Forum on Library Services for People with Disabilities
Recommendations
That the National Information and Library Service (NILS) refer the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) standard for the production of digital talking books to the appropriate standards body for possible adoption as an Australian standard. The National Library of Australia will identify the appropriate body and report back to NILS. Target date: Dec 2002
That the National Information and Library Service (NILS) act as a central point for advice and information about the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) standard. Target date: ongoing
That the National Library of Australia and the Australian Braille Authority refer the Unified English Braille Code to the appropriate standards body for possible adoption as an Australian standard (in order to facilitate the exchange of Braille information resources). Target date: Sept 2002
That the National Library of Australia continue to promote the addition of records for materials in alternative formats to the National Bibliographic Database, and encourage the appropriate identification of such materials in library catalogues throughout Australia. Target date: Jun 2002
That the National Library of Australia and the Copyright Agency Limited investigate the setting up of a national database of information about master copies of resources converted to digital format for the production of alternative formats. Target date: Dec 2002
That the Copyright Agency Limited work with disability organisations and members of the Australian Publishers Association to develop a code of practice for fair dealing on materials for library users with disabilities, and convene a working party to discuss the simplification of copyright compliance for services to these users. The working party should include representatives of the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee, the Australian Library and Information Association and the National Library of Australia. Target date: Sept 2002
That the issue of services to indigenous library users with disabilities be referred to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Libraries Resources Network (ATSILRN) by the National Library of Australia, with a request for a paper on this issue to be included in the program for their next conference. This issue will also be brought to the attention of the National Indigenous Disability Network. Target date: Jun 2002
That the National Library of Australia, the Council of Australian University Librarians and the Council of Australian State Libraries publicise the need for library catalogues on the web to be accessible to people with disabilities to at Least Level A (existing catalogues) or Level AA (new catalogues), as specified by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Target date: Jun 2002
That the National Library of Australia work with Vision Australia to scope a pilot project to test the feasibility of receiving publications in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. Target date: Sept 2002
That the Australian Library and Information Association investigate the coverage of disability-related issues in current library and information management courses. Target date: July 2002. Result
That the National Library of Australia provide links from the Australian Libraries Gateway (ALG) to web accessibility guidelines. Target date: June 2002
That a list of training providers who can deliver disability awareness training be developed and promulgated. The State Library of New South Wales to lead on this. Target date Sept 2002
Agreed actions
The National Library of Australia and the Australian Association of the Deaf will promote the availability of the captioned videos in the National Library's collection. Target date: Jun 2002
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will provide assistance in the development of Disability Action Plans and implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act. Target date: ongoing
The Australian Association of the Deaf will assist in awareness training for library staff. Target date: ongoing.
Contact details are:
Australian Association of the Deaf
Suite 513, 149 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Voice: 02 9286
3944
TTY: 02 9286 3933
Fax: 02 9286 3955
