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Cornell University Library

Task Force on Services for the Disabled

Date: 7 May 1998

Place: Room 703 Olin

Time: 3:30 - 4:15pm

Members: Stuart Basefsky (Chair), Carmen Blankenship, Janet Gillespie, Nan Hyland, Katie Margolis (all present)

The Task Force on Services to the Disabled held its first meeting. The mission of this Task Force was presented by Ross Atkinson. The charge includes, "...review, update and supplement CUL policy on the provision of library service to users with ... disabilities." Recommendations and guidelines from the task force should be "...flexible enough that it can be accepted and effected by all CUL units." The task force was further instructed to "...work closely with the Cornell Office of Equal Opportunity, specifically Joan Fisher" and to develop guidelines in compliance with current State and Federal requirements.

The recommendations and guidelines should be completed by September 1, 1998. The Task Force will report to PSEC.

Following the presentation of the mission, the task force members were handed "Standards for Accessible Facilities" (Libraries and Signage), contact information for both Joan Fisher and Susanne Bruyere (the two experts on disability issues on campus with whom we are encouraged to consult), and a brochure on GLADNET (Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and Training).

The task force then set the next meeting for Friday, May 15, 1998, from 3-4pm, inviting Joan Fisher to present her perspectives and understanding of the issues. In preparation for the meeting, task force members identified and took individual responsibility for one of six areas with which they were to acquaint themselves and possibly delve into for greater detail at a later date.These areas included:

1. Library Kits which may be available from various library associations (Katie).
2. Cornell Offices which have a role (realized or potential) in disability issues and communication (Janet).
3. Literature searches for library services to the disabled in higher education including ERIC and other databases (Nan).
4. Requirements of New York and Federal Laws with respect to these services and contact persons with responsibility for promulgating and enforcing regulations (Stuart).
5. Associations concerned with disabilities in general or specific disabilities and their guidelines or recommendations, if any (Carmen)
6. Units and Schools and Colleges of Cornell, policies already in place (to be decided)

Discussion resulted in several items to be communicated to the CUL community.

1. COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME FROM ANYONE IN THE CUL SYSTEM (or anywhere else for that matter)
2. ALL LIBRARY UNITS WILL BE ASKED FOR THEIR DISABILITY POLICIES SOON -- please prepare or send them to the task force before being asked.
3. NEW TECHNOLOGIES NEED TO BE MONITORED FOR THEIR APPLICATION TO SERVICING THE DISABLED -- distance learning technology may mitigate the need for some otherwise special services.

Send all communications to Stuart Basefsky (smb6@cornell.edu). Please place in the subject matter the word DISABLED so that the e-mail message can be dealt with appropriately.

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rev. 6/2/98 peo