Revised Guidelines for Accessible Libraries and Services for Everyone: A Brief Overview of Tips for Ensuring Access to Information for Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

The Revised Guidelines for Accessible Libraries and Services for Everyone, prepared mainly by the IFLA/Library Services for People with Special Needs Section (LSN) members, is being reviewed by IFLA. While the original is still helpful today, it has been revised in light of the changing global situation related to persons with disabilities and the remarkable progress in library services for the target population under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Guidelines result from the recent LSN activities, which could be very practical for many libraries and librarians. This paper provides an overview of the revised guidelines, including the sections of the Preface and the Purpose, Philosophy and Overview, Leadership and Management Responsibilities in Library Accessibility, Events, Physical Access, Online Accessibility, and Accessibility for Specific Groups. The paper also briefly discusses tips for ensuring access to the information libraries and librarians provide. In addition, it describes the issues raised by the guidelines and their solutions and discusses what libraries and librarians can do to ensure inclusive library services that welcome all people.

Keywords: guidelines, accessible libraries and services, persons with disabilities. access to information