Access for library users with disabilities

SCONUL promotes the social model of disability, which regards people as being disabled by social barriers. If no barrier exists, then a person with an impairment is not prevented from using services. These barriers may be physical, or attitudinal or behavioural. Sometimes inappropriate or inadequate responses create barriers for disabled people. For example, students may feel embarrassed about asking for a large-print library guide in front of other people. If guides to services are available on web pages, they are accessible to people with a visual impairment, since software can be used to magnify the text or read it aloud. They will also be available for all students to see off campus. Taking a proactive approach to identifying and removing barriers is likely to result in improved services for everyone