Services to People with Disabilities: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes that people with disabilities are a significant and vibrant part of society. Libraries should be fully inclusive and work to remove barriers to access. By providing accessible resources and services, libraries can help all users take part more fully in their communities and promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)1 defines a person with a disability as:

  • someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
  • someone with a history or record of such impairment; or
  • someone who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

There is no exhaustive list of disabilities. The term “person with a disability” includes people with a diversity of abilities, identities, and appearances. This intersectional group shares common experiences of discrimination and barriers to access.

Libraries must follow all applicable laws, including the ADA requirements and state or local disability accessibility guidelines. Libraries should check with legal counsel to understand their legal responsibilities.

Libraries should

  • learn about the technical and legal standards for digital accessibility;
  • offer training for staff and volunteers on how to serve users with disabilities and work with colleagues who have disabilities;
  • provide equal access to collections, services, and facilities for all users. If full access is not possible, libraries should quickly provide reasonable accommodations so people with disabilities have a similar experience;
  • have policies and procedures which are inclusive of people of all abilities; and
  • have policies to support hiring people with disabilities and including them on governing boards.

Libraries remove barriers to information when they offer content in accessible formats. Library workers should research and use new and existing accessible technologies to support users. Libraries should provide equal access to physical and online spaces and make sure all users know these tools and services are available.

Library workers

  • should never assume a person’s limits based on disability.
  • should not let their personal and professional biases shape services or resources.
  • should connect with people with disabilities and advocacy and support groups to build partnerships. These partnerships should help guide program planning, collection development and changes to library spaces.
  • should include as many diverse community members as possible in all stages of planning and implementation.

Library Resources and Collections (print and online)

Libraries must act legally, ethically, and inclusively to meet the information needs of all users. This should include materials by and about people with disabilities. This group has historically not been treated equitably. Libraries should not limit access to materials based on assumptions about what users need, are interested in, or can understand. The collection should include perspectives by persons with disabilities and representation across:

  • age;
  • race;
  • gender;
  • class; and
  • orientation.

To be inclusive, libraries must provide accurate, up-to-date, and representative materials. They should also preserve historic materials that show the progress toward inclusion and equality in American society.

Library collections should also be accessible to everyone. All resources should be available in accessible formats to people of all ages and abilities. This includes the library website and online resources. Library administrators should work closely with vendors to ensure accessibility of resources. They should make sure vendors set reasonable deadlines to fix accessibility issues. Libraries should not license, subscribe, or buy a resource or product until these issues are addressed.2

Physical Spaces, Exhibits, Meeting Rooms and Programs

Physical access should never stop anyone from using the library. Buildings should be accessible, or reasonable accommodations should be provided.

Information about the library facility should be available on the library’s website in an accessible format.

If libraries offer exhibit spaces and meeting rooms, these spaces should be as physically accessible as other public spaces. Examples of accessible features include:

  • automatic doors;
  • handrails;
  • elevators;
  • ramps;
  • clear travel paths;
  • accessible tables, desks, restrooms and parking.

To ensure accessibility for all, libraries should provide reasonable accommodations, including:

  • sign-language interpreters;
  • open captions during presentations; and
  • visual description during programming.

These accommodations should be available upon request. Information about all available accommodations and how to request them should be easily accessible to all users in-person and on the library website.

Privacy, Confidentiality and Censorship

A person’s rights to privacy and confidentiality and quality of service should not be affected based on their disability.

Censorship often silences the voices of those who are already marginalized. Libraries give everyone a chance to be heard, including those whose voices are quieter or heard less often. As stated in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights, “Libraries should counter censorship by practicing inclusion.”3

Notes

1. U.S. Department of Justice, “Guide to Disability Rights Laws,” last modified July 2009, https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm.

2. Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments,” last modified April 2024. https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/

3. “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted June 27, 2017, by the ALA Council under the previous name “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion; amended May 29, 2025. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/EDI

Adopted January 28, 2009, by the ALA Council under the previous name "Services to Persons with Disabilities"; amended June 26, 2018; and June 29, 2025.