Various types of disabilities are described below, followed by a discussion of the implications of each type of disability for your library.

Mobility and Agility Disabilities

The majority of disabilities are mobility related. Gross motor disabilities affect people’s ability to move about. They result in difficulty walking up and down stairs as well as standing for long periods of time. Fine motor difficulties affect people’s ability to move their hands and fingers, for example, they find turning a page or using a keyboard difficult.

What does this mean for the library?

• Provide ample seating near the collections, so users can sit while reading or examining information.
• Specialized computers with alternative keyboards, mouse and speech controls, and other devices to operate the computer.
• Shelves that contain printed materials as well as CDs, videos and DVDs should be at a height that is easily accessible for the user.

Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities typically involve some form of intellectual impairment, as well as low level reading and writing abilities.

What does this mean for the library?

• Collections should contain materials with high interest and low vocabulary requirements.
• Assistive technology is available to help with reading and writing.
  Provide headphones to use with text-to-speech software.
• Web pages with graphic features that flash, flicker or produce strobe effects can cause problems for users with seizure disorders.

Learning Disabilities

Patrons with learning disabilities have difficulty processing, understanding, and retaining information. There are many types of learning disabilities – many involve reading difficulties.

What does this mean for the library?

• Assistive technology such as text-to-speech conversion software should be available to assist with information processing.

Hearing Loss

Hearing impairments can range from minimal hearing loss (e.g., difficulty in hearing conversations with one other person and in a telephone conversation) to total deafness. Approximately 4% of all adults with disabilities have hearing problems.

What does this mean for the library?

• Show patrons how to access text captioning or transcriptions on audio resources.
• Keep paper and pens available to assist with communication.

Visual Impairment

Visual impairment or blindness (e.g., difficulty in seeing newsprint or clearly seeing someone’s face who is 4 metres (12 feet) away) affects approximately 2% of adults with disabilities. Colour blindness affects approximately 1 out of 10 people (usually men).

What does this mean for the library?

• Install assistive technology that increases font size on computer screen (e.g. Zoomtext). Text-to-speech conversion software, such as Read&Write, may also help. (Provide headphones for the users so that other patrons are not disturbed.)
• Put large letters on computer keyboard.
• Devices such as screen magnifiers for computers and Braille embossers and keyboards may be required for those with severe visual impairment.
• Area should be large enough to accommodate guide dogs so that they are not blocking access for other users.
• Signage should be written in large letters in high contrast to the background and with a plain (sans serif) font.
• Some users may be colour blind, so it is best to use plain, dark colours on plain, light backgrounds.

Speech Difficulties

Difficulties with speaking or being understood are reported by 1.5% of adults with disabilities.

What does this mean for the library?

• Make sure that e-mail and other modes of communication are available to users.
• Ensure that paper and pens are available so that people can easily write messages