Ontario Public Libraries, Accessibility, and Justice: A Capability Approach

Hill, Heather

doi:10.29173/cais568

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Library users interviewed by Copeland (2011) noted a variety of accessibility challenges, including entrance steps with no ramp, heavy doors, narrow stacks, and the inaccessibility of washrooms. Hill's (2011) research confirmed some of the challenges noted by Copeland, while also outlining challenges to creating a moreaccessible built environment, like a lack of funding and other administrative impediments. In a broader study on accessibility, Lazar and Briggs (2015) noted builtenvironment issues with the Baltimore County Public Library branches, like inaccessible signage and a broken ramp railing.…”

Section: Public Library Literature On Accessibilitysupporting

confidence: 66%

“…It was initially expected that all codes would fall under traditional services and resources. The inclusion of information on the accessibility of the facility was an unexpected development, as previous research (Hill, 2011) found no information about the accessibility of the facility on library websites.…”

Section: Rq2: What Information On Accessibility Is Available?mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The studies looked at what information was available on accessibility and how easy it was to find that information (Cassner et al, 2011;Gabel et al, 2016;Graves & German, 2018;Hill, 2011;Power & LeBeau, 2009). There was also a focus on where on the website that information was located (Cassner et al, 2011;Hill, 2011;Power & LeBeau, 2009). In addition, these studies noted the type of language used, categorizing language as student/patron oriented versus organizationally focused (Gabel et al, 2016;Power & LeBeau, 2009).…”

Section: Library Literature On Website Language Usementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lastly, Hill (2011) looked at public libraries in Ontario in light of the newly passed AODA customer service standards. They found that accessibility information was generally buried several pages down in website navigation, and few changes based on the legislation were evident.…”

Section: Library Literature On Website Language Usementioning

confidence: 99%

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Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Hill

2020

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An environment may be technically accessible, in that it complies with accessibility legislation or makes space for those with disabilities, but that does not guarantee equality. A space or experience can be technically accessible according to a standard and still be unusable, difficult to use or not perceived to be inclusive of those with disabilities. This research takes this understanding of ‘technically accessible’ in order to examine a set of medium-sized Ontario public library websites. Overall, findings are promising as the websites use person-first language and provide a variety of information of value for those with disabilities. At the same time, there are opportunities for improvement.

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Section: Public Library Literature On Accessibilitysupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Rq2: What Information On Accessibility Is Available?mentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Library Literature On Website Language Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Library Literature On Website Language Usementioning

confidence: 99%

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Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Hill

2020

Partnership

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“…This shift includes changing the language that lib raries use on web pages to focus on the community rather than the library, as Hill suggested. 16 Another example of the social model in practice would be using personcentered language such as "people with disabilities," rather than "dis abled people." This includes writing policy and training staff to talk about and to patrons with disabilities as patrons first, focusing on the disability only when it is substantively relev ant to the patron's specific need.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accessibility and Disability Services in Virginia’s Four-Year Academic Libraries: A Content Analysis of Library Webpages

Vaughan¹,

Warlick

2020

Virginia Libraries

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Academic libraries serve a wide range of students, faculty, and staff with diverse needs for library accessibility, including people with temporary and chronic disabilities. The social model of disability frames an approach to library support for this population that is grounded in social justice and the library's role in minimizing barriers to library access. Promoting accessible library services and spaces via the library's website is an important component. This study analyzed the library websites of forty Virginia four-year academic institutions to identify current practices in the state for including an accessibility or disability services webpage or online policy statement. This content was found on eleven library websites. Naming conventions, location in the site architecture, and an analysis of content were explored. Based on this analysis, the authors conclude with two sets of recommendations for libraries wishing to edit or create their own accessibility services page for their website.

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A thematic analysis of library association policies on services to persons with disabilities

Hill

2021

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PurposeLibrary association policies and guidelines are important to study because they reflect consensus values of the profession. As such, they can shape the association, itself, and set the tone for the values of its individual members in their professional practice. From the titles alone, these documents proclaim themselves to be guides for the development of individual library policy. Additionally, as library and information science (LIS) graduate education programs are accredited by national associations, LIS schools pay attention to association policies and guidelines to help shape professional and continuing education. In these ways, they have a role in shaping professional ideology around a topic. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe services to persons with disabilities policies from three national-level LIS organizations were analyzed through a thematic analysis.FindingsThe guidelines speak to a shared understanding of disability and accessibility around the themes of library staff, library policies and library resources and services. While not surprising, additional themes around disability context and legislation show a shared understanding of accessibility that is much broader than what the legislation requires.Originality/valueAn analysis of guidelines on services to persons with disabilities from the American Library Association (ALA), Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) is of interest because of the ways these organizations intersect. The ALA and ALIA have reciprocal agreements so that students in LIS education programs are recognized as equivalents. Second, the ALA accredits library education programs in Canada. Given these intersecting relationships, the guidelines-shared notions of accessibility become of high interest.

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Ontario Public Libraries, Accessibility, and Justice: A Capability Approach

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Accessibility and Disability Services in Virginia’s Four-Year Academic Libraries: A Content Analysis of Library Webpages

A thematic analysis of library association policies on services to persons with disabilities

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