Accessible Libraries

The Significance of the UN Convention

on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Anne Sieberns

IALL Conference

Berlin, 23 Sept 2015

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2http://www.institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de/en/crpd-monitoring-body/

CRPD

Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities (CRPD)

� Adopted: 13 December 2006 (A/RES/61/106)

� Entry into force: 3 May 2008

� Ratification status: 157 State Parties (Sept 2015)

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4http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx

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http://indicators.ohchr.org

CRPD

The CRPD marks a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches

to persons with disabilities.

Preamble to the Convention :

“(e) Recognizing that disability is an evolving concept and that

disability results from the interaction between persons with

impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that

hinder their full and effective participation in society on an

equal basis with others”

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Guiding principles of the CRPD

� Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy and

independence of persons

� Non-discrimination

� Full and effective participation and inclusion in society

� Respect for difference and diversity

� Equality of opportunity

� Accessibility

� Equality between men and women

� Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities

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CRPD

� Article 9 – Accessibility

“1. … to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal

basis with others, to the physical environment, to

transportation, to information and communications, including

information and communications technologies and systems,

and to other facilities and services open or provided to the

public …”

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CRPD

� Article 21 - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information

“States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice …”

“(a) … in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities.”

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CRPD

� Article 24 – Education

“States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to

education ...” “… ensure an inclusive education system at all

levels and lifelong learning …”

4. “… the use of appropriate augmentative and alternative

modes, means and formats of communication, educational

techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities.”

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CRPD

� Article 30 - Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure

and sport

“1. States Parties … shall take all appropriate measures to ensure

that persons with disabilities: …

c) Enjoy access to places for cultural performances or services,

such as theatres, museums, cinemas, libraries…”

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CRPD

CRPD General Comment No. 2:

Article 9: Accessibility (Adopted 11.04.2014)

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/GC.aspx

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Accessibility and libraries

1. Building access

2. Library facilities

3. Assistive technologies

4. Alternative format material

5. Accessible e-books

6. Sensitivity training

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Building access (Selection)

� Wheelchair-accessible parking areas and entrances

� Clearly marked glass doors for the visually impaired

� Ramps or elevators as an alternative to stairs

� Large print/Braille doorbell and elevator buttons

� Elevator buttons reachable from a wheelchair

� Auditory/visual signals for floors

� Wheelchair-accessible toilets

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Library facilities (Selection)

� Are the service desks wheelchair accessible?

� Are the aisles wide enough for wheelchair-users?

� Are tables height adjustable and chairs ergonomic?

� Is at least one monitor large and adjustable?

� Are some keyboards large and/or ergonomic?

� Are devices for the deaf available?

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Universal Design

Universal Design is a term used to describe the

concept of designing all products and the built

environment to be inherently accessible to the

greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of

age, status in life or level of ability.

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Assistive technology

Assistive technology is a term used to describe a

variety of hardware and software designed to help

people with disabilities live independently. In the

context of libraries: specifically to help them gain

access to information.

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Assistive technologies for computer (Selection)

� Camera magnifier

� Screen magnification software

� Screen reader

� Braille display and translating software

� Braille printer

� Literacy program

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Alternative format materials (Selection)

� Large print books

� Braille books

� DAISY audio books

� Easy-to-read publications

� Video/DVD with subtitles and/or sign language

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Inclusion Europe (inclusion-europe.org)

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22http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication-type/easy-read-publication

23http://www.ich-kenne-meine-rechte.de/

Easy-to-Read collection GIHR

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Accessible e-books / PDF

� Accessible PDF

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/pdf.html

� EPUB3

International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF)

http://idpf.org/epub/30

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WIPO Marrakesh Treaty

Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for

Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print

Disabled

� Adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization

(WIPO) on 27 June 2013

� Ratification status: 9 State parties (Sept. 2015)

� Entry into force requires the deposit of 20 instruments of

ratification

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© WIPO 2013. Photo: Emmanuel Berrod.© WIPO 2013. Photo: Emmanuel Berrod.© WIPO 2013. Photo: Emmanuel Berrod.© WIPO 2013. Photo: Emmanuel Berrod.

WIPO Marrakesh Treaty

� Limitations and exceptions to copyright rules in order to

permit reproduction, distribution and making available

of published works in accessible formats

� “Authorized entities”

� Without the authorisation of the right holder

� Cross-border exchange

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References

American Library Association (ALA):

“ Library Accessibility – What You Need to Know”

http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaprotools/accessibilitytipsheets

IFLA LPD Section:

Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities

http://www.ifla.org/lpd

IFLA LSN Section:

Library Services to People with Special Needs

http://www.ifla.org/lsn

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Michael Z. aus Berlin: „Ein Rollstuhl ist keine Einschränkung, sondern ein

Fortbewegungsmittel. Sollten Sie tatsächlich jemanden treffen, der an den Rollstuhl

gefesselt ist, binden Sie ihn los!“

[„A wheelchair is not a constraint but a means of transportation. Should you

actually meet someone who is bound to a wheelchair, free him!“]

[„He is bound to a wheelchair“

(read in a weekly newspaper)]

Sensitivity training

Staff training on

� how to assist users with various types of disabilities

� how to communicate with persons with disabilities

� how to use the assistive technologies provided in

the library

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� Ask a person with a disability if he or she

needs help before helping.

� Talk directly to the person with a disability,

not through the person’s companion.

� Choose words free of judgemental or emotional

connotations.

� Think and speak of the person first and the disability

second.

© Copyright 2006 University of Pittsburgh

CRPD

� Article 24 – Awareness-raising

“1. States Parties undertake to adopt immediate, effective and

appropriate measures:

a) To raise awareness throughout society …

b) To combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices …

c) To promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of

persons with disabilities.”

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CRPD General Comment No. 2 (2014)

“Accessibility is a precondition for persons with disabilities to

live independently and participate fully and equally in society.

Without access to the physical environment, to

transportation, to information and communication, including

information and communications technologies and systems,

and to other facilities and services open or provided to the

public, persons with disabilities would not have equal

opportunities for participation in their respective societies.”

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ThankThankThankThank youyouyouyou!!!!