May 26-June 1 is National AccessAbility Week. National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities, highlight the work of people, organizations and communities that are removing barriers and reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, more inclusive Canada.
Accessibility at the Library
The Barrie Public Library is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and by meeting the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the City of Barrie’s Accessibility Plan.
Accessible Building Features
- Our Downtown Branch has a button-operated passenger elevator. Our Painswick Branch is all one level.
- Most book drops are accessible height.
- Distance between most book shelves in both branches accommodates minimum aisle widths per accessibility standards.
- Service desks are accessible to people who use a wheelchair or scooter. Chairs are available for patrons to use at all service desks.
- Both branches have automatic sliding doors and are wheelchair accessible.
- Both branches have accessible washrooms.
- Self-check stations are wheelchair accessible.
- Persons with disabilities are welcomed to use personal assistive devices, registered service animals and/or support persons in the library.
Resources At The Library
Many of the resources available at the Barrie Public Library are suited to accessibility needs:
- Audiobooks (books on CD)
- eAudiobooks and eBooks (downloadable): text size can be adjusted with the majority of our downloadable eBooks
- DAISY books (audiobooks played with a DAISY reader) are available at our Downtown Branch to patrons who cannot use print materials. Patrons must either self-declare and register with Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), or have a current CNIB card. Library staff can help patrons register in person or by telephone.
- Large print books
- C-Pen Reader Pens
- Sensory Support Kits
- CBC Corner Multimedia Resources