Students with disabilities and library services: Blending accommodation and universal design

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a survey that was distributed to students with disabilities at the University of Georgia to gain insight into their experience with the university's libraries. Key findings include: students with disabilities cite as barriers many of the same things that the student body in general cites as annoyances, in-class instruction from a librarian increases use of library services and resources, and students with disabilities ask classmates and friends for research help more often than they ask librarians. Grounded in real-world practice and the literature on both library engagement and disability studies, recommendations for inclusive libraries are presented that incorporate Universal Design and accommodations, viewing inclusion as an ongoing action rather than a fixed state that can be achieved.