Accessibility
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Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Our online experience needs to be welcoming and inclusive to people with a wide range of abilities. This includes those who rely on assistive technology to access online services and individuals with cognitive and digital-literacy challenges.
An important part of the library’s commitment to those using assistive technology includes the implementation of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA on our website, which includes assistive features such as:
- Screen reader accessibility through the use of live text and alt image descriptions
- Responsive display, programmed to respond according to screen and text size
- Accessible design, which includes meeting contrast and colour standards, as well as adapting the content so that it is easily digested by the user
- Light-loading media so that the website can be accessed by poorer Internet connections
Services that help you
Western Counties Regional Library offers a variety of materials of particular interest to persons with a physical, mental, intellectual, learning, or sensory impairment.
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Physical Items
- Large print books
- Audiobooks & eBooks
- Portable DAISY talking book players
- Videos and DVDs with descriptive text
- Captioned videos and DVDs
* Some of these services require patrons to sign a print-disability self-declaration form. Please visit one of our branches for further details.
Downloadable Titles
Home Delivery Service
* Some of these services require patrons to sign a print-disability self-declaration form. Please contact or visit one of our branches for further details.
CELA & NNELS services for patrons with print disabilities
Western Counties Regional Library offers a variety of services for patrons with print disabilities, through CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access) and NNELS (National Network for Equitable Library Service).
These services provide downloadable audio and electronic book formats (DAISY, MP3, e-text), described video, and braille to Nova Scotians with print disabilities. People can sign up to download books at home to their own devices or computers.
CELA also offers home delivery of materials and a collection of titles available on-site in our branches.
What is defined as a “print disability”?
We are using the definition from the Canadian Copyright Act which defines a perceptual disability (i.e. print disability) as:
- a disability that prevents or inhibits a person from reading or hearing a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work in its original format, and includes such a disability resulting from
- severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes,
- the inability to hold or manipulate a book, or
- an impairment relating to comprehension
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What devices are compatible?
CELA & NNELS titles can be used on a wide variety of devices, including computers/laptops, iPad, iPhone, Android devices, MP3 players, DAISY readers, and can also be burned to CDs.
How can I get registered to start using these accessibility services?
If you meet the criteria for having a print disability as defined above, you will need to complete a Self-Declaration form at your local library. If you are unable to complete the form, you may have a “competent authority” complete it for you.
You will then be assigned a library barcode and PIN with a “patron type” that will allow you to access the materials via:
- NNELS website – Includes tutorials on downloading NNELS titles and other useful information.
- CELA website – Includes tutorials on downloading CELA titles and other useful information.
Already registered? Log in to login with your library card.
The Library Accessibility Plan
We invite you to read the Interregional Advisory Committee for Library Accessibility (IACLA) Plan. This work has been undertaken by the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL), Cape Breton Regional Library (CBRL), Colchester-East Hants Public Library (CEHPL), Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL), Cumberland Public Libraries (CPL), and Western Counties Regional Library (WCRL).
The plan reflects our desire to be responsive to the needs of people with various abilities. We aspire for our libraries to be welcoming, inclusive, and accepting public spaces to all people. Through this work, all Nova Scotians will have full and equitable access to spaces, services, resources, programs, and employment/volunteer opportunities offered by public libraries.
Read the plan by clicking on this link.
Interregional Advisory Committee for Library Accessibility (IACLA) Activity Reports
Contact Us About Accessibility
We need your help identifying, preventing, and eliminating barriers to people with disabilities in our services, initiatives, and facilities.
If you, or someone you know, is dealing with a barrier to library service please let us know.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about accessibility and the library, please contact us. This information will help us to improve. The library will keep a record of all questions, complaints and concerns submitted.
The library will respond within a reasonable amount of time. Before responding, the library management will consult with the staff person or organization responsible for the area of inquiry. The library’s response will contain reasons for the decision. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to use the library.