Scope
This module can be completed by an individual member of staff based on one user profile but it would be equally valuable for a team activity with team members choosing to work on different user profiles. This module is suitable for all library staff but we recommend discussion with your manager in selecting your tasks.
Learning Objective
To design, implement and evaluate new publicity, marketing and advocacy materials.
Knowledge and understanding
- Increase in knowledge and awareness of the needs of a range of disabled users
Skills
- Improved advocacy skills by raising the profile of your services for disabled people at all levels
- Improved skills in developing, promoting and marketing your service as widely as possible to disabled people
- Improved skills in planning and creating displays and promotions for disabled people
Attitudes and values
- Demonstrating creativity, enjoyment, inspiration and innovation in responding to the needs of disabled users
- Demonstrating flexibility in responding to change and to the differing needs of disabled users
- Demonstrating a good positive image of services for disabled users
- 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
Learning Activity
This learning activity requires you to select an existing example of publicity, marketing or advocacy materials which have had an impact in increasing the number of library users accessing specific services and create new materials easily accessed by at least two groups of library users with different disabilities.
Task 1
Timings needed for activity
- Reading and preparation 2- 4 hrs
- Interviewing disabled user 1-2 hrs
- Summarizing requirements 1 hr
Task 2
Timings needed for activity
- Planning your marketing activity 2 hrs
Task 3
Timings needed for activity
- Evaluating your marketing activity 1 hr
Links to some further sources of information and support
Adaptive technologies in public libraries
Paper from the Networked Services Policy Task Group.
British Deaf Association (BDA) Sign Community Website
The largest Deaf organization in the UK run by deaf people, working for a society where Sign Language users have the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities and quality of life as everyone else.
Desktop Publishing
Designing for the Vision-Impaired: articles & resources.
Disability Rights Commission Service Provision Information Pages
Step by step guide to what you should do, why and how.
Easy Info
Information for All guides: making information easier for people with learning difficulties, bringing people together, finding out about good ways of working and sharing ideas: for everyone working with people with learning difficulties and for people with learning difficulties themselves.
Libraries and Learning Centres Good Practice Guide
The Disability Discrimination Act Part 4 Guide.
Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA )
Disability web pages including Disability Portfolio (12 guides on how best to meet the needs of disabled people as users and staff in museums, archives and libraries), Access Self Assessment Toolkit and other key documents.
National Evaluation of the Children's Fund
Various projects on access, communication and participation for children with disabilities.
Web Accessibility Initiative
Pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.