Osoby niewidome i słabowidzące w bibliotekach publicznych. Od segregacyjnego do inkluzywnego modelu funkcjonowania – analiza warunków dostępności

Emilia Śmiechowska-Petrovskij

doi:10.21697/fp.2025.2.17

Published: 2025-12-30

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025)

Blind and Low-Vision Individuals in Public Libraries: A Transition from Segregated Services to an Inclusive Operational Model – an Analysis of Accessibility Conditions

Emilia Śmiechowska-Petrovskij

Pedagogical Forum

Section: Colloquia

https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2025.2.17

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the accessibility conditions of public libraries for blind and low-vision individuals in Poland. A historical–legal analysis of library services for this group (including an examination of legal acts, statistical data, scholarly literature, and implementation practices) demonstrates that the segregation-based model that dominated public library operations for over 50 years is being replaced by an inclusive model. The article discusses the accessibility requirements that public libraries must meet in order to implement this model in practice. Fulfilling these conditions will enable the effective implementation of the provisions outlined in the Library Act regarding the “universal right to access resources” and “universal accessibility” for all users, including those with visual impairments.

Keywords:

Accessibility, public libraries, blind individuals, low-vision individuals, accessibility legislation

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Śmiechowska-Petrovskij, E. (2025). Blind and Low-Vision Individuals in Public Libraries: A Transition from Segregated Services to an Inclusive Operational Model – an Analysis of Accessibility Conditions . Pedagogical Forum, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2025.2.17

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