State Library of Queensland (SLQ) is ”all yours”, an inclusive and welcoming place where everyone can connect with ideas and creatively engage with each other. SLQ has a responsibility under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) to ensure people with disability are not discriminated against in the provision of services, programs and facilities. SLQ’s Disability Action Plan 2017 (DAP) demonstrates our proactive and public commitment to taking a lead role in providing accessible and inclusive library and information services for all Queenslanders living with a disability.
State Library is committed to the Queensland Government’s “All Abilities Queensland: opportunities for all” vision from the State Disability Plan 2017-2020. We are currently developing a SLQ Disability Services Plan 2018-2019 which will be available on our website in January 2018.
Image courtesy of State Library of Queensland
SLQ provides equitable services to all clients using our facilities and resources by limiting barriers to access. Amongst many other things we have a range of reserved parking spaces for people with a disability, along with a pick up and drop off zone out the front of the building. SLQ’s lifts are equipped with a spoken voice system and raised tactile and braille signage. In fact, tactile and braille signage can be found throughout the precinct.
Image courtesy of State Library of Queensland
To assist with accessing our resources State library provides a range of adaptive technology and assistive devices. These include computer screen magnification software with speech, large print keyboards, software that transforms scanned text into speech, closed circuit magnifier that enlarges text and images on a screen, desktop electronic magnifier with combined optical character recognition (OCR) and text-to-speech for low vision or no vision users.
Image courtesy of State Library of Queensland
If you want to find out about our full range of adaptive technology and assistive devices you can find information here.
Image courtesy of State Library of Queensland
Our friendly Visitor and Information Services team are happy to show you how to utilise any of the equipment we have. Just book a one-to-one appointment via Our Ask Us online form or via the telephone on 07 3840 7810 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm).
SLQ has exhibitions, events and activities for the public to encourage discussion and debate around a range of topics. For example, the upcoming Queenslanders in Conversation event on Wednesday 1 November 2017 at 6pm will explore how the digital world is merging with the human body and the consequences of this. ABC Brisbane radio presenter Kelly Higgins-Devine will facilitate an open conversation with guest panellists, audience members and online viewers around how technologies are impacting our day-today-lives. Registrations for this event are free and bookings can be made here. A hearing loop is available in all SLQ Auditoriums. This enables those with hearing impairment to take part in our various exhibitions, events and activities.
Image courtesy of State Library of Queensland
Our Business Studio lunch box forum Creating culture within your business by Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick on 22 November 2017 at 12.30pm will have an Auslan interpreter available. Find more information here.
Staff are encouraged to play an active role in the development and implementation of our Disability Services Plan. Within SLQ’s Visitor and information Services team, library technicians play an important role in the day-to-day implementation of our current Disability Action Plan. Our staff member Jennie Nicholl recently presented at the ALIA National Library Technician Symposium 2017 on Bridging the gap: supporting clients with disabilities. Her paper can be found here.
SLQ continues to develop programs and services for all Queenslanders by providing an accessible and inclusive library service that is committed to improving the lives of people with a disability, their families and carers.
Jennie Nicholl
Library Technician
Information Services
More Information:
State Library of Queensland Disability Action Plan - /about-us/corporate/publications/planning/disability-action-plan-2017
State Disability Action Plan - https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/resources/disability/community-involvement/state-plan/all-abilities-queensland-plan.pdf
State Library Access Information - /visit-us/access/disabled-access
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