Academic Library Building Design: Resources for Planning: Accessibility / Universal Design

Universal Design (UD) is defined as “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” In the late 1990s a team of UD experts at NC State University developed a set of seven principles that are in general use today (Center for Universal Design, 1997). These are:

1. Equitable Use - The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in Use - The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and Intuitive Use - Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
4. Perceptible Information - The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
5. Tolerance for Error - The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort - The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use - Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

The Center for Universal Design (1997). The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. Retrieved from: https://universaldesign.ie/what-is-universal-design/the-7-principles/

Accessible and universal design for libraries is a growing area of scholarship. These articles provide advice, make an ethical case for universal design, and/or assess library accessibility for people with disabilities:

• Bostick, S. L. and Petrie, H. (2009). Designing libraries for the 21st century: Issues of accessibility and usability. ICORD 09: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Research into Design, 313-320. https://www.designsociety.org/publication/32295/
• Forrest, M. E. S. (2006). Towards an accessible academic library: Using the IFLA Checklist. IFLA Journal, 32(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035206063881
• Ilako C., Maceviciute E., Muwanguzi J. B. (2020) Creating inclusive library spaces for students with disabilities (SWDs): Perceptions and experiences. In: Sundqvist A., Berget G., Nolin J., Skjerdingstad K. (eds) Sustainable Digital Communities. iConference 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12051. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43687-2_39
• Irvall, B., & Nielsen, G. S. (2005). Access to libraries for persons with disabilities – A checklist (IFLA Professional Reports No. 89). The Hague: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/professional-report/89.pdf
• Khailova, L. (2005). South Carolinian public libraries’ ADA accommodations to persons with disabilities. Public Library Quarterly, 24(2): 19-46. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J118v24n02_02
• Pionke, J. J. (2017). Beyond ADA compliance: The library as a place for all. Urban Library Journal, 23(1): 1-17. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ulj/vol23/iss1/3
• Pionke, J. J. (2017). Toward holistic accessibility: narratives from functionally diverse patrons. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 57(1): 48-56. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=llf&AN=125571432&scope=site
• Riley, C., & Wales, B. (2002). Reality check: Barriers to accessibility in an ADA-compliant library. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 9(1): 41-48. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J106v09n01_05
• Roberson, C.A., Barefield, T., & Griffith, E. (2022). Students with disabilities and library services: Blending accommodation and universal design. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102531
• Spina, C. (2017). Libraries and universal design. Theological Librarianship, 10(1): 5-7. https://doi.org/10.31046/tl.v10i1.464

The Americans with Disabilities Act, first passed in 1990 and renewed with updates in 2010, sets baseline requirements for the accessibility of public buildings, including libraries. 

• US Department of Justice (n.d.) Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from: https://www.ada.gov/
• US Department of Justice (2010). 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Retrieved from: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAstandards.htm
• US Department of Justice (2010). Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Retrieved from: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/Guidance2010ADAstandards.htm

Several blog posts and LibGuides provide context-specific information on accessible design for libraries of all types:

• American Library Association (2019). Library equipment & facilities management: Access to facilities & ADA issues. https://libguides.ala.org/equip-facilities-mgt/access-ada
• Bostick, S. L., & Eigenbrodt, O. (2017). Universal design for library buildings. IFLA Library Buildings & Equipment Section Blog. https://iflalbes.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/universal-design-for-library-buildings/
• Burgstahler, S. (2022) Equal access: Universal design of libraries. A checklist for making campus services welcoming, accessible, and usable. DO-IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology. Seattle: University of Washington. https://www.washington.edu/doit/equal-access-universal-design-libraries

The following national centers and clearinghouses provide reliable and relevant information online for accessible, inclusive, and universal design:

• Institute for Human Centered Design: https://www.humancentereddesign.org/ 
• Project ENABLE (Expanding Non-discriminatory Access by Librarians Everywhere) from Syracuse University: https://projectenable.syr.edu
• University at Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA): http://idea.ap.buffalo.edu/

These highly recommended books are specific to universal design for library and/or college buildings:

• Booth, C. (2012). Making libraries accessible: adaptive design and assistive technology. Chicago, IL: ALA TechSource. 
• Burgstahler, S. E. (Ed.) (2015). Universal design in higher education: From principles to practice (2^nd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.
• Marrall, R. M. (2020). Developing a library accessibility plan: A practical guide for libraries. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 
• Spina, C. (2021). Creating inclusive libraries by applying universal design: A guide. LITA Guides. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
• Staines, G. (2012). Universal design: A practical guide to creating and re-creating interiors of academic libraries for teaching, learning, and research. Oxford, UK: Chandos.

Recent general-context books and reports on universal, inclusive, and accessible design:

• American Institute of Architects. (2021). Equitable development frameworks: an introduction & comparison for architects. Retrieved from: https://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/2021-10_AIA-Equitable-Development-Framework-Comparison-1.pdf
• Eikhaug, O., Gheerawo, R., Berg, M. S., Plumbe, C., Kunur, M., & Hoisaether, V. (2019). Innovating with people - Inclusive design and architecture. Oslo: Design and Architecture Norway.
• Hamraie, Aimie (2017). Building access: Universal design and the politics of disability. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
• Hendren, S. (2020). What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World. New York: Riverhead Books.
• Petrie, H. Darzentas, J., Wals, T., Swallow, D., Sandoval, L., Lewis, A., & Power, C. (Eds.) (2016) Universal design 2016: Learning from the past, designing for the future. Proceedings of the 3d International Conference on Universal Design (UD 2016), York, UK, August 21-25, 2016. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
• Preiser, W., & Smith, K. H. (2011). Universal design handbook. (2^nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Steinfeld, E., & Maisel, J. (2012). Universal design: Creating inclusive environments. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.