Accessibility and Inclusion

Accessibility and Inclusion

Jenna Maisto
Florida International University

Advantages

Accessibility and Inclusion

Chester Public Library as many programs that they provide which serve people of all
ages, from toddlerhood to older adults, that are mostly free. Therefore, the facility creates a more
inclusive environment for people of low economic status because they will be able to enjoy
leisure services from the library without the financial burden. The Chester Library also has a
homebound Delivery Service, which is free delivery for people who have limited mobility or
illness (temporary or permanent). As a result, the service provides opportunities for people to
carry out their love for reading despite the barriers that handicap them from going to the facility.
The library has many accessible areas that promote an inclusive environment. In priority
1 of the ADA checklists there were many accessible areas. The accessible parking is located right
at the entrance of the building, which creates a short route and easy access to the facility. There
are two accessible parking spots out of twenty-three, which according to the ADA checklist is a
perfect ratio. The route from the accessible parking to the front door is wide enough for passing
room. The area is accessible because it is large enough for a forward entrance into the main
entrance. In Priority 2 of the ADA checklist, the librarys main route inside, was exactly 60in,
providing access for a person who uses a wheelchair. Another accessible area was the checkout/help counter. The counter was the appropriate height and had enough leg room for a person
who uses a wheelchair. In priority 3 the accessibility was focused on the restroom. In the library
the restroom can be easily accessed through the door which is wide enough and very easy to
open. To the open the door minimal force is required, which accommodates a person who is only
using one hand. The stall that is accessible can be accessed through a straight approach upon
entrance. It is installed with rails to assist someone if need be. The sink in the bathroom is also in
compliance with the law, so a person who uses a wheelchair can access it easily. This priority is

Accessibility and Inclusion

very important because if a bathroom has no accessible accommodations, that can be a deciding
factor to whether someone will participate in the programs that the library offers.
Barriers
After analyzing the programs that the library offers, there were a few barriers that would
not foster an inclusive environment. The first barrier, transportation, is very important because
since the library is a public place, people with disabilities should not have to encounter these
barriers and if they do it could result in exclusion (Datillo, 2012). As mentioned previously the
library has fifteen programs, but does have an option of transportation for them. This barrier can
affect all populations and causes exclusion. Another programmatic barrier is the Sensory Story
Time this is for children who have a Sensory Processing Disorder, ADD, ADHD or Autism. In
this program the children participate in interactive stories, songs, and sensory activities. When a
program specifies similar characteristics for participation in the activity, it comes across as they
belong together (Datillo, 2012).This barrier affects everyone who has a disability. In addition,
this creates more negative attitudes, stigmas and stereotypes, which does not help an
environment become inclusive.
In addition, there are many architectural barriers in the library that can cause exclusion
for a person with a disability. According ADA checklist standard 2.38 and 2.39, the library is
inaccessible for a person who is visually impaired because they cannot locate services in the
library. The library has one sign with braille, which is located by the mens bathroom. The book
aisles are inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs. Although the aisle does meet the required
length, there are stepping stools placed in the aisles which prevent a wheelchair from passing
through. Another inaccessible area, that affects a person who uses a wheelchair is the table areas
and computer areas. For standard 2.64, it was found that there is no open area or seating for a

Accessibility and Inclusion

person who uses a wheelchair. The tables and the computer area are all filled with chairs, that are
blocking a person who uses a wheelchair from using these services. When measured, the
appropriate height and length to qualify accessibility was met, but these additional barriers
prevent access. Barriers like so portray to the consumer, with the disability, that they are not
welcome in that facility. The first inaccessible are for the toilet priority was the entrance to the
bathroom. In priority 3.8, the threshold ledge should not be greater than in, and the threshold
edge was an inch high. This is a major safety issue as any person can trip going into the
bathroom. This would mostly affect older people and people who use wheelchairs. An older
person who may have trouble balancing or have lack of stability in their legs could trip and fall.
A person using a wheelchair, may not even be able to get their wheelchair over the edge. Another
area of inaccessibility in the bathroom is the sink area. In priority 3.28, the soap and towel
dispenser are blocked by a barrier (garbage can). Therefore, a person who uses a wheelchair
cannot reach them without being blocked. Other inaccessible areas in the facility are standards
1.5 (there is no van accessible space or access lines), 1.13 (uneven pavement 1.5inch high) and
1.44 (handle to entrance of facility requires a lot of force).
Accessibility Recommendations
transportation should be part of the programs, so that people who do not have the means
of getting there, now can. Another program recommendation is to create natural proportioned
groups (Datillo, 2012). When natural proportioned groups are formed, then so are positive
attitudes, interdependence and friendships.
For standard 1.5 and 1.33, they should add van accessible spaces and also repair the
sidewalk that has cracks in it, to be in compliance with the law. Also, in standard 1.44, the door
should be automatic or the library needs to adjust the force, so that it can be easily opened. For

Accessibility and Inclusion

standard 2.47, the stepping stools in the book aisles need to be removed removed, so a person
who uses a wheelchair can independently access the goods that the library offers. The other
recommendation is for standard 2.64, which is to create accessible spaces for a person using a
wheelchair, so they can access the computer and table areas. The librarys bathroom entry has a
threshold edges that is an inch high, according to priority 3.8, this is not in compliance with the
law. They need to replace the entry edge, which would decrease the chances of injury or issues
for a person to enter the bathroom. The last recommendation is standard 3.28. The soap and
towel dispenser are not in reach for someone who uses a wheelchair. They are blocked by a
barrier which is a garbage can. This can easily be moved to a different location of the bathroom
so a person can easily access them.
The recommendations that would be keeping with the spirit of the law, would be
transportation and equally proportioned groups. These recommendations are not required by the
ADA, but they would promote an inclusive environment. By providing transportation to the
libraries programs this, truly will foster an inclusive environment. Everyone will be able to
participate and not held back because of this barrier. If the library creates equally proportioned
programs and not just special ones for children who have a disability, this would decrease the
negative attitudes and stigmas. Both of the recommendations keep up with the spirit of the law
because they could further promote an inclusive environment because the library would be
making every effort possible to include all populations in their programs, which could only result
in people sharing common interest no matter what they look like or what there means of getting
around is.
Global Review of Disability and Accessibility

Accessibility and Inclusion

The ADA, made society feel things they have never felt before. To but is simply society
realized what humanity really is. Whether you have a disability or not, we are all human being
that want and deserve the same things out of life. When the ADA passed in 1990, the US now
how to confront these barriers and stereotypes that excluded and oppressed people. For people
with disabilities, the ADA gave them the human rights they deserved to live a life, without being
discriminated against, despite that attribute they possessed that was different.
In India, they have the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995. The PWD Act, says a
disability is defined as: anyone who is blind, has low vison, has leprosy, hearing impairment,
locomotor disability, mental retardation and mental illness (India - Persons with Disabilities Act,
DREDF, 1995). In the act it also states a person with a disability is a person suffering
from not less than forty per cent of any disability as certified by a medical
authority (India - Persons with Disabilities Act, DREDF, 1995). The PWD states accessibility
and accommodation should be made for educational, employment, no discrimination with
transportations and public areas (India - Persons with Disabilities Act, DREDF, 1995).
The ADA and the PWD have two different definitions of what defines a person with a
disability. The ADA, has a broader definition of a disability than India does. The major titles for
the ADA, are very similar to the titles of the PWD. As for employment the PWD, says that a
work place must reserve a certain percentages of openings for employment (depending on how
large) for people with impaired vision, hearing impairment and locomotor or cerebral palsy
(India - Persons with Disabilities Act, DREDF, 1995). For Title I of the ADA, it prevents
employers from discriminating against a person who is qualified with a disability (Americans
with Disabilities Act, Inclusive Recreation Services, 1990). While the ADA says no

Accessibility and Inclusion

discrimination what so ever, the PWD specifies that employees need to leave job opening for
only people with those disabilities/impairments.
For Transportation the PWD states, they must be accommodated for people with
disabilities, by adding handrails and making it convenient for a person with a disability to move
around. (India - Persons with Disabilities Act, DREDF, 1995). Title II, Subtitle B, In the ADA
says that public transportation cannot discriminate against people with disabilities (Americans
with Disabilities Act, Inclusive Recreation Services, 1990).The difference is that in 2010 the
ADA put into place the Standards of Accessible Design (Datillo, 2012).
From the information that I have gathered, I feel that historically India is behind the
United States. My opinion is based on two factors, the first is the PWD definition of a disability.
India needs to make a broader definition, because a lot of people are being excluded from this
act. Second, the PWD talks about equal opportunities and some accommodations for people to
use the transit, education, public facilities, and public streets but it lacks the importance of the
real problem, which is discrimination.
If the Chester Public Library was in India, I believe that it would be in compliance with
their law. This is because the PWD, does not specify what standards should be taken, just general
special measurements of accessibility while ADA does do so, with the Standards of Accessible
Design. Two example would be the bathroom and the accessibility route to library. According the
the PWD chapter 5 section 46, it states that accommodation be made in the bathroom and that
ramps should be put in buildings, but only within the limits of their economic capacity and
development (India - Persons with Disabilities Act, DREDF, 1995).
The Disability Rights International are bringing together many different countries to
advocate for people with disabilities. On a global scale, we have all come together to address

Accessibility and Inclusion

issues and raise awareness and solution for many concerns that negatively affect people with
disabilities. The CRPD, which has been signed by most countries and is protecting the human
rights of people with disabilities, are raising awareness across the globe and promote
independent and inclusive living (CRPD, 2006). What we still have to due, is eliminate all
discrimination and negative attitudes towards people with disabilities.
Recreation and sport services have the ability to promote inclusion and develop new
friendships and understanding of all people. When sports activities are being played, the people
who are participating are sharing a common leisure interest. With this, connection is easily made.
This would decrease negative attitudes about a particular group of people. The stereotypes and
stigmas will be overcome by the realization that people with disabilities are just human being
and are capable and have the right to perform and experience leisure activities. Everyone enjoys
recreational activities it is one of the things all us humans have in common. So if we use
recreation and sport services as a platform for inclusion the possibilities are endless.

References
CRPD. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Retrieved from United
Nations:
http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
Datillo, J. (2012). Inclusive Recreation Services (Vol. 3). State College, PA,
USA: Venture
Publishing, Inc.

Accessibility and Inclusion

India - Persons with Disabilities Act. (1995). Retrieved from http://dredf.org/legaladvocacy/international-disability-rights/international-laws/india-persons-withdisabilities-act/

13 Beverly Drive
Warwick, NY 10990
October 28, 2013
Maureen Jagos
1784 Kings Highway
Chester, NY 10918
Dear Ms. Jagos,

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10

Thank you so much for letting me conduct my project in the Chester Library.
This project was an amazing learning opportunity and I am very appreciative
that I got to to it in this library. The programs that the library are amazing
because they serve people of all ages. I have surprisingly have never heard
of a home delivery service and thought that was such a great thing for
people who cannot come and enjoy your facility. I really appreciate
everything that you guys do for our community and I will definitely be
coming back!

After conducting my survey, I wanted to let you know that according the the
ADA checklist, that the accessible parking and entrance to the facility were
all in compliance with the law. Also, the amount of open space in the libraries
main route, is very accessible for a person who uses a wheelchair.
There were some things that I saw that could be changed to create a more
inclusive environment. One being the stepping stools in the book aisles. If
those barriers are removed, a person using a wheelchair would be able to get
through. Also, the sensory story time program is a wonderful program for
children with disabilities, but to create a more inclusive environment, they
should be able to participate in the other programs that the library has to
offer. By creating equally portioned groups with kids from different
populations, this increases interdependence, decreases negative attitudes
and stigmas. Lastly, for people who do not have transportation to get to the

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programs you offer, one should be provided by the library. As a result, people
are not being excluding by this transportation barrier.
Again, thank you for letting me conduct this survey in your facility.
Best Regards,
Jenna Maisto