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Hanae Ikeshita, Sagami Women's University, JapanAbstract
Print disability refers to an individual’s difficulty in reading printed materials due to factors such as perceptual or physical disabilities, visual impairments, age-related vision loss, and illiteracy stemming from cultural and social backgrounds. In June 2019, Japan enacted the Reading Barrier-Free Act to encourage public libraries to collect and provide accessible reading materials. This study investigated the accessibility of library resources for children with print disabilities in Japanese public libraries. We focused on public library conditions that facilitate reading among children with print disabilities, the current state of accessibility, and the availability of material collections. The survey findings revealed that regarding children's reading environments, specific measures, such as the use of pictograms and color-coded headings by subject area, were implemented to help children locate the desired materials easily. Concerning support for children with print disabilities, efforts were made to procure and lend accessible resources, including Braille materials, large-print books, and audio recordings, alongside the establishment of "Apple Shelf." To comply with the Reading Barrier-Free Act, libraries adopted measures including the development of accessible material collections, installation of user aids such as the "Apple Shelf," "Easy User Guide," and "Communication Board," and provision of reading support devices, including reading trackers and magnifying devices. Ongoing challenges include the need for staff development and establishment of long-term strategies to support the continuous acquisition and dissemination of accessible resources.
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