Universal Topics
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Susan David deMaine
Equitable access, which includes access for people with disabilities, is included in the first principle of the ethical codes of both the American Association of Law Libraries and the American Library Association. Accessibility in law libraries that are open to the public is an especially keen concern because it implicates access to justice and government information, both of which are key to a successful democracy. This chapter will introduce concepts that help us think productively about accessibility and explore accessibility issues in both physical and digital spaces, considering a few issues unique to law libraries.
- Law librarians need to consider many different types of disabilities when planning for both space and research materials.
- It is critical to gather basic knowledge of the legal accessibility requirements and how to go about meeting them.
- Universal design is a paradigm for planning and designing architecture, services, and information resources that are usable for everyone without special accommodations.
Framing Accessibility: Disability to Usability
Talking about disabilities is not easy. It focuses on differences instead of commonalities, and those differences are often used to exclude people rather than include them. Champions of disability rights have worked tirelessly to spread the message that we are all people; first, we all have varying abilities, and many disabilities are largely invisible but nonetheless important.
Laws and standards addressing disabilities are often about removing existing barriers to access. However, those who think deeply about access and abilities point to a larger paradigm known as universal, or sometimes inclusive, design.i Originally rooted in architecture, the essential idea of universal design is that the built environment and many of the products we use can be designed from the outset to enable use by, and even empower, people of all ages, sizes, and physical capabilities.ii Universal design works to avoid accommodations that alter experiences and separate people with certain abilities from others. The idea is that when spaces and items are designed with the broadest range of people in mind, the results are better for everyone and can open up new uses. Classic examples of universal design successes include curb cuts, lever (as opposed to knob) door handles, automatic sliding doors, multi-height drinking fountains, zero-depth-entry pools, digital or verbal thermometers, touchless faucets, and task lighting. Universal design shifts the focus from disability to usability, from differences to commonalities.
Types of limitations
One result of the accessibility movement and interest in universal design is a broader and better understanding of people’s limitations, many of which are invisible. Law librarians working to achieve accessibility need to consider the many different disabilities that people may present.
Motor disabilities can affect gross motor ski