Library services for users with motor, visual and hearing disabilities: theory and practice

Abstract

For some years now we have happily noticed an increase in the number of persons with disabilities who are able to leave their homes. Current legislation has certainly given great impulse to this phenomenon. It has permitted access to schools and integration at the highest levels of school and university education. It was precisely by taking a cue from the experience of the University of Padua that it was possible to understand what interventions were necessary in order for people with disabilities to be able to fully use library services to the same extent as other users. Neither should it be forgotten that what is described can be altered in order to improve services also for the elderly who often, while not disabled in the strict sense of the word, do however have special requirements.
The object of the exercise must be that of creating for the disabled user conditions that are as equal as possible to those of other users. Allowing libraries to offer services in the name of personal independence really does mean promoting a new culture of disability.
There is an initial problem of communication, that is of how to let the user know about the material that he can use, of where he can find it, of the ways in which he can use it, etc.
Let us just suppose that the flow of information comes from the Web site of the library: it is almost certain that persons with visual disabilities cannot access it and it is also quite likely that persons with serious motor difficulties in their upper limbs will find it difficult to navigate there.
Let us now suppose that, in his or her search for information, a disabled user wants to communicate with the library: what steps must be overcome?. We will just concentrate on the three great types of handicap, that is on motor, visual and hearing disabilities. Users who fall into one of these "categories" should be able to enter the library, find personnel with whom to communicate, go through the catalogues, be able to sit at the consultation tables and be able to read.
Even these simple activities turn out to be extremely problematic if catalogues are not arranged in the right way, if rooms are not prepared with suitable tables with adjustable heights, if computer and non-computer aids for the various types of disability are not purchased, and of course if all the architectural barriers that sometimes prevent actual access to a library are not removed. Extremely important is the presence of an expert librarian who will assist the disabled person throughout his or her research. Special skills which a librarian does not usually possess are however required: this is where the necessity arises to provide suitable training for some members of the library staff.
The task of the librarian with regard to disabled users is not that of helping them to accept their disability or invent special rehabilitation therapies: his or her task is that of providing the disabled person with the same services as those that a non-disabled person expects. Taking for granted that some categories of people "are not able" to attend a library because they walk on wheels or read with their hands means committing a very serious act of discrimination against them. This act is even more blameworthy because it derives exclusively from the ignorance of simple perceptions.