The Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Pursuant to the Accessibility Policy, the following sets out an action plan to ensure that library service at KFPL is relevant, inclusive and responsive for all, including persons with disabilities.

Training

In 2015 further training was provided to staff regarding accessible technologies. In 2016 and 2017 re-fresher AODA training for all staff was completed using the government sponsored Accessforward AODA training module.  All staff completed the Ontario Human Rights Commission AODA training module and the Human Rights 101 module.

Accessible Emergency Information

KFPL is committed to providing patrons with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request.  We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Kiosks

When procuring self-service kiosks, accessibility features will be incorporated into the procurement process.  Staff will be trained to assist patrons with accessibility features on all self-service kiosks.

Website

In 2012, KFPL launched a new website, which conforms with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).  The new site features BrowseAloud.  BrowseAloud makes websites more accessible and reader-friendly to those who require online reading support. It works by reading web pages aloud in a natural-sounding voice. The user simply hovers the mouse pointer over the text to hear it read aloud.

By 2021 the KFPL website and content will meet the requirements of the AODA at that time including but not limited to ensuring that the website meets the WCAG 2.0, Level AA criterion.

Employment

Employment policies and practices (e.g. Accommodation Policy) were reviewed to ensure compliance with the requirements of the AODA.

Building

KFPL is planning to meet the requirements of the AODA with regard to any retroactive legislative changes to codes, acts, regulations, and by-laws.In addition to meeting all current applicable codes, acts, regulations and by-laws, any capital repair or renovation projects will be reviewed and where possible accessibility enhancements will be included in the project planning.

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Shelagh Quigley at squigley@kfpl.ca. 

Accessible formats of this document will be made available upon request.

Appendix – Accessible Equipment, Services and Branches

At all Branches:

Accessible formats (available at all branches)

Many of the resources available at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library are suited to accessibility needs:

• Vision Enhancements
  
  • Downloadable E-audiobooks
  • Downloadable E-books – the settings can be adjusted with the majority of our downloadable e-books to suit personal preferences for text size and typeface
  • Books on CD
  • DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) books
  • Large Print Books
  • Descriptive video available on some DVD’s
• Hearing Enhancements
  
  • Many DVDs have the sub-title option
  • Many of our databases have text-to-speech capability
  • Audio induction loop system for meetings in Meet 1 of the Central Branch
• Digitized Materials
  
  • Digitized archival materials are available for early editions of the Kingston area newspapers and for some other resources from our Kingston Collection and Special Collections

Services (available at all branches)

Home Library Service is available for patrons who are housebound for three months or longer.  Depending on geographic location, availability of delivery drivers, and patron need, books will either be delivered once a month or sent via Canada Post should a patron be unable to visit a branch. 

The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides access to over 500,000 items in accessible formats. The collection is in both English and French.

Equipment

All patron computers are using Windows and have available the Ease of Access Magnify utility. Select computers at various branches have been equipped with additional applications and hardware for ease of accessibility. These stations are available at the following branches: Central, Calvin Park, Isabel Turner, Pittsburgh and Sydenham.

Accessibility Stations Provide:

• Table:
  • Motorized height adjustable
  • Adjusts between 27 – 39 inches in height
  • Large surface area

• Monitor:
  • 24 inch flat panel
  • LED

• Keyboard:
  • Large 36 point font characters
  • High contrast colours (Black on Yellow)
  • Interactive software buttons (Zoomtext Magnifier and Reader)

• Mouse:
  • 3 inch Trackball
  • Requires less fine motor to control
  • Large and high contrast buttons
  • Connection for secondary mouse

• Low Vision Software:
  • Zoomtext Magnifier and Reader
  • Functions are accessible through marked keyboard buttons
  • JAWS screen reader software
  • Magnifies the viewing area

Branch Features

Branch	Features
Calvin Park	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washrooms, height adjustable study table, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer station.
Central	Elevator, wheelchair accessible, fully accessible washrooms, multiple height service desks, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer stations, magnifier.
Isabel Turner	Elevator, wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washrooms (no automatic door opener), multiple height service desks, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer station.
Mountain Grove	Wheelchair accessible washroom, height adjustable service desk, accessible computer station.
Parham	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washroom, accessible computer station.
Plevna	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washroom (no automatic door opener).
Pittsburgh	Wheelchair accessible from Gore Road entrance, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer station.
Rideau Heights	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible family washroom, wheelchair accessible service desk, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer station.
Sharbot Lake	Accessible computer station.
Storrington	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washrooms.
Sydenham	Wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible washrooms, accessible family washroom, height adjustable self-serve check-out, accessible computer station.
Wolfe Island	Wheelchair accessible.