South Carolinian Public Libraries' ADA Accommodations to Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

Since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, no overall data has been collected on the accessibility of library services and facilities to people with disabilities. This research study responds to this lack of statistics. Using a survey questionnaire, the researcher gathered data on ADA accommodations made by the entire system of 48 South Carolinian public libraries and their 137 branches in three categories: (I) Physical Access; (II) Collections and Services, and (III) Users, Staff, and Policymaking. One hundred and six (57.29%) libraries completed the questionnaire. After testing their answers for statistical significance, the researcher concluded that South Carolinian public libraries made the greatest degree of accommodation in the area of physical access, with some shortcomings in terms of telephones, service desks, alarms and signs, toilet mirrors, and urinals. In contrast, urgent improvements are needed in Category II and Category III, which competed for the position of least compliance. Specifically, a majority of the libraries need to conduct user surveys to identify people with disabilities in their communities and to develop written policies related to the needs of these people. While formulating these, special attention should be given to the provision of special services and staff training, as well as to assistive devices to access both digital and non-electronic materials. The researcher also tested three hypotheses about possible correlates between library's location, (re)construction date and type on one hand and its ADA compliance on the other. The data showed that the (re)construction date had the most impact, with post-1992 libraries providing greater physical access. of importance was also the library's location, with rural libraries being less ADA compliant in terms of their toilet facilities, drinking fountains, provision of materials in alternative formats, special services, and staff training. The variable of the library being a main or branch library had little effect on its accessibility.

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