Building Access and Environment
1. Keep aisles clear for wheelchair users. Remove protruding objects for the safety of users who are visually impaired.
2. The elevators may not be fully accessible (i.e. may not have both auditory and visual signals for floors or controls marked in large print and Braille or raised notation, etc.) so you may need to assist multiply disabled individuals to the right floor.
3. All service desks and facilities such as book returns may not be wheelchair accessible and do not have technology for visually impaired individuals. Disabled patrons may need assistance in these areas.
4. Disabled patrons may have difficulty reading directional signs throughout the library, shelf and stack identifiers that are not in large print or Braille formats, call numbers on book spines, instructions on using equipment that is not marked with large print or Braille labels.
5. Be aware of the locations of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY) in the library system. There are currently TTYs at the Main Reference Desk (263-6835) and the Publicity Department (263-6812).
6. Patrons with disabilities may prefer to use personal equipment or may be distracted by noise and movement around them. Staff are encouraged to ask patrons if they would like to be directed to a quiet area.
Helpful Communication Hints
When you are working with someone who has a disability, keep in mind that you are dealing with a person first. Other than this, there are no strict rules when it comes to relating to people with disabilities. Here are some helpful hints:
1. Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration that you give others.
2. Ask a person with a disability if he/she needs help before helping.
3. Talk directly to the person with a disability, not through the person's companion.
4. Refer to a person's disability only if it is relevant to the conversation.
5. Avoid negative descriptions of a person's disability. For example, "a person who uses a wheelchair" is more appropriate than "a person confined to a wheelchair." Remember, in actuality, a wheelchair is not confining it's liberating.
6. Refer to the person first and then the disability. "A man who is blind" is better than "a blind man" because it emphasizes the person first.
Visual Impairments
1. Be descriptive with people with visual impairments. Say, "The computer is about three feet to your left," rather than, "The computer is over there."
2. When guiding people with visual impairments, offer them your arm rather than grabbing or pushing them.
3. Always ask permission before you interact with a person's guide or service dog.
Learning Disabilities
1. If asked, read instructions to users with some specific learning disability.
Mobility Impairments
1. Try sitting in order to make level eye contact with patrons in wheelchairs when you interact.
Speech Impairments
1. Listen carefully and ask people with speech impairments to repeat what they have said if you don't understand.
Hearing Impairments
1. Face people with hearing impairments and speak clearly when you talk to them.
2. Offer a pencil and paper to facilitate communication.
Springfield
Library
http://www.springfieldlibrary.org
220 State Street
Springfield MA 01103
413-263-6828
This page last updated: 2/28/02