New, Free Report From ALA and Knology: “Accessibility in Libraries: A Landscape Review”

From the American Libraries Association:

The American Library Association (ALA), in collaboration with the non-profit research organization Knology, has published a review of the literature and best practices around libraries and accessibility.

The free report, “Accessibility in Libraries: A Landscape Report,” is created as part of ALA’s longtime Libraries Transforming Communities initiative.

In its 31 pages, the report explores:

• the different ways disability has been understood and defined over time (the “medical model” vs. the “social model”)
• the history of accessibility in U.S. libraries, dating back to the 19th century
• the current landscape of accessibility and its different applications in library settings today
• the resources that are available and most commonly used to include people with different kinds of disabilities into library programs and services

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Beginning November 1, the ALA Public Programs Office will accept applications for grants in the amount of $10,000 and $20,000. The opportunity, Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, is open to any type of library in the U.S. and U.S. territories that serves a small and rural community.

Learn More, Read the Complete Publication Announcement

Direct to Report: “Accessibility in Libraries: A Landscape Report
31 pages; PDF.

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