Important Issues
The links on this page will lead you to excerpts from selected ASCLA publications or to Web sites that may be of interest according to the headings below.Blind and Physically Handicapped | Certification |Cooperative Multitype Library Organizations | Equity of Access | Impaired Elderly Library Patrons | Independent Librarians | Learning Disabilities | Prison Libraries | State Libraries
Stories About the Community Benefits of the Library Services and Technology Act
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Accessibility Basics for Librarians An Educational Service of the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) and Leslie Harris & Associates
- U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page
- U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy
- Section 508 Home Page
- Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy
- The ADA Library Kit: Sample ADA-Related Documents to Help You Implement the Law
- APA Style: Removing Bias in Language (Re: People with Disabilities)
- Australian Library and Information Association: Statement on Library and Information Services for People with a Disability
Blind and Physically Handicapped
- 2001 ASCLA Conference Program: "Reading and Exploring Together: Empowering Children with Disabilities and Their Parents as Library Users"--see related files below.
- Introduction to the Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (2004) (Adobe® Acrobat® document)
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
- PBS P.O.V.: Freedom Machines : "Freedom Machines" takes a new look at disability through the lens of assistive technology. The experiences of a group of unforgettable people let us re-examine ideas about ability and disability grounded in our culture and attitudes. Also: Resources
- Assistive Tech : Search for assistive technology at this Web site by product type.
- Arthritis foundation : The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions with advocacy, programs, services and research.
Certification
Certified Public Library Administrator Program -- The CPLA program is a post-MLS certification program for public librarians with three years or more of supervisory experience.Cooperative Multitype Library Organizations
Equity of Access
- Papers of Cynthia Waddell
- Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium
- Technology Access and Assistive Technology: Four Principles and Some Web Sites
- AbilityHub, a firm starting point for finding information concerning Assistive Technology
- Universal Design
- The Access Board: A Federal Agency Committed to Accessible Design
WEB ACCESSIBILTY TOOLS
- Cynthia Says: Tool for Checking Web Page Accessibility
- TIDY--Software for cleaning up sloppy HTML code.
- WAVE--Helps you check if your page is accessible to people with disabilities.
- A-Prompt--software tool designed to improve the usability of HTML documents by evaluating Web pages for accessibility barriers.
Impaired Elderly Library Patrons
- Excerpt from 101 Ideas for Serving the Impaired Elderly
Independent Librarians
- Surviving and Thriving on Your Own: A Tool Kit for the Independent Librarian
An ASCLA ILEX Web Publication
Learning Disabilities
- Final Report on the Roads To Learning Initiative
- LD/ADD Pride Online at http://www.ldpride.net is an interactive community and information resource for adults with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder.
- "Learning Disabilities Worldwide (LDW) envisions a world where learning disabilities (LD) are universally understood, accepted, and effectively addressed. We work to create a world where all persons with LD are supported in their endeavors and feel empowered to achieve their maximum potential in their academic careers, workplace, and personal development." (from LDW vision statement)
Prison Libraries
- Resolution on Prisoners'Right to Read: Excerpt from Library Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions (1992), page 28
- National Institute for Correctional Education (NICE) was recently established with joint funding from the Departments of Justice and Education. Housed at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, its mission is to assist educators in enhancing the services they provide and to foster effective learning environments in prisons and jails.
- Library Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions
- The Directory of State Prison Librarians can be found at the Maryland State Department of Education, Correctional Education web site at: http://ce.msde.state.md.us/library/Directory04/directory04.htm.