Libraries and Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, with additional amendments in 2009. This landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination based on disability and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations, including libraries.The primary government resource on the ADA the U.S. Department of Justice's ADA website.  Title II of the law applies to municipal and state-funded libraries. Title III of the law applies to businesses and non-profits, including association libraries.

In April 2024, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) issued its final rule related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The full rule is entitled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities and is published on the Federal Register website.

The final rule outlines requirements for state and local governments to meet in order to ensure that web content and mobile apps are accessible for people with disabilities. This rule applies to public libraries.

For more information, consider consulting the following resources from the DOJ:

• Small Entities Compliance Guide
• Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments

Additional resources related to web accessibility may be found on the Libraries and Accessibility: Website Accessibility page and the Towards Inclusive Accessibility in Libraries: Website Accessibility page.

Some resources about the ADA's effect on library buildings and services:

• ASGCLA, the Association of Specialized, Government and Cooperative Library Agencies, promotes a policy on Library Services for People with Disabilities.
• ALA's Accessibility Assembly provides toolkits for “Library Accessibility – What You Need to Know.” Each of the fifteen+ toolkits provide resources for working with special audiences, such as children with disabilities, staff with disabilities, blindness and low vision, learning differences, and mental health issues.
• The CLA ADA Committee maintains a page of resources and websites related to disabilities.

• ADA - Laws, Regulations and Standards  - An overview of the law and associated regulations from the U.S. Department of Justice
• ADA Guidance and Resources - A list of resources for people with disabilities, state and local governments, and businesses.
• New England ADA Center - A regional resource for information, guidance, and training related to ADA.
• ADA Coalition of Connecticut - devoted to educating individuals with disabilities, businesses, and governmental entities about the ADA.
• ADA Update: A Primer for State and Local Governments (2010) - A handbook produced by the U.S. Department of Justice.
• ADA Title II Action Guide - An overview of what Title II of ADA is and how to implement its requirements.
• The Institute for Human Centered Design in Boston can review your construction or renovation plans with an eye toward accessibility for all.
•  The ADA checklist for Existing Facilities, prepared by the ADA National Network is available in a variety of formats (word document, PDF, and plain text).  
• The ADA National Network also has Fact Sheets that focus on subjects of Effective Communication, Service Animals, Wheelchairs, Overview of 2010 Standards of Design, and Accessible Parking.
• The New England ADA Center tools and topics page has variety of publications and webinars related to the ADA. 
• The Department of Justice created an illustrated update for small businesses that includes much information applicable to libraries.

Library staff often have questions about service animals: What is a service animal versus comfort/emotional support animal versus therapy animal? Do I have to let them in? What can I say to the owner? What can I do if the animal behaves badly?

Here are some resources for learning more about service animals.

See also the Sample Policies/Procedures related to Service Animals, and be sure to update your library's policy.