Niall Bradley, Kildare County Manager launches “Making Access Happen” today Thursday 23rd September at the National Library of Ireland. This is a joint publication by the Equality Authority and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.
‘Making Access Happen’ explores practical initiatives to reasonably accommodate library users with disabilities. It is based on four pilot projects in the library sector in Cavan, Dublin, Kildare and Mayo. These projects tested out new approaches to ensuring the library service is relevant and accessible to people with disabilities. It is hoped that these approaches can now be taken up across the library sector and within the local authorities where they are located.
“This project responds to the need for change in organisational systems and practices if people with disabilities are to secure full participation in society. It identifies the need for the development of new systems within organisations to ensure they are relevant and accessible to people with disabilities. Systems are required that achieve a dialogue with people with disability and their organisations about their needs and how best to meet these. Secondly systems are needed to stimulate change in the organisational culture through staff training and staff manuals. Thirdly systems are required to ensure there is an ongoing focus on making reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities through policy statements and the allocation of staff responsibilities in this area” states Niall Crowley, CEO of the Equality Authority at the launch.
‘Making Access Happen’ will assist in planned and systematic approaches to making reasonable accommodation for library users with disabilities. It is part of a wider initiative to support such approaches that now involves the Equality Authority, the Library Council, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, RGDATA and the Irish Bankers Federation.
The Equal Status Act prohibits discrimination by service providers on nine distinct grounds including disability. There is a requirement on service providers to make reasonable accommodation for customers with disabilities if it would be impossible or unduly difficult for that person to access the service without special treatment, facilities or adjustments. This is subject to a nominal cost exemption. Last year a total of 138 (17%) casefiles were referred to the Equality Authority in the area of disability under the Equal Status Act. These included claims of discrimination in access to public sector services, licensed premises, transport, shops, insurance and finance services. Most of these casefiles reflect the failure by service providers in many sectors to make reasonable accommodation for customers with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Norma McDermott, Director of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna the Library Council, states “We are delighted that the four local authorities agreed to take part in this important project. ‘Making Access Happen’ highlights the very positive partnership between the public library service, the Equality Authority, and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. This partnership will result in a better library service for all, and in particular for those with disabilities. Library services aim to serve all users equally and to provide a space for all. The report outlines practical steps which library services can take to reasonably accommodate people with disabilities and we look forward to broadening the project to include all library authorities in Ireland”.
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