Inclusive libraries

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its principles of accessibility, inclusion and participation carry a number of implications for the work done by libraries. As publicly accessible institutions, libraries have an obligation to implement accessibility in accordance with Article 9 of the Convention. They are also perfectly suited to the realisation of the right to access public information, as required by Article 21 of the UNCRPD on the right to freedom of expression. As part of the education system and places of lifelong learning, libraries must also realise the right to inclusive education in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention. They are also explicitly mentioned in Article 30 on the right to equal participation of persons with disabilities in cultural life.