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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1992
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED371745 |
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Table of Contents:
- Rural Public Libraries-A Resource for the Disabled. Special "Breaking New Ground" Technical Report. Plowshares No. 15. Deason, Melissa And Others Access to Information Accessibility (for Disabled) Check Lists Cost Effectiveness Disabilities Information Dissemination Library Circulation Library Facilities Library Networks Library Role Library Services Library Surveys Literature Reviews Rural Areas Rural Population Shared Library Resources User Needs (Information) Users (Information) The role that rural libraries could have in increasing the awareness level of disability issues in their communities and in expanding opportunities for the disabled was studied in a survey of 401 rural Indiana and Iowa libraries. A review of the literature associated with rural rehabilitation services suggests that the two crucial barriers to the delivery of such services are awareness of and access to disability-related information. A combined return rate of 49.1% indicated that many rural libraries serve a number of clients from farms and ranches and that they generally serve a small population, with relatively few books in circulation. Slightly over 87% were associated with a Library Network System that allows sharing of resources, a mechanism that can increase the information available without increasing costs. Just under 59% of these rural libraries were wheelchair accessible and only 25% reported plans to improve accessibility. Most offered little in the way of services or materials for the disabled. While rural libraries in Iowa and Indiana do not appear to be meeting the needs of the disabled at present, they do have the potential, primarily through resource sharing, to become places where the rural disabled can gain access to new information. An accessibility checklist is attached. (SLD)