Special resources and services provided to the disabled people by public libraries in the Western Province in Sri Lanka
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The document discusses the special resources and services offered to disabled individuals by public libraries in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for better accessibility and resources. It identifies the high unemployment rate among disabled people and emphasizes the role of public libraries as gateways to knowledge and lifelong learning if made barrier-free. Recommendations include improving staff attitudes, training, and providing specific aids to enhance library services for disabled patrons.
Special resources and services provided to the disabled people by public libraries in the Western Province in Sri Lanka
- 1. Special resources and services provided to the disabled people by public libraries in the Western Province S.M.V.N.K.S. Wickramasinghe kumariwick@gmail.com
- 2. ¡°I have a Disability yes that's true, but all that really means is I may have to take a slightly different path than you.¡± Robert Michael Hensel (A Guinness World Records holder for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles) (http://roberthensel.webs.com/myquotes.htm)
- 3. Objectives ? To identify the special services and resources catering the disabled people by public libraries in Western Province
- 4. Introduction ? ¡°disability is a restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range consider normal for a human being¡± (WHO 1980 ) ? ¡° Any person who, as a result of any deficiency in his physical or mental capabilities, whether congenital or not, is unable by himself to ensure for himself, wholly or partly, the necessities of life.¡± (Sri Lanka Ministry of Social Welfare 2003)
- 5. ? Disability in Seeing Totally Blind One eye blind Weak vision ? Disability in Hearing/Speaking Dumb; Deaf; Dumb and Deaf; Speaking difficulties ? Disability in Hands Loss of one hand including elbow Loss of both hands including elbows Loss of one hand below elbows Loss of both hands below elbows Paralysis of one hand Paralysis of both hands Other disability in one hand Other disability in both hands ? Disability in Legs Loss of one legs including knee Loss of both legs including knees Loss of one leg below knee Loss of both legs below knees Paralysis of one leg Paralysis of both legs Other disability in one leg Other disability in both legs ? Other Physical Disability Reference: 2001 Census of Population and Housing in Sri Lanka
- 6. Rationale of the study ? In Sri Lanka 83.9% of the disabled population are unemployed ? Highest percentage of employed has engaged in elementary occupations ? 31.7% have not attended school (Department of Census and Statistics 2003)
- 7. How can we give them quality of life through knowledge and capacity building? Will Public Libraries be a possible answer?
- 8. UNESCO Public library manifesto ? ¡°The public library is the local gateway to knowledge and provides a basic condition for life long learning, independent decision making and cultural development of the individual and social groups¡± (UNESCO 2001)
- 9. ? Public libraries are excellent network of resources for any individual provided that they are barrier free and equipped with special resources
- 10. Study Sample Graph 4.1: Distribution of public libraries in each district in the Western province (National Library and Documentaion Service Board, www.natlib.lk) n=14 (including National Library) (4) (7) (2)
- 11. Methodology ? Literature Review ¨C Identify the resources and services ? Primary data collection ¨C Survey method ? Questionnaire ¨C Distributed to librarians ¨C 1 returned (99% success rate)
- 12. A checklist for the public libraries ? Physical access ? Media formats ? Service and communication ? (Irvall and Nielsen, 2005)
- 13. Findings Facility Number of libraries Location closer to public transport 13 Ramp 2 Sufficient shelf space 6 Standard tables and chairs 6 Internationally recognized signs 4 Open door 13 Mobile service 2 Accessibility
- 14. The special resources Talking books Large print books Braille books Easy to read books Videos DVD Books with subtitles or sign language (IFLA Standing Committee of Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons (LSDP))
- 15. Availability of special resources in libraries Type of material Number of libraries Brail books 2 Talking books 4 Large Print books 4 Audio Visual media 4
- 16. Conclusion ? Library resources and services allocated to the disabled people are insufficient in public libraries in Western Province
- 17. Recommendations ? Staff Attitude ? Staff training ? Simple reading aids (magnifying glasses) ? Access to catalogues ? Extension services
- 18. Persons with disabilities have a significant positive impact on society, and their contributions can be even greater if we remove barriers to their participation. With more than one billion persons with disabilities in our world today, this is more important than ever. ? UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, 3?December?2012?¨C? on?International?Day?of?Persons?with?Disabilities (www.un.org)
- 19. Are we ready to remove the barriers?
- 20. Thank you