We know that many libraries have great disabled access and accessible facilities for disabled visitors – please shout about what you’ve got so disabled people feel confident visiting your library!

Information

Information is key, please make sure that disabled people can find out about what you’ve got and how they can access it. If you have a website, please make sure that your disabled access information is easy to find. Please also list your information here on EuansGuide.com as we are a trusted source of information that disabled people already use to find out about disabled access. 

The most common things our community want to know before they will visit you include:

Parking & transport

How do they get to you? What are the nearerst accessible bus stops, train or tram stops? Do you have accessible parking nearby? Perhaps you have blue badge parking spaces outside your entrance? 

Getting in and getting around

Please make the entrance easily identifiable. If someone needs level access to enter your venue and they need to use a different entrance, please make sure that it is easy to find. And if they need to “do something” to gain access such as ring a bell to request a ramp, make sure that instructions are clear.

Inside the building, make sure that there is space to move around and tables that people can sit at or use with their wheelchair. Tables can also be useful as not everyone can hold books. Counter height is important and a dropped counter can be useful for wheelchair users. If your library has automated systems, not everyone may be able to use them so make sure that there is a member of the team available.

Make sure that any hearing loops are working and test them regularly. Likewise if there are any lifts or ramps to access parts of the building, know where they are and how they work.

Signage

Please ensure signage has a mixture of words and symbols as not everyone can read and not everyone’s first language is English. This goes for both external signage so that people know they are in the right place and internal signage so that people know where the toilet, lift or kids corner is.

What else can you do at your library?

We know libraries are not just about books. Do you have an events programme? Do you offer additional services just as replacement hearing aid batteries, travel concession cards, or blue badge parking services? How about photocopying, printing, hire of DVD’s and other paid services? Do you have a CCTV magnifier system? Do you have any space that your community can use? Make sure that these are accessible to all visitors.

Alternative Formats and Assistive Technology

Do you have large print books available? Do you offer e-books and magazines in digital formats? Can people borrow audio books and magazines to use with their own software? If your library uses digital books and apps tell people about them and offer support to get people started including how the accessibility features work. Can people use the computer in your library? And does it have any assistive technology such as magnifier, text to speech and high contrast? Make sure you can tell people about these services and show people how to use them. 

Toilets and Accessible Toilets

This is one of the most important things you can offer – in our latest access survey, 73% of respondents said they would avoid going somewhere if they knew it did not have an accessible loo and a further 42% said that if they could not find information about accessible toilet facilities they would avoid going. 

If you have an accessible toilet, make sure you know where it is, that it is kept free of unnecessary clutter (cleaning products, hoovers and highchairs are often culprits!) and if there is a key needed then make sure your team knows where it is. Ensure that there any emergency alarms are tested regularly and your team know what to do if this goes off. If the alarm is activated by a red emergency cord then make sure this is freely hanging to the floor, we can provide Red Cord Cards to help you with this.

People will not expect you to have a Changing Places toilet… But if you do, please shout about it! If you don’t have one, then it can be helpful to find out where your nearest one is so you can tell your visitors.

People

People can make or break the experience. Offer the same warm welcome to all your visitors. If you don’t understand something a person is saying or needs, just ask. If in doubt, don’t assume, simply ask. If, after asking, you don’t quite understand the answer, ask the question again in a different way. A regular check in with your visitors, and asking them if they have everything they need, can make people feel welcome. If any of your team use BSL or Makaton or speak different languages, let your visitors know. 

Winter 2022

If your library is operating as a Warm Bank this winter, it is even more imperative that you are telling people about your disabled access. Check out our guidance for making warm banks more accessible.