Tillgänglighet på folkbibliotek för dyslektiker och synskadade
The aim of this Masters thesis is to examine the accessibility in public libraries for persons with dyslexia and visually impaired persons. In order to do this, library services, information and attitudes have been studied. Data have been collected through interviews and studies of documents, in particular guidelines for library service to disabled persons. The theoretical starting point of the analysis is Professor Michael Bucklands different aspects of access to information. He discusses six types of barriers that must be overcome if access is to be achieved. The analysis is based on five of these barriers. Some adjustments to the barriers are discussed with regard to the groups of users that are the focus of this study. The results show that when accessibility to public library service is seen as a whole it is difficult to determine whether it is better for persons with dyslexia or for visually impaired persons. There exist barriers for both groups but the technical development in recent years seems to have increased the accessibility for both groups. There are, however, some aspects of accessibility where the barriers appear to be greater for persons with dyslexia. The most apparent example in this study is the feeling of discomfort that many of them experience when visiting a library.