By Shelley Roossien, Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist
I recently joined the Bookmobile gang to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Disability Advocates of Kent County. Signed into law in July of 1990, ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures that their civil rights are protected in areas of public life. The annual celebration brings together the vast network of advocacy agencies and services that cater to those with disabilities in our community, and it is always an honor to be included in the fun!
Accessibility at the library is very important at KDL, and we strive to provide programs, services and an environment that is welcoming for everyone. Each of our 20 locations is equipped with Sensory Packs for in-branch use, which provide fidgets, noise cancelling headphones and weighted items to accommodate a variety of sensory needs. The East Grand Rapids Branch can 3D print accessible aids, like playing card and book holders. Some locations host programs like ASL Storytime, Sensory Storytime and sensory-friendly movie screenings. We also try to provide accommodations at our programs upon request whenever possible, such as having ASL interpreter or providing any printed materials in Braille.
Our collection is filled with materials in a variety of accessible formats, including Large Print, audiobooks and Braille, that can be checked out with your library card. KDL also hosts the Talking Book & Braille Center, a service that is part of the National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled network through the Library of Congress. This service provides accessible reading materials to anyone that cannot read standard print due to a visual, physical or reading disability. All playback equipment is provided, and materials are mailed directly to the patron’s home for free or can be downloaded to a personal device using the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) mobile app. To learn more or apply for the program, visit kdl.org/tbbc.
At KDL, we continue to innovate and improve library accessibility. Be on the lookout for more accessible tools and gadgets in our Beyond Books collection, as well as a completely refreshed Adaptive Technology lab coming this fall.
Check out some highlights from the ADA Celebration:
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