National Library of New Zealand

New Zealand Disability Strategy Implementation Work Plan. 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007

Introduction
Level 1 Activities: Universal responsiveness to disability issues
Level 2 Activities: Disability perspective included in ordinay work
Level 3 Activities: key Disability focused work your agency is leading
1. National Library Print Disabilities Strategy

Introduction

National Library aims enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand by collecting and preserving documents and by making them accessible for all the people of New Zealand.

The Library’s major building is in Wellington . Here, people can view every New Zealand publication - books, newspapers, maps, music scores, journals and magazines. They can listen to and view CDs, DVDs and videos. They can research their family histories – using physical records or online indexes. There are also reference and research collections – general reference resources, music and children’s literature. The Library mounts exhibitions based on its collections, and hosts events related to our culture and heritage.

The Library provides Internet based services from the Wellington site – including databases showing references for what it and other libraries in New Zealand contain, New Zealand art and music pictures and sounds, and on-line librarian services.

Other sites around the country distribute library resources to schools and advise them on library development. The Palmerston North site provides print materials for people with print disabilities.

Staff at the National Library work to collect, catalogue, store, preserve and distribute documents and mount exhibitions and events. They also provide policy advice to government and advice to libraries around New Zealand.

Government agencies have a responsibility to ensure their policies are effective for disabled people. The Library will work to ensure equity for the diversity of people with disabilities is realised. It will consider how opportunities can be maximised for people with disabilities and how barriers to participation and independence can be removed, by collaborating with people with disabilities and other agencies.

The Library is aware of New Zealand’s changing demographics - the move towards a more diverse ethnic and cultural mix, the aging of the population etc – and is taking these trends into consideration for its planning for the next ten years. During 2006-7, the National Library will develop a strategic direction for the next ten years. It has identified seven strategic priorities – access, collections and heritage, digital services, Maori, relationships, developing a culture of learning and ensuring buildings meet access, storage and service needs. Disability issues will be considered within each priority area. This will mean the Library will consider how it can: improve public awareness of disability and rights, and promote leadership of people with disabilities; build the organisation’s knowledge to address disabilities issues; and improve people’s participation in, and access to, its services.

The Library’s head office (the National Library building in Molesworth Street, Wellington) is expected to undergo significant change in the next three to five years. The Library is looking to add an extra floor to its Molesworth Street premises which will provide more office space, collection storage, and better facilities for visitors (real and virtual) to the National Library. 2006/07 is the first stage of the building redevelopment and it will focus on the planning aspects of the project (design; building contents; engineering reports). As part of the planning process the Library will be taking account the needs of its clients with disabilities as part of the drive to ensure National Library services are adapted to the changing needs of its users.

The Library’s progress in implementing its Disability Strategy will be monitored by its EEO Monitoring and Advisory Group.

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Level 1 Activities: Universal responsiveness to disability issues

Accessible government information Achieved / available Planned this year N/A
Agency’s websites
  Meet e-government Web-Guidelines 2.1
We will be compliant for the www.natlib.govt.nz site through the website redevelopment which will be re-launched by the end of the year. *Not all the Library’s subsites will be compliant by the end of 2006/07. The SSC has granted the National Library additional time to have our other sites comply. The Library will be submitting a project plan to the SSC for agreement on the final schedule.		   Yes*  
Tested for accessibility for disabled people
For the www.natlib.govt.nz site this is planned as part of the Library’s website redevelopment project.		   Yes  
Adapted to increase accessibility to disabled
For the www.natlib.govt.nz site this is planned as part of our website redevelopment project people		   Yes  
Downloadable files available in HTML, not only PDF
The Library’s collection policy (eg. Published material in electronic formats) is driven by the format in which the material is made available.		     N/A

Other publications and public information available in alternative formats.
(eg key information available in easy-to-read English, Braille, NZSL video clips, captions on TV adverts, etc)

National Library Reference & Research Services proposed actions:

  • Ensure assigned public PCs have text enlargement software
  • That there will be a facility to enlarge print material on screen and/or read text
  • Install an adjustable desk to suit wheelchair use
  • Publicise the facilities at the NL available for those with disabilities via the website and in printed material.

The Library aims for print disabled people to easily access a wide variety of material through the National Library’s Print Disabilities Collection. The National Library is a key provider of audio books to local authority libraries, educational organisations and disability services. This allows these organisations to provide a service to print disabled clients and augmenting the scope and quality of the material available to their clients.

The Library recognises adaptive technologies need to be available in order for collections to be accessible to users. The Library is currently considering the implications of New Zealand Sign becoming an official language of New Zealand in terms of our service delivery.

   Yes but over a 1 to 3 year time period  
Agency makes available alternative forms of contact
Users can contact the National Library by walking in, phone, email and fax.		 Yes    
Accessible government buildings and sites Achieved / available Planned this year N/A

All agency’s buildings and sites meet statutory and regulatory access requirements
(eg NZS 4121)

All owned premises comply.

 Yes    
Agency’s buildings and sites have Building Code compliance certification
All owned premises comply.		 Yes    
Agency’s buildings and sites audited for accessibility by Barrier Free NZ Trust   No  
Agency’s buildings and sites accessible.
  Frontline staff receive training in disability responsiveness
The National Library Training and Development strategy has been reviewed. Frontline National Library staff currently receive appropriate training in disability responsiveness.		 Yes    
Reception areas accessible

National Library reception areas site accessible:

  • Visitor Centre
  • Reference Services
  • ATL reception areas accessible by lift, all doors wide enough for wheelchairs
  • Access to staff areas
 Yes    
Counters lowered for wheelchair users

National Library counters:

  • Front reception lowered
  • Some Alexander Turnbull Counters lowered
  • Other targeted service areas to be lowered as funds permit and taking into account the changes that will be made as a result of the National Library building redevelopment project
   Yes  

Telephone staff familiar with using NZ Relay service1
The National Library does not use the NZ Relay service at present but would consider it in the future if our hearing-impaired clients identify the lack of the NZ Relay service as an issue. To date it has not been identified as a problem.

   No  

Other accommodations (please list)
(eg signage, accessible lifts, hearing loops, etc)

At the main National Library site, in Wellington

  • Hearing loops provided in the Library Auditorium where public events are held.
  • There are accessible lifts to all services and staff areas.
  • Sign - Braille numbers in lifts
  • Car parks are available at Wellington and all major regional Centres.
  • Also in Wellington, lift access to all services is available.
  • There is wheelchair accessible to toilets on the lower ground and ground floors
  • A wheelchair is available for use from the information desk on the ground floor.
   Yes  
User furniture heights:
  • Public access spaces are being addressed on an ongoing basis and as budget permits. Where there are current gaps they will be addressed as part of the building redevelopment.
  • Currently ATL tables can be used with wheelchairs and adjustable chairs have recently been put into the Manuscripts reading room for ergonomic reasons.
   Yes  
Accessible government services Achieved / available Planned this year N/A

Service policies and procedures include reference to disability issues
(eg policies on the use of New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters)

During 2006/07 operational managers will incorporate the Disabilities Issues Toolkit when developing services and procedures (part of the process will be ensuring National Library managers are aware of the toolkit and disability issues in general).

The Library is in the process of developing a report on NZ Sign Language and associated implementation issues.

   Yes  
Information/data on services provided to disabled people is recorded
Statistics are collected on Print Disabilities Collection use.		      
Service staff receive disability responsiveness training
The National Library Training and Development strategy has been reviewed. Training in disability responsiveness has been provided appropriately to service staff.

The Library has financially supported several staff members to undertake New Zealand Sign Language courses. The service we can now provide to deaf clients visiting the Library has been greatly enhanced and is one of many National Library response initiatives to the wider New Zealand Disability Strategy seeking to advance full participation by disabled people.		      

When contracting for new or up-graded IT applications and environments, contracts include a requirement to ensure accessibility by disabled users

   Yes  

Responsive government employment practices

 Achieved / available Planned this year N/A
Human Resource policies and procedures include EEO issues for disabled people
Human Resource policies and procedures (including EEO considerations for disabled people) will be reviewed as part of the National Library Workforce Development Strategy planned for 2006/07.		   Yes  

Recruitment and selection of vacancies responsive to disabled people
(eg vacancies advertised to the widest possible audience, vacancies list alternative forms of contact – phone, fax, email, etc)

National Library vacancies are advertised to wide audience; vacancies list alternative forms of contact – phone, fax, email; policies provide guidance for interviewing applicants with impairment; and there is provision for whanau/ support person to attend interview.

 Yes    
Human Resource staff familiar with EEO issues for disabled people
(eg staff receive disability responsiveness training, staff familiar with the Disability Perspective Tool Kit2, etc)

National Library Human resources staff maintain support to a pan-library EEO Group including responsibility for Disability issues; HR staff have been familiarised with Disability Perspective Tool Kit3 to inform advice to business units.		 Yes    
Disabled staff are supported
  Individual assessments of workplace accommodations or support are provided
Work place assessments are provided including training and support to staff for self-assessment.

The National Library supports the safe and early return to work of injured or incapacitated employees. The staff member with their manager work together to produce a rehabilitation plan, identifying any restrictions or special conditions, limited duties or alternative duties, hours to be worked, to support the rehabilitation process.

Specific responses to individuals needs for assistance in their delivery of work has included the provision of digital mouse and magnified VDU screens.(eg. Providing the right equipment and support has allowed a vision-impaired cataloguer to keep working at the National Library).		 Yes    

Accommodations provided to disabled staff
(eg work station adaptations, special equipment, New Zealand Sign Language interpreters, etc are provided)

The National Library provides work station adaptations, special equipment such as voice recognition software, hearing loops in the auditorium; support staff training in NZ Sign Language.

 Yes    
Disabled staff provided with opportunities for career advancement
The National Library maintains vigilance to ensure barriers to effective participation in the Library’s workforce or for career advancement are removed eg. Participation in Disability Mentoring Day/s.		 Yes    
Agency supports a disabled staff network group
The maintenance of an active Disabled Staff network takes place under the aegis of the National Library EEO Monitoring Advisory Group.		 Yes    
Internal agency newsletters promote the positive presence of disabled staff people
National Library Newsletters (eg. News and Notes) contain articles that support the promotion of the positive contribution of disabled staff/people.		 Yes    
Other support provided to disabled staff (please list)
As well as facilities like car park, the hearing loop in the auditorium, Braille in lifts, disabled staff have access to health rooms within the National Library workplace.		 Yes    

Information and data on disabled people is collected

 Achieved / available Planned this year N/A
Information on agency’s responsiveness to disabled staff people
 

Number of disabled people employed
(we recommend you use the State Service Commission’s EEO disability information)

The National Library employs 27 people who have self-reported they have a disability using the SSC/WHO categories.

 Yes    
Data on disability related accommodations, adaptive equipment, etc, provided by your agency
The National Library collects data on disability-related accommodations, adaptive equipment etc it provides for staff.		 Yes    
Number of disabled people employed under the State Service Commission’s ‘Mainstream programme’4
The National Library currently employs one staff member under the ‘Mainstream Programme’.		 Yes    

Information on agency’s responsiveness to the disabled public
 

Information and data on agency’s contact with the disabled public is recorded
(eg consultation with disabled groups)

As part of the development of the intervention logic for the Next Generation National Library strategy development that will be undertaken in 2006-2007 (and performance indicators) the needs of our clients, including that segment which are disabled, will be considered.

   Yes  
Information/data on agency’s disabled client group recorded
To be considered within the ten-years strategy develop that will be undertaken in 2006-2007.		   Yes  
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Level 2 Activities: Disability perspective included in ordinay work

Disability responsiveness training and resources Planned this year N/A
Disability responsiveness training offered to all staff
(Where training is provided your end of year report should indicate who gave the training, when it was given, and how many staff and what kind of staff attended)

The training and development strategy includes provision of disability responsiveness to staff with direct customer service including the Visitor Centre, the Print Disabilities Unit, etc. Training in NZ Sign Language is supported for interested staff.		 Yes  

Promotion of the Disability Perspective Tool Kit5 within your agency
(eg this website resource distributed to policy and strategic personnel, receiving training or advice on the use of this resource, etc)

HR staff have been familiarised with Disability Perspective Tool Kit6 to advise business units.

 Yes  
Disability perspective included in ordinary work Planned this year N/A
Key documents to incorporate a disability perspective
Directorates will use Disabilities Issues Toolkit when developing services and procedures, as approriate.
 
  • Cabinet papers
 Yes  
  • Policy and procedure papers
 Yes  
  • Strategic documents
    (eg Statement of Intent, Managing for Outcomes and key strategies)
 Yes  
  • Legislation
   No
  • Consultation with disabled people/groups
   No
  • Other (please indicate)
    

Specific steps proposed for 2006/07 include developing a framework for applying a disabilities issues perspective to the development of National Library policy.

    
Implementing the NZ Disability Strategy beyond your agency Planned this year N/A

Agencies, Crown Entities, boards, reference groups, etc, that your agency is responsible for are encouraged to consider disabled people and disability issues
(eg staff/membership supports the inclusion of disabled people, compliance with level 1 activities is encouraged, your agency’s purchase agreements require compliance with the Disability Strategy, and where appropriate requires the provision of any data/information on disability issues/disabled clients)

The National Library will provide the Disabilities Issues Toolkit to advisory bodies as appropriate.

    
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Level 3 Activities: key Disability focused work your agency is leading

1. National Library Print Disabilities Strategy

Description

Work will continue in the following key areas:

  • Services to special needs units and teachers with special needs units developed and promoted
  • Partnership and collaboration opportunities with other units and organisations developed, including with the RNZFB.
  • Investigation around digital delivery of service

Desired Outcome

  • Print disabled people are not disadvantaged in relation to print resources but can easily access a wide variety of material from the National Library’s Print Disabilities Collection through public libraries, educational organisations, and disability services
  • Print disabled people have access to material in the latest formats (digital) from the Print Disabilities Collection through public libraries, educational organisations and disability services

Outcome measures and timeframes

  • In consultation with School Services and targeting special needs units, promotional information supplied to schools
  • Consult with public libraries and RNZFB on developing digital delivery of service
  • Continue to develop relationship with RNZFB for the mutual benefit of both organisations

Links to Strategy objective and action

3 - Improving disability support services
  • Providing resources to support reading and literacy
  • Supporting libraries collections enabling them to provide access to wide variety material
4 - Promoting participation by disabled people in all areas of life
  • Providing resources to support education
  • Improving the quality of living. By providing resources to the print disabled
  • Supporting recreation of the print disabled
5 addressing the diversity of need
  • Providing resources to support education of children and youth

1. For information on NZ Relay service
2. The Disability Perspective Tool Kit is available on the Office for Disability Issues’ website
3. The Disability Perspective Tool Kit is available on the Office for Disability Issues’ website
4. Information on the State Service Commission’s Mainstream Programme
5. The Disability Perspective Tool Kit is available on the Office for Disability Issues’ website
6. The Disability Perspective Tool Kit is available on the Office for Disability Issues’ website

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