New Zealand libraries and disabilities : what is being done to increase access to library resources and services for the disabled in New Zealand

Abstract

This research project addresses the problem of accessibility for the disabled in New Zealand Public Libraries. The disabled are often excluded from accessing library resources and services because these resources and services are not in a format that is usable by the disabled. This project aimed to discover what New Zealand Public Libraries are and are not doing in the area of becoming more accessible to the disabled. A survey was sent out to all 93 Public/District Libraries in New Zealand asking for them to indicate what they are doing in various categories. The findings were compared across levels to see how the libraries measured up by level and results were displayed by a series of bar graphs and pie graphs. This project found that although some libraries are making good progress in becoming more accessible others still have a way to go. It was also found that some libraries were doing some things and not others and that for all libraries more could be done. It was concluded that libraries needed to be more proactive in moving towards being fully accessible and that awareness of potential options for accessibility be increased.