RLI 286  19 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC 2015 as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.”5 The ADA “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress.”6 Compliance with the ADA regulations is an important goal for every library in the nation, whether public, special, or research in nature and focus. The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes that libraries may play a major role in the lives of patrons of all abilities therefore, ALA has particularly emphasized providing inclusive services, removing structural barriers, stocking accessible library materials, integrating assistive technology, recruiting people with disabilities, and educating librarians on disability issues.7 Complaints about noncompliance with the ADA rules are investigated and, when necessary, acted upon by the US Department of Justice and the Department of Education. There already is a lengthy list of cases taken to court in the form of briefs, summary judgments, settlements, and other legal documents such as complaints before both departments, indicating that enforcement in this area is taken very seriously.8 The basics of physical accessibility for any library building include designated parking spaces in close proximity to the building, ramps if there are steps at entrances, low-energy or automatic door opening devices, and, of course, elevators if there is more than one floor in the building. As far as structural specifications for libraries are concerned, Section 8 of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines, effective January 1, 2009, covers most aspects of these, including reading and study areas, check-out areas, card catalogs, and magazine displays. Very definitive minimum measurements are listed for aisle space clearance (for the passage of wheelchairs) and the height of tables and displays, as well as other features of the library setting. The width of the stacks is also accounted for, although the height of stacks is not regulated.9 In addition to the ADA regulations, another federal agency, the US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB or Access Board) issues guidelines to ensure that buildings, facilities, and transit vehicles are both accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.10 Universal design is a desirable goal for all libraries and all public buildings because, as the name implies, it serves everyone well—the very young, the very old, and those individuals both with and without disabilities. Just as the physical aspects of accessibility must be carefully considered in any library construction or renovation, under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the library’s electronic communications must also strive to be compliant with ADA website requirements to provide equal access. This is a somewhat complicated area because, since the Obama Administration is committed to increasing improving access to government information and data for all people, the most stringent regulations pertain to federal, state, and local governmental agencies, whereas the rules for the private sector are not as clearly stated. However, although there are as yet no specific published technical ADA requirements vis-à-vis the Universal design is a desirable goal for all libraries and all public buildings because, as the name implies, it serves everyone well—the very young, the very old, and those individuals both with and without disabilities.
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