Accessibility

We are dedicated to providing easy access to resources and services that are inclusive and that respect our community’s diversity. We demonstrate a strong commitment to accessibility across all of our branches. 

In 2014/15 the library corporation worked with the City of Greater Geelong and Scope Victoria to develop a bespoke library Communication Board and iPad app. These tools allow improved communication between staff and customers who are unable to speak, have difficulty understanding instructions or who have speech which is sometimes difficult to understand.

Some of the other accessibility features include:

• iPads available for loan with various inbuilt accessibility features.
• DAISY players (digital talking book formats) are also available for loan.
• The VCE collection provides (where available) the print book, audiobook and DVD to cater to different learning styles.
• A collection of books which have features like tinted pages to reduce visual stress and a font to help minimise barriers to comprehension for people with dyslexia are available.
• The collection includes downloadable ebooks and eAudiobooks and Overdrive has an extra feature which can be enabled to assist people with dyslexia.
• Physical Large Print and Audiobooks are also available.
• Some online databases have closed captioning on videos, page translation to other languages, read aloud function and the ability to increase the text size.
• The website is built to comply with the WCAG 2.0 standards and uses a range of mark-up, visual contrast and structuring techniques to enhance accessibility.
• Available at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, is an accredited ‘Changing Places’ disability change facility. This facility includes a height adjustable change bench which is suitable for adults. There is a constantly charging ceiling hoist with a maximum weight limit of up to 180kg, a centrally located peninsula toilet, non-slip flooring,
  grab rails and an automatic door with a 950mm opening.

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre hosts many enhanced accessibility features.