Libraries and Accessibility

The pages and resources throughout this guide are intended to support libraries and library workers in their efforts to provide a welcoming and inclusive library experience for all members of their communities.

The American Library Association (ALA) notes on its Services to People with Disabilities: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights web page that libraries, "should be fully inclusive of all members of their community and strive to break down barriers to access. The library can play a transformational role in helping facilitate more complete participation in society by providing fully accessible resources and services."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 in 4 American adults (over 70 million) reported having a disability in 2022.  

The U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey estimates that 45% of American adults over the age of 75 have a disability.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2023 that "1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us."