:)

8. LIBRARIES.

8.1 GENERAL. In addition to the requirements of 4.1 to 4.33, the design of all public areas of a library shall comply with 8, including reading and study areas, stacks, reference rooms, reserve areas, and special facilities or collections. As provided, elements such as public toilet rooms, telephones, and parking shall be accessible.

8.2 READING AND STUDY AREAS. At least 5 percent or a minimum of one of each element of fixed seating, tables, or study carrels shall comply with 4.2 and 4.32. Clearances between fixed accessible tables and study carrels shall comply with 4.3.

8.3 CHECK-OUT AREAS. At least one lane at each check-out area shall comply with 4.32. Any traffic control or book security gates or turnstiles shall comply with 4.13.

8.4 CARD CATALOGS. Minimum clear aisle space at card catalogs, magazine displays, or reference stacks shall comply with Fig. 55. Maximum reach height shall comply with 4.2, with a height of 48 in (1370 mm) preferred, irrespective of reach allowed.

8.5 STACKS. Minimum clear aisle width between stacks shall comply with 4.3, with a minimum clear aisle width of 42 in (1065 mm) preferred where possible. Shelf height in stack areas is unrestricted (see Fig. 56).

Common Building Errors

United States. Department of Justice. Common ADA Errors and Omissions in New Construction and Alterations (1997) http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/errors.pdf

California

California. Attorney General. Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Chapter 4 - Access)

http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/adach4.htm

cites Cal. Civ. Code, §§ 54, 54.1 and Gov. Code, § 4450

Notes: "14. Educational and Library Facilities. In educational facilities, laboratory rooms must provide a certain number of work stations usable by physically disabled students, and study carrels and teaching facility cubicles must be accessible. General use areas in libraries must be accessible, and open book stacks must allow wheelchair access to the aisle. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 2, § 3103A (d), et seq..) "

California. State Architect. Universal Design

http://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov/UniversalDesign/default.htm

includes link to FAQ, Access Manual, State Laws

California Community Colleges. Chancellor's Office. Distance Education: Access Guidelines for Students with Disabilities (1999) http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/dlguidelines/final%20dl%20guidelines.htm

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: 
Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards 

http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm

Section 508 in Action

Candace Egan, California State University, Fresno and Adra Hallford, California State University,

San Marcos. Web Accessibility Making the Right a Reality: Two CSU Campuses Respond to Section 508 - includes extensive web checking tools

http://www.csusm.edu/accessibility/cats/ CATS_web_Accessibility.ppt

Paul T. Jaeger. Section 508 Goes to the Library: Complying with Federal Legal Standards to Produce Accessible Electronic and Information Technology in Libraries (2002) http://www.rit.edu/~easi/itd/itdv08n2/jaeger.html

*Library Hi Tech February 1, 2002 Issue on electronic resources and accessibility - has 28 articles ranging from web based databases to web design to screen readers. Available through Ebscohost

Janna Siegel Robertson and James Wallace Harris. Making Online Information Accessible to Students with Disabilities, Part II (Jan/Feb 2003) http://ts.mivu.org/default.asp?show=article&id=1008

Aaron P. Silberman, Rogers Joseph O'Donnell and Philips. Disabled Access and the Internet: Legal Issues

Presented for the Bar Association of San Francisco Barristers High Tech Law Committee (August 2002)

http://www.rjop.com/publish47.htm

University of Washington. DO-IT. Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries - gives librarians presentation materials complete with success stories on making library resources accessible to people with disabilities http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/index.html

Washington Technology Webcast: Panelists Answer Questions About Section 508 (September 10, 2001) http://www.washingtontechnology.com/webcast/091001wt.html

Libraries

Cases

Settlement agreement between The United States of America and Springfield-Greene County Library District, Springfield, Missouri. Department of Justice complaint number 204-43-141 (July 19, 2000)

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/sprlibmo.htm

Shows detailed agreement by library to make physical changes to existing and altered areas such as

a circulation desk at least 36 inches in length with a maximum height of 36 inches, height of the new book drop shall not exceed 54 inches if a side approach method is provided or 48 inches if only a front approach is provided etc.

For more cases, see links on powerpoint slides. Also see http://www.librarylaw.com and look for Disabilities

Resources

American Library Association. Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.

Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy (2001)

http://www.ala.org/ascla/access_policy.html

American Library Association. Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.

Guidelines for Library and Information Services for the American Deaf Community (2002)

http://www.ala.org/ascla/lssps/guidelinesweb.html

Jane Berliss-Vincent. Infopeople Project. Accessible Electronic Services for People with Disabilities (January - March 2001). Gives examples of the adaptive technology available, and explores access issues in libraries. http://infopeople.org/training/past/2001/accessibility/

Disability Resources Monthly. Librarians' Connections. http://www.disabilityresources.org/DRMlibs-ass-doe.html

Erica B. Lilly and Connie Van Fleet. Measuring the Accessibility of Public Library Home Pages. Reference & User Services Quarterly, (Winter 2000) (available through Infotrac)

Barbara T. Mates. Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All

http://www.ala.org/editions/samplers/mates/

Mary Minow. Does Your Library's Web Page Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act? Reprinted from California Libraries (April 1999) http://www.librarylaw.com/ADAwebpage.html

Mary Minow and Tomas Lipinski. The Library's Legal Answer Book. (ALA: 2003)

Has chapter on digital library resources and patrons with disabilities

http://www.alastore.ala.org/SiteSolution.taf?_sn=catalog2&_pn=product_detail&_op=1192

Jamie Osborne and Julia Petchey. Infopeople Project. Designing Accessible Websites (Spring 2002) Practical tips on how to applying general principles of accessible websites with hands-on exercises. http://infopeople.org/training/past/2002/website_access/

Michael G. Paciello, Michael G. Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities. (CMP Bks. 2000)

Rhea Joyce Rubin. Planning for Library Services to People with Disabilities. ASCLA Changing Horizons, No. 5 (ALA: 2001). Ten-step planning process to help libraries comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).