Certainly, this is not about blame. This is about common sense. If we are
going to move forward with issues related to accessibility, than we cannot
make excuses or rationalizations for the problems that linger on and on.
Libraries are not accessible. ALA as the organization highlighting the
efforts and successes of librarians across the country, and should be the
driving force for accessibility of libraries. All libraries.
Finally, the reality was, the ALA Annual Conference held in Chicago in 2005
was not accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Valerie Lewis
Valerie Lewis
Director, LI Talking Book Library
Administrator of Outreach Services
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
P.O. Box 9000
Bellport, NY 11713-9000
(631) 286-1600, X1365
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-----Original Message-----
From: EASI's Library Accessibility Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah Hamrick
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 1:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Placing Accessibility once again on ALA's agenda
I have a few concerns with the issue that has been raised here regarding
accessibility at the ALA Conference in Chicago. First and foremost, blaming
"ALA" for accessibility issues isn't very helpful. Linda, you're off the
hook since you're no longer a member, but I suspect many subscribers to this
list are still members, and WE are ALA. If we think something isn't right
we need to work within the ALA system to get it resolved.
Second, I've re-read ALA's policy #54.3.2 regarding library services for
people with disabilities, and it doesn't mention universal design or
universal accessibility for conferences. It says "ALA Conference Services
Office... must make every effort to provide accessible accommodations as
requested by individuals with special needs..." If we aren't happy with
that part of the policy, let's change it!
Third, ALA's Annual Conference is HUGE. This year there were about 25,000
participants. In recent years there have been more than 350 programs over
3-4 days at a typical conference (that's programs, not meetings). ALA's
Conference Services staff is a pretty small group with a very big job. The
reality of our world is that many conference facilities are simply not as
accessible as we would like. Convention centers are cavernous, and we often
have to walk a long way to get from one place to another. Buses and bus
transportation don't always work very well. Rooms don't have appropriate
amplification. Elevators aren't convenient (if they are there at all) or
don't work. Bathrooms are up a flight of stairs. Public computers don't
have assistive technology. Until we live in a world that is 100 accessible,
there's really no way ALA can put on a conference that is 100% accessible --
there are just too many of us!
I, for one, would much rather ALA staff use my money and focus their time on
providing appropriate accommodations for the people who really need them
(and make the conference 100% accessible for those individuals who need it!)
than give attention to making things accessible just in case someone might
have a need!
And while I'm on my soapbox, it really bugs me that the ALA Accessibility
policy says that "Conference programs and meetings focusing on the needs of,
services to, or of particular interest to people with disabilities should
have priority for central meeting locations in the convention/conference
center or official conference hotels." I wasn't thrilled with that
statement when the policy was written, and I'm still not. I think it
implies that we assume members with disabilities are primarily interested in
programs about services to people with disabilities, and I hope that's not
true! I'll raise that issue for the Accessibility Agenda meeting in San
Antonio at Midwinter.
I'd love to see some discussion on this list about things WE can do to make
conference more accessible. If it's really a problem, let's work through
the Accessibility Assembly and ALA Conference Services to make something
happen!
Sarah Hamrick
--
Sarah E. Hamrick
Director of Information Services
Gallaudet University Library
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 651-5214 V/T
(202) 651-5213 FAX
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---------------------------
Check out EASI New Synchronous Clinics: http://easi.cc/clinic.htm EASI Home
Page http://www.rit.edu/~easi Online courses and Clinics
http://easi.cc/workshop.htm Check the EASI Library Web
http://www.rit.edu/~easi/lib.htm
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Check out EASI New Synchronous Clinics:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm
EASI Home Page http://www.rit.edu/~easi
Online courses and Clinics http://easi.cc/workshop.htm
Check the EASI Library Web http://www.rit.edu/~easi/lib.htm
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