Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Johanna Tunon

Committee Member

Barbara Christina

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

Accessibility, Attitudes, Attitudinal barriers, Barriers, Disabilities, Libraries

Abstract

This applied dissertation was designed to examine how library staff understand disability and attitudinal barriers, and to learn how they use this information when planning and implementing library programs and services. Individuals with disabilities are an underserved population in libraries. Although they could benefit from the programs and services that libraries have to offer, individuals with disabilities often experience barriers to participation that prevent them from using libraries. One area that has been understudied is that of the attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities.

Participants were recruited through professional library associations throughout the United States using a screening questionnaire. Library staff who completed the questionnaire were asked if they would also consent to an interview conducted via Zoom. Of the participant who consented to be interviewed, 15 were selected using maximum variation sampling. The researcher conducted semi structured interviews with participants to explore how they understood disability and attitudinal barriers, and how they applied this information to their jobs in libraries. The results of the study showed that participants were aware of attitudinal barriers, but attitudinal barriers were not often considered during the planning and implementation of library programs and services.

Download
Share Feedback

Share

COinS