The Information and Communications Standards under the AODA and the Information and Communication Standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require organizations to make information and communication accessible to people with disabilities. Moreover, both standards require many of the same processes and practices to ensure accessibility. However, there are many important differences between the standards. The third review of the AODA recommends that the Ontario government should coordinate with other provinces and the federal government to ensure that accessibility laws are consistent across Canada. Therefore, requirements in the AODA may one day change to align with mandates under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. In this article, we will explore accessibility requirements for public libraries in Ontario and Manitoba.
Accessibility Requirements for Public Libraries in Ontario and Manitoba
The AODA’s Information and Communication Standards and the Accessible Information and Communication Standard of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require public libraries to notify the public about any accessible materials they have.
Under Ontario’s standards, library boards must provide information about available accessible resources, upon request. In other words, a person can request a list of all the library’s material that already exists in accessible formats. Moreover, library boards must provide this list of accessible resources using communication supports or accessible formats, upon request. However, Ontario’s standards do not require libraries to acquire resources in accessible formats, such as books in:
- Braille
- Large print
- Audio
- E-books that comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
or resources that include communication supports, such as movies with:
In contrast, under Manitoba’s standard, all requirements about accessible formats and communication supports apply explicitly to public library resources. In other words, someone can request to receive an accessible version of any resource in a public library. Librarians must then consult with the person making the request, and provide a copy of the resource using a format or support that takes the client’s disability into account.
However, a library does not need to provide an accessible resource if:
- It is not technically feasible to convert the resource
- Technology for converting the resource is not readily available
- The library does not have direct control over the resource
- The resource is part of a product label
- Converting the resource would cause the library undue hardship
As a result, public libraries in Manitoba may develop a substantial catalogue of accessible resources.