axistive: Assistive Technology News Portal (USA)
A US based site that provides news, articles, product reviews and product and vendor information of assistive technology devices.
[link]
British Fire Protection Systems Association (UK)
The Trade Association that represents 95% of UK manufacturers and installers of Fire Alarm and Fixed Gaseous Extinguishing systems.
[link]
Centre for Accessible Environments (UK)
An information provider and a forum for collaborative dialogue between providers and users on how the built environment can best be made or modified to achieve inclusion by design.
[link]
Disability Awareness Training for Libraries (UK)
Produced by The Open Rose Group, which comprises Library staff involved in supporting users with disabilities at eight Yorkshire universities, this film and supporting materials are for use in Libraries to assist staff training on disability issues and are available to purchase.
[link]
Disability Rights Commission (UK)
An independent body established in April 2000 by Act of Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
[link]
Gender Equality Duty (UK)
From 6 April 2007 UK public authorities are subject to a new Gender Equality Duty. A short guide has been prepared by CyMAL, highlighting how it may affect museums archives and libraries - e.g. in relation to accessible buildings, providing pushchair space etc.
[link]
Inclusive Design (UK)
Inclusive design is about ensuring that environments, products, services and interfaces work for people of all ages and abilities. Many people are interested in this, but there is no ready source of information, methods, tools and examples to help them achieve it. This website aims to plug that gap by bringing together new and existing information and making it accessible via a single user-friendly interface.
[link]
Library Access (UK)
Examples of best practice in a whole host of areas, including consultation;
policy formation and planning; disability audits; inclusive design; training; marketing,
and quality control. A joint initiative (2003) between the Library Council Ireland and The Equality Authority. The booklet
can be ordered free of charge or downloaded as a PDF or RTF document.
See also Making Access Happen [link]
Low literacy levels and accessibility (UK)
The Literacy Trust have devised a chart that sets out the main elements to be considered in relation to library accessibility. They have also produced
case studies on how libraries are developing partnerships to make the library more accessible for adults with low literacy levels.
[link]
Making Access Happen (UK)
Making Access Happen explores practical initiatives to reasonably accommodate library
users with disabilities. A joint initiative (2005) between the Library Council Ireland and The Equality Authority. The booklet
can be ordered free of charge or downloaded as a PDF or RTF document. See also
Library Access [link]
Museums and Art Galleries: Making Existing Buildings Accessible (UK)
Confronts the dilemmas faced in making historic buildings more inclusive in response to contemporary access standards and regulations.
With illustrations, case studies and research is generates a set of guidelines specific to museums and art galleries.
Cave, A., RIBA Publishing, January 2007, £35.00 [book]
NEWThe Vital Link (UK)
The Vital Link is run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The improvement framework outlines the main elements to be considered in relation to library accessibility. [link]