Reasonable Accommodation for people with disabilities

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In 2003 An Chomhairle Leabharlanna and The Equality Authority began a joint project to investigate how public libraries can provide reasonable accommodation to their services for people with disabilities. The project featured two elements: the publication of a booklet on best practice, and a pilot training programme.

Library Access

Library Access was prepared by Alun Bevan (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) and Maureen Gilbert (disability consultant with The Equality Authority) and published in 2003. It provides examples of best practice in a whole host of areas, including consultation; policy formation and planning; disability audits; inclusive design; training; marketing, and quality control. Copies of the booklet are available free of charge from An Chomhairle Leabarlanna or The Equality Authority or it may be downloaded in either PDF or RTF format.

Pilot Training Programme

Following a call for applications, four library services were selected to take part in a pilot training progamme to deliver training in disability issues to public library staff. The training focussed on providing reasonable accomodation and the four particpating authorities were Cavan County Council; Kildare County Council; Dublin City Council, and Mayo County Council. The report of the pilot training programme, Making Access Happen, was published in September 2004. You can read about the launch of the booklet in our News section.

Copies of Making Access Happen are available free of charge from An Chomhairle Leabharlanna or The Equality Authority or it may be downloaded in either PDF or RTF format.

For further information please contact Alun Bevan in An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.