ARCHIVED - The Council on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians

Access for All: Calgary Public Library

Presented by Rosemary Griebel

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Background/Planning

• Established focused service in 1974
• In 1996, conducted one of the first public library needs assessments of services for people with disabilities
• Conduct annual customer satisfaction surveys
• Annual Reports to the Board, with 3-year Strategic Plans

Collections

• 30,000 large print
• 14,500 talking books (purchase from Canada, U.S. and Britain)
• 125 descriptive videos
• 200 print-Braille books
• Two-track & Four-track players
• Electronic resources

Staff Resources/Customer Service

• 6 FTE/230 volunteers
• System-wide staff training
• Annual accessibility audit ("Books not Barriers" brochure/Web-site)

Technology

• 8 adaptive technology workstations located throughout city (includes JAWS, Braille printer/display, scanner)
• Community advisory group
• Accessible web-site

Partnerships/Outreach

• Alberta Access Project!(first province to enter into partnership with CNIB -- serves reading/learning disabled as well as CNIB clients)
• Educational Institutions
• Service Providers

Outreach/Marketing/ Advocacy

• over 150 programs & presentations (2000)
• brochures in accessible format
• use of non-print media to promote programs and services

The Reality:

• … a small world for people with print disabilities (over 2 million books for print readers, less than 25,000 items for people who can't access print. )

Critical Issues for Public Libraries:

• Availability of resources
• Cost of materials/technology
• Low customer expectations
• Education/training
• Lack of national policy/leadership

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