Module 3: Assessing your stock, resources and technology Scope This module can be completed by an individual member of staff or by staff working in pairs. This module is particularly suitable for staff with budget responsibilities and senior managers. Learning Objective To develop skills and use tools to audit and improve your stock and resources. Generic Learning Outcomes covered by this module Complete the Learning Needs Analysis Form to identify your specific learning needs. Knowledge and understanding - Increase in knowledge and awareness of the needs of a range of disabled users
- Increase in knowledge of range of ways in which information can be organised and means of access for disabled people
Skills - Improved management skills in procuring and managing resources (including buildings, vehicles, budgets, stock, technology and all resources) needed to support disabled users
- Improved management skills in auditing and assessing all aspects of your service against the needs of disabled people
Attitudes and values - Demonstrating interest in and empathy with disabled people and in meeting their needs as individuals
- Demonstrating a willingness to develop and take responsibility for own learning to support disabled users
- Demonstrating creativity, enjoyment, inspiration and innovation in responding to the needs of disabled users
Learning Activity You need to determine the scope of your planned audit which can range from employing consultants to carry out a full service audit or a more limited audit with a specific focus perhaps carried out by staff. This module requires you to undertake an initial audit of your service against the needs of disabled people. You may work alone or in pairs on this task. You may choose to audit your whole service, a particular service point or a particular section e.g. your local history service, the reference service or your lending service. You may also want to undertake the audit with a particular disability in mind e.g. visual impairment or learning difficulty. Once you have completed your audit you should prioritise what improvements you need to make and use the Action Planning Tool to help you plan, pace and monitor these improvements. If you want to explore further some of the policy and management issues raised in this module look at Module 8 - Developing your Access Policies and Plans. Task 1 Timings needed for activity Task 2 Timings needed for activity Task 3 Timings needed for activity Self Assessment Please now use the Self Assessment Form to check your progress. Links to some further sources of information and support Adaptive technologies in public libraries Paper from the Networked Services Policy Task Group. British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) UK's national umbrella organisation of the worldwide Disabled People's Movement, democratically set up by disabled people themselves to represent their interests at the national level. CLAUD List of links to external websites and to e-mailing lists and newsgroups which may be relevant to people with an interest in accessibility issues. DEMOS Online Materials for Staff Disability Awareness. Disability Experts Museums, Libraries and Archives database disability trainers, auditors and consultants with experience or an interest in working with museums, archives and libraries. Disability Rights Commission Disability rights, Disability Law, Disability access information, Disability Service Provision, Libraries and Learning Centres Good Practice Guide. Museums, Libraries & Archives and the DDA 1995 SWMLAC (2003) an overview of the disability legislation and further sources of advice, information and support. RevealWeb Source of information in a range of accessible formats: resource catalogue, and register of suppliers. SOLON Survey of provision for disabled users of museums, archives and libraries. Carried out in 2001. TECHDIS Aims to enhance provision for disabled students and staff in higher, further and specialist education and adult and community learning, through the use of technology. Databases include the former National Internet Accessibility Database (NIAD) including information about products to help disabled people. Writing for the Web An Information Paper from the NOF Technical Advisory Service including audiences experiencing barriers to the web, assessing readability, writing for disabled people. STV/Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Best Practice Manual Information and guidance for library services for visually impaired people. Back to top
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on preparing to carry out an audit