Accessibility of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library for Students with Disabilities: An Evaluation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15802/unilib/2024_318855Keywords:
library service, people with disabilities, academic libraryAbstract
Objective. This research aims to identify the accessibility of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library for users with disabilities to uncover the gap between the standard of library services for people with disabilities and the condition of the library to support an accessible environment. Methods. This research applies qualitative methods to explore the accessibility of library services for users with disabilities using the IFLA checklist, a standard for providing library services for people with disabilities consisting of 3 main areas; physical access, media format, and service and communication. Results. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library has met the most of criteria for providing services for users with disabilities. Physical access covering the area outside the library, entry to the library and access to library collections and services, is largely in accordance with the standard. However, the absence of an elevator prevents users with wheelchairs from accessing to upper floor in which the library collections are stored which means that access to library collections is hindered. To address this problem, the library provides the Difable Corner, a department for users of all types of disabilities. The research also found that for library collections, the library provides more for the blind, while for the deaf it is still not maximized. Therefore, the library, in collaboration with the Center for Disabilities Service provides volunteers to students for whom inclusion requirements have not yet been met. Conclusion. Being under the parent institution that promotes inclusive value requires UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library to provide an inclusive environment that welcomes all users regardless of their abilities. The library has made some effort to fulfill the standards for providing a library for the disabled. The gap between ideal standards and real conditions in the library related to accessibility for the disabled can be taken into consideration to improve inclusive-based library services.
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