Barrier-Free Library: How to Make Our Space Accessible

The next seminar, “OpenAccess: Barrier-free and Accessible Library Services,” was held online, organized jointly by the Kherson “Window on America” Center and the Kherson Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Oles Honchar, as part of a project aimed at developing barrier-free and raising awareness among cultural workers and supported by the US Embassy in Ukraine.

Barrier-free services cover various spheres of life — physical, digital, language, informational, and social — and concern each of us. The main goal is to create an environment where people with different needs can equally get services, participate in events, and develop.

The seminar began with an interactive Kahoot quiz, which helped determine the level of participants' awareness about the key concepts of inclusion and barrier-free. The theoretical part discussed the types of barriers, their impact on community life, and the role of cultural institutions in creating a friendly, open space.

During group work, participants assessed their cultural spaces from the perspective of barrier-free accessibility and presented their own ideas for improving accessibility. And the “Island” exercise helped formulate common rules for barrier-free coexistence.

A special emphasis was placed on the topic of web accessibility. The participants learned which requirements library websites must meet to be convenient for all users.

We thank all participants for their activity and desire to make libraries a space for everyone.