|
|
Disability Services Policy
- Objectives
- The Chalmer Davee Library, and its various units, will insure that library users with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations in their use of the Library.
- All Chalmer Davee Library policies and procedures must comply with the fundamental principles of nondiscrimination and accommodation in academic programs which are set forth in Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and with Regent Policy 14-10 (formerly 96-6) [University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Policy on Individuals with Disabilities] adopted 12/6/96 (Appendix A)
- The Chalmer Davee Library will adhere to current laws and System policies so that an otherwise qualified individual with a disability may not, on the basis of their disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, nor otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any library program, activity, or service.
- Definitions
- Regent Policy 14-10 defines a disability with respect to an individual:
- A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person's major life activities;
- A history of such an impairment; or
- Being regarded as having such an impairment.
- University affiliated persons are defined as:
- Students who are currently enrolled or are enrolled for the next semester;
- Current UW-River Falls faculty and staff;
- Retired faculty and staff.
- A qualified individual with a disability is someone who (with or without accommodations) meets the essential eligibility requirements
for participating in programs, services and activities provided by the Library.
- Essential Eligibility Requirement means the academic or other technical standards required for admission to or participation in the University’s programs, services, or activities which an individual must be able to meet with or without accommodation. (Regent Policy 14-10).
- Accommodations are defined as reasonable modifications or adjustments to library policies, services, activities, or processes that enable a person with disabilities to participate fully in library research, programs, activities and services.
- General Access
- Each library service program or activity will be readily accessible and usable by qualified individuals with disabilities.
- The international symbol for accessibility will be posted at each accessible entrance to the library.
- Service Guidelines
- The Library will insure that its policies and procedures do not discriminate, nor have the effect of discriminating, against qualified
persons with disabilities.
- The Library will serve library users with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations to facilitate the use of the Library and its
collections.
- The Library will insure that interested persons may obtain information as to the existence and location of accessible services, activities,
facilities and programs.
- Within its budget limitations, the Library will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford a qualified individual
with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy, the benefits of the Library’s services.
- An eligible individual’s expressed choice of the means to receive service, accommodation or communication will be given primary
consideration by the Library.
- The Library reserves the right to select the means of accommodation.
- The Library will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability, nor any group of individuals with disabilities, to
cover the costs of accommodation.
- The Library will provide training for library staff so that they may provide better service to library users with disabilities.
- Training programs will be designed to develop awareness and understanding of the needs of individuals with disabilities and with legal
compliance issues.
- Training will also provide information about special library services and accommodations, and campus services that are available to qualified
library users with disabilities.
- The Library will have a designated Library Disability Services Coordinator, who will be well informed and able to provide information to the
public and to the Library staff about reasonable accommodations available to library users with disabilities. The Coordinator will provide information
about procedures available to resolve problems and grievances.
- Reasonable accommodations will be provided to non-University affiliated library users with disabilities within existing service parameters,
as stated in Library Policies.
- Library staff will not act as an attendant, nor provide services of a personal nature.
- Assistance animals are permitted in the Library.
- Each library user with disabilities will be accorded complete confidentiality. Information pertaining to the type of disability, etc. will not be discussed, nor disclosed, except within a professional context.
- The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator maintains a grievance procedure for resolution of complaints related to disability services.
- Services Available for Library Users With Disabilities
- Individualized library orientation and individualized bibliographic instruction.
- Additional assistance for users with disabilities may include but are not limited to:
- Assistance with the use of the online catalog, electronic resources, with other information resources.
- Retrieval of materials while the user waits.
- Accepting telephone or electronic requests to check the online catalog to for material availability, checking shelves and placing materials on short term hold.
- Assisting with renewing or recalling materials.
- Modifying lending rules for print and audio-visual materials on an individual basis. Lending rule modifications may only be done by a supervisor, see section VI-B.
- Photocopying a limited number of pages from books, journals, and microform materials at standard patron costs.
- Assisting with preparation of Interlibrary Loan requests.
- Granting of proxy privileges, which authorize a specified person to borrow library materials for a library user with disabilities.
- Textbook Services serves only current students and faculty. Services mentioned in section V-B are applicable to Textbook Services.
- Additionally services may include working cooperatively with Disability Services to provide services to disabled students. Examples of common services are lending textbooks for taping and in obtaining large print reproductions.
- Working with Human Resources to accommodate faculty needs.
- Rule modifications and special arrangements shall conform to Textbook Services Policies.
- The Library currently provides the following disabilities accessible facilities and equipment:
- Accessible entrances and restrooms
- Accessible check-out counters
- Elevator access to all levels
- Ramp access to all Library entrances
- Braille numbering and lettering designating restrooms, elevators, and room numbers
- Text enlarger
- Accessible study tables and work stations on all levels
- Large monitor work station in the reference area
- Accessible desk for bibliographic instruction
- Study rooms with equipment for listening to recorded materials
- Requesting Accommodations
- Library users with disabilities have a right to request accommodations when current library services do not meet their needs.
- Every effort will be made to provide services for library users with disabilities at the time the request is made. However, some services for library users with disabilities may need to be delayed or scheduled in advance or require full time staff with authorization to make rule modifications.
- The Library Disability Services Coordinator may ask to meet with the person making the request for accommodation to gather additional information, to discuss library services that are available for library users with disabilities, as outlined in Section V, and to refer student petitioners to Disability Services in the Academic Success Center.
- If a request cannot be accommodated under the provisions outlined in section V, the library user may complete the Accommodation Request Form, Chalmer Davee Library (See Appendix B.) Or requests may be submitted verbally or via email, following the basic format of the form. All requests for accommodation will be submitted to the Library Disability Services Coordinator.
- Information contained in the request is confidential and will not be discussed, nor disclosed, except within a professional context.
- The completed request for accommodation form will be handled as follows:
- Student requests will be forwarded to the University Disability Services Coordinator.
- Students with disabilities should contact the Disabilities Services Office in the Academic Success Center, for information on their services and policies.
- Faculty and staff requests will be forward to Human Resources.
- All other requests, including those from retired faculty and staff, will be forwarded to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
- The Library Disability Services Coordinator will send a letter to the petitioner stating that the Accommodation Request Form has been forwarded to the appropriate office. (See Appendix C.)
- The Library Disability Services Coordinator will monitor requests until a decision is reached by the appropriate office. The Library Disability Services Coordinator will notify Library staff of the decision, describe the services to be provided, monitor the acquisition of equipment, if necessary, and explain any modifications in policy and procedure that may be required.
- The Library Disability Services Coordinator will contact the petitioner in writing confirming a decision. When an accommodation is being offered the communication will confirm the details of the accommodation.
- Use of this procedure does not limit an individual's pursuit of other remedies.
- Reviewing and Updating the Library Disability Services Policies
- Policies will be reviewed every five years, and when new library services are implemented.
- Policies will be reviewed and updated by the Library Director and Library Disability Services Coordinator.
Please Note: Parking is not controlled by the Library; see Parking Rules, Regulations and General Information, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Physically Challenged Parking.
Appendix A
Regent Policy 14-10
Appendix B
Accommodation Request Form
Chalmer Davee Library
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Status: (Please check one)
Currently Enrolled Student____
Student to Be Enrolled Next Semester___
Current University Employee____
Retired Faculty or Staff_____
Non-University Affiliated Library User____
I have the following disability:
I request the following accommodation(s):
(Continue on Reverse, or on a separate sheet, if needed.)
If a student, are you self-identified with Disability Services
in the Academic Success Center? Yes____ No____
If a current staff/faculty member, are you self identified with the Office
of Equity and Compliance?
Yes____ No____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Received by the Library Disability Services Coordinator:
Date Forwarded to the Appropriate Office:
Date Resolved:
Resolution: (Continue on Reverse, or on a separate sheet, if needed)
Appendix C
Chalmer Davee Library
Disability Services Coordinator
715-425-3799
Date:
Dear ____________:
Your request for accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities
Act has been forwarded to_____________ for a decision. This office
is located in_________________________. The phone number is_______________.
______________will be reviewing your request. He/she will contact
you to schedule a meeting, or you may contact __________if you have
questions, or need more information. Thank you.
Sincerely,
_________________
Chalmer Davee Library Disability Services Coordinator
Chalmer Davee Library
Disability Services Policy
Approved March 2, 2001
Revised October 7, 2008
|
