Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Abstract

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.

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

“…In addition, these minimum standards are also developed through a negotiated understanding of what would make a particular environment accessible. An organization, however, can be technically accessible within the law, but not be user friendly or inclusive of those with disabilities (Hill, 2020;Byerley and Chambers, 2002;McCord et al, 2002;Byerley et al, 2007;Blechner, 2015).…”

“…There is a small amount of literature focused on the physical environment (Hughes, 2017;Hill, 2011;Copeland, 2011;Lazar and Briggs, 2015). Another small portion of the literature looks at how accessibility is discussed on library websites and databases (Hill, 2020;Power and LeBeau, 2009;Graves and German, 2018;Gabel et al, 2016;Cassner, Maxey-Harris and Anaya, 2011). A newer aspect of the literature has been the examination of the library as a workplace for people with disabilities (Oud, 2019;Pionke, 2019Pionke, , 2020Schomberg and Highby, 2020).…”

Getting Warmer: A Refined Taxonomy For Assessing Public Libraries' Response to the Climate Crisis

“…Web pages are acceptable text for content analysis as they meet seven criteria: cohesion, coherence, intentionality, acceptability, informativity, situationality, and intertextuality (Beaugrande & Dressler in White & Marsh, 2006). Hill (2020) and Moynihan and Clarke (2022) previously used content analysis of Ontario public library websites to investigate research questions about Ontario public libraries.…”

‘May Be a Picture of a Dog and a Book’: The Inaccessibility of Public Library Social Media Feeds

“…Library websites vary in their accessibility (Brobst, 2009;Conway, 2011;Conway et al, 2012;Hill, 2013;Liu et al, 2017;Maatta Smith, 2014;Oud, 2012;Yi, 2015). A small portion of the literature explores how accessibility is discussed on library websites and in databases (Cassner et al, 2011;Gabel et al, 2016;Graves & German, 2018;Hill, 2020;Power & LeBeau, 2009). The authors did not find any works that examine the accessibility of library social media posts.…”